A Firkin Good Time at First Magnitude Third Anniversary

Driving into Gainesville last Saturday, the skies were dark except for the bright lightning bolts that flashed up ahead toward the downtown. Knowing that parking at First Magnitude Brewing would spill over onto nearby Main Street for what was expected to be another rockin' Anniversary party, a rain poncho and umbrella sat ready for duty. In what may have been a case of celestial intervention, however, the rain clouds decided to move on, clearing the way for First Magnitude Brewing's Third Anniversary party inside and outside. (Caution: lots of photos and fun in this story!)

First of Its Kind Collaboration: Florida-Grown Hops to Your Glass from First Magnitude Brewing and Florida Hops Consortium

Photo by Linda Johnson, 4/23/2017

[Ed. Note and Update, 4/23/2017:  I am thrilled to drink the historic Apopka Hop Pale Ale, the focus of this story. Made with six hops, the beer is floral, with citrus and earthy notes. It's a smooth-drinking tasty brew. According to First Magnitude, the in-house release on April 6, featuring the beer in bottles and on draft, sold out within a couple of hours.] ....

Whether or not you realize it when you drink that beer, beer and science just go together. On April 6, First Magnitude Brewing Company (Gainesville) will release a limited batch of a true original pale ale. The beer is not only a product of First Magnitude's skilled brewers led by John Denny, but it's also a testament to advances in scientific research. When the brewery releases its "Apopka Hop Pale Ale," the public will get a taste of the first beer brewed exclusively with 100% Florida-grown hops.

Thankful for Florida Beer!

As the calendar winds down toward the end of the year, things never seem to slow down. Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and the Holiday Season is starting to get in full swing: decorating, parties, time with families (either loathe it or love it), travel, Holiday lights, food (too much), drinks (probably not enough).

Star-Gazing With a Mermaid: First Magnitude Brewing Springs to Second Anniversary

[Ed. note 8/21/2016: The Second Anniversary Party was an awesome event. Huge crowds attended all day long, and the tap list was phenomenal! Check out my photos on social media and in the Photos tab on this website. Congrats to the crew!]

It seems like ... well ... just last year about this time, I wrote about First Magnitude Brewing Company's first anniversary bash in Gainesville: an all-day party with special tappings, music, and a whole bunch of enthusiastic beer fans inside the tap room and outside in the beer garden. It's now a year later, and First Magnitude Brewing celebrates its Two-Year Anniversary on Saturday, August 20. What can you expect? How about an all-day party with special tappings, music, and a whole bunch of enthusiastic beer fans! So, let's get ready to do this again ......

Non-Stop Beer Weekend in Gainesville (Fla): Brewery Visits, Hogtown Craft Beer Fest, 5k

When the calendar rolls around to mid-April, you know it's time for Gainesville Craft Beer Week and its signature event, the HOGTOWN CRAFT BEER FEST!

The fifth edition of the Fest marked my fourth year in a row attending (last year's recap here), with my first two times behind the tables as a vendor. 

Organized by the Hogtown Brewers Home Brew Club, this was the second year the fest was held at the Tioga Town Center. While the Fest was the main reason for my visit to Gainesville this time around, that wasn't all -- it was a Beer Weekend in Hogtown -- from late Friday afternoon thru late Sunday morning. So, at the outset, you just might want to put this fest on your to-do list for 2017 when they'll do it again for the sixth time, because it's one you don't want to miss.

A Happy First for First Magnitude Brewing

It was more than a one-day party!

Well, I can't believe it's been a year already!  First Magnitude Brewing Company celebrated its First Anniversary last Saturday, August 22, and I had this one marked on the calendar for a while.  It's a pretty easy drive from North Florida to Gainesville, and it wasn't too tough of a decision to make this trip.  After all, they're some pretty cool people over there, the brewery and tap room provide a fun environment, and I knew that they were putting together an awesome tap list to complement their very tasty core beers (Siren Blonde Ale, 72 Pale Ale, Drift English Mild Ale, Ursa IPA).

Back in April, I made the drive to Gainesville for my third annual visit to Hogtown Craft Beer Fest (see blog post here).  Being that First Magnitude was the new brewery kid in Gainesville, there was no doubt that I would also include a stop there. I was really glad I did -- check out my initial blog post here. 

First Magnitude Brewing Springs onto the Florida Beer Map

When First Magnitude Brewing Co. in Gainesville sprang onto the Florida craft beer scene last year (opening in August 2014), you had to wonder what was behind the name and logo. That's a story in itself. 

Visit the brewery's website, or even better yet -- visit the brewery itself -- and you learn that North Central Florida is home to the "First Magnitude" Springs, some of the most dynamic freshwater springs in the world.   And, what's more, a glance up in the sky reveals the brightest star, called a "first magnitude" star. Drawing from these concepts, the brewery's mermaid logo combines the celestial with the marine. The brewery's website links to Florida's Springs, where you can learn more about the natural phenomenon. (Now, go back to my lead sentence....see what I did there?)