Making HEADlines:

March 5, 2017: BEST FLORIDA BEER CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALISTS ANNOUNCED AT BREWERS' BALL IN TAMPA

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 ......

What Kind of IPA Are You, Anyway? Say Cheers to IPA Day!

American. West Coast, East Coast, Midwest. English. 

Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Amarillo, Simcoe. 

Citrus, Piney, Floral, Fruity, Tropical. 

Double, Imperial, Session, Black, Red, or just "plain" ol'. 

From Palate Wrecker to Heady Topper to Sculpin. 

Pliny the Elder to Florida Man.

Talk about some of our favorite things. We could be talking about a certain holiday in December, or we could be talking about ... Yeah, you guessed it: we're talkin' IPA!

I've Been to Hell'n Blazes Brewing and Back

What a difference three months makes! I visited Hell ‘n Blazes Brewing Company  (Melbourne, Florida) in March when the brewery was still under construction, but beginning to take on its personality (check out that preview post HERE for all the background info). Fermenters were being moved around in the brewhouse, the bar didn’t have a top yet, and the construction dust was far from settled. It was obvious, though, that when finished, this would be a pretty impressive place, and that a substantial amount of manhours (along with blood, sweat and tears) had been poured into this project over the past year. A few weeks ago, the brewery announced its Opening Day as Friday, June 24 (5pm), and I’m fairly sure (oh, just a wild guess) that there were quite a few others besides me who marked that date on their calendars. 

It's Getting Hot Around Here .. June/July Events

Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest, July 23

WHEW! Summer officially started only a few days ago, but temperatures are climbing, it's almost July already, and things are really heating up! Time to grab a cold Florida brew? Yeah. 

So, take a look at the Tap This Calendar Page for local beer tappings and such around North Florida, AND, check out the BeerSphere Page for beer fests and special events around Florida (both are constantly updated).  

Where? North Florida, Daytona, Space Coast, South Florida, and I even have an Orlando event listed right now. Here's a sampling of what your next road trip (or two) might look like. And, hey, like you haven't heard this before: get a room (so you don't have to drive back). 

So Close, You Can Taste It (This Weekend): Preview of Wicked Barley Brewing Company

[Ed. Note, 5/29/2016: So as not to confuse anyone, these tastings occurred Friday/Saturday, May 27 & 28, 2016. But, read on, because you're going to want to go here when it opens. The beers offered at the tastings were on point: A good mix of styles, and some creativity. I loved the Black Rye IPA (in fact, that was my new No. 1800 beer checkin, a special occasion!) See photos on social media sites. See also, my story on the Beer Bloggers Conference, which included a visit here. Yeah, this is gonna be good .....][Opening Day is July 30, 2016, at 11am. They'll be serving food, along with beer from 20 guest taps until they get their federal brewer's license.]

Happy American Craft Beer Week! A Few of My Favorite Things......

Cheers to American Craft Beer Week!
National Toast: Thursday, May 19, 8pm (ET)

HAPPY AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK!  I thought I would take a look back over the past year at some of my favorite things ..... BREWERY VISITS!  In case you missed any of these, sit back, grab your snifter or pint glass, and get to know some of these Florida breweries (these are the ones I posted, with the most recent  on the back end). Trust me on this, you'll want to go to each of these!  I think I want to go back already! More on the way as I continue to make my around the Sunshine State in search of local beer!

The Round-up: A Round at TPC Sawgrass, and Have a Round in Jax Beach Afterwards! Round 1: The Players Championship®

It's now a tradition in the month of May. Last year, 191,000 people attended.  It's the busiest week of the year at Jacksonville International Airport.  Over 400 businesses take part through corporate hospitality and tickets. It reaches one billion total households via broadcast in 226 countries. It generates significant funds for charities: in 2015, over $8.1M raised for over 300 local organizations. The tournament record is 264 (-24) by Greg Norman in 1994.*  

Two words, that's all you need: THE PLAYERS®. 

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.

See You Under the Bridge: Riverside Craft Beer Fest Set for Saturday in Jacksonville

Get ready, Jacksonville! The area's first large-scale beer fest of the year is coming your way Saturday, February 27.  Here's the what, where, when, who, how and why. It's a big party along the river that you won't want to miss!

What is it?  Third Annual Riverside Craft Beer Fest presented by Riverside Rotary Club of Jacksonville.  

Where is it?  Under the Fuller-Warren Bridge at the home of the Riverside Arts Market, Jacksonville.

When is it? It's this Saturday, February 27. An early VIP entry starts at 3pm, with General Admission at 4pm. Fest runs til 7pm. 

Shhhhh! ..... Bog Brewing Company Ready to Open in St. Augustine

EDITOR'S NOTE: OPENING DAY IS FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 12pm
See also: my follow-up story from March 5
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Quietly, over on West King St. in St. Augustine, just west of the US 1/King St. intersection which leads to downtown, three guys who love beer have been hard at work converting a building which previously housed a former pawn shop and an old drugstore/soda shop into a craft brewery and community tap room. 

From the outside, you may not have noticed much going on at 218 W. King St., but inside, the transformation is just about complete, and within the next couple of weeks or so, you'll be able to visit and taste the small batch brews crafted by Bog Brewing Company. 

DeLand Craft Beer Fest: Rain Didn't Dampen Our Spirits

Cloudy with a chance of rain ... later, after 5pm.  Saturday's early forecast for DeLand, Florida didn't include a postcard-perfect sunny Florida day from the get-go, but it looked like the rain would at least hold off until just about the time that Volusia Beer Week's DeLand Craft Beer Fest would wrap up.  Uh-uh. Around mid-day, Mother Nature decided to exercise her prerogative to change her mind for some reason, and she opened the clouds upon central Florida (sometimes I think she really needs a beer).  By this time, there was a line of patrons awaiting entry to the fest in downtown DeLand. Umbrellas popped up, and those stylish plastic rain ponchos became the wardrobe of the day (be prepared: always carry one).  But, hey, this was a beer fest.... and, a little rain wouldn't dampen the spirits of these beer-drinking fans. So, over 1000 of us picked up our fest mugs and made our way through the entry tent and proceeded onto Georgia Ave.

Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival 2016: South Florida Sure Can Throw a Party!

Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida -- Sunday, January 31, 2016, 10am:

the day after......

Other than the sound from a couple of leafblowers cleaning up around the grounds, it was quiet. Empty. Someone walking a dog.  A small flock of ibises wandering around the grassy areas.

Before I left Jupiter to head back to North Florida, I had to get an "after" photo. What a difference a day makes! Tents, tables and fences were packed up during the night. Less than 24 hours earlier, the area was bustling with festival attendees, beer vendors, lively music, and....BEER! 

Hello, Florida BeerFest Season 2016!

It's the last week in January.  While that might be equated with the usual two-week cold snap (Florida chill - who else has needed a big ol' blanket recently?), it also means that BeerFest Season is here in Florida!  The new year started off with Key Largo Brew on the Bay and Funky Buddha Brewing's Maple Bacon Coffee Porter Day (see my MBCPDay blog post!). 

Check out my BeerSphere™ Events page for beerfests and other special events throughout the year (it's constantly updated; I even put links in to make it easy for ya). Include beerfests in your travel plans! (along with golf, scuba, beach bumming, birdwatching, concerts, etc. - but somehow I always find time for the beer!)

We Got Funky: Maple Bacon Coffee Porter Day 2016 at Funky Buddha Brewery

I didn't attend the prior two Maple Bacon Coffee Porter Day festivals hosted by Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park.  Last year (2015), the event fell about a week before an already-scheduled weekend trip for a concert in Fort Lauderdale. I had tracked the release dates of the prized MBCP around Lauderdale, and I was thrilled to find it on tap at American Social.  By the way, if you haven't figured it out yet, not only does this beer have its own Day, it has its own acronym (MBCP; it IS a mouthful). 

The Point Is ..... When In South Florida, Make a Visit to Copperpoint Brewing Co.

About a week before the Holidays 2015, I found myself in South Florida for a weekend -- you know, that drive south down I-95 that I like to do (mainly for beer, but there are other things, too).  On Saturday night, I thought I'd stop at Copperpoint Brewing Company in Boynton Beach.  I had heard good things about the place, and it was "on my list."  Before I start rambling, let me just say that the "point" about this is .... you should visit here, too.  That said, here we go......

Happy New Year!

Here's to a Beachin' New Year .....

See you at a beer event around Florida .....

Cheers!

Peace, Love, Pints®

Linda

Engine 15 Brewing Company to Introduce Engine 15 Ciders and Meads

The big macro guys aren't the only ones making some news and shaking things up in the brewery world in the latter days of 2015.  

Big, breaking news from ENGINE 15 BREWING COMPANY in Jacksonville Beach hit social media last night in a short statement asking if anyone is ready for something new in 2016, accompanied by a new logo:

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

May your pint glasses, steins and mugs be full of Christmas cheer!

Thank you!

Peace, Love, Pints®

Linda

It Was Cookin' at Brewz n Dawgz' First Beer Dinner with Cigar City Brewing

When I first found out a couple of months ago about the first Beer Dinner being planned at Brewz n Dawgz in St. Augustine (December 22), I was intrigued.  After all, how does a menu featuring brats/hot dogs offer the culinary variety and flair usually associated with these pairings?  As I saw the food menu come together, my interest was further piqued (not to mention that it really sounded good). And, then I got the lowdown from owner Roger Lim on the beer menu (exclusive, I might add).  Nothing like a new place hosting its first beer dinner with some creative brews from the most recognizable craft brewery in the state of Florida, Cigar City Brewing.