Hogtown Craft Beer Fest, Gainesville 2019: An Afternoon of March Merry-ness

First beer of the fest: local First Magnitude Brewing
Travelers Czech Pilsner: off to a crisp start!
(photo: Linda Johnson/BrewNymph)

March 26, 2019: The Hogtown Brewers Homebrew Club -- that self-proclaimed "merry band of beer enthusiasts with a homebrewing problem" -- once again hosted the 8th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Festival in Gainesville on Saturday, March 23.  The popular beer-sampling fest returned to the Alachua County Fairgrounds for its second year.  

Just under 100 breweries (including several homebrew clubs), arranged in the signature "pods" generally grouped by geographic location, poured beer of all styles. In addition to the large number of Florida breweries on site, regional, national and even international breweries offered beer to attendees at the sold-out fest (hey, we tried to warn you ahead of time: don't snooze on this in 2020!).  

For those who just couldn't wait to see the fest beer list, or who wanted to plan ahead, there was an app for that, including a list of breweries by name and fest location right there in the palm of your hand. At the fest entry, pick up the printed program and fest glass and ....  go! 

All's Fair at Hogtown Craft Beer Fest 2018, Gainesville

April 26, 2018:  It had: over 100 breweries, six homebrew clubs, 47 special tappings, nine pods, food trucks, music under the pavilion, plenty of on-site parking ... even rain and sunshine. The 7th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Fest presented by the Hogtown Brewers on April 21 pretty much had it all at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, a new fest venue this year. 

This was my sixth trek to Hogtown, and the beertrip once again included more than a beerfest -- it's a Gainesville weekend! 

Cypress & Grove Brewing, Gainesville: Cool New Place

August 29, 2017:
It seems that new breweries are always "cool," but Cypress & Grove Brewing, which opened its brewery just this past June in a former Gainesville ice plant, gives new meaning to "cool brewery."  

The brewery is located just a bit north of downtown Gainesville and University of Florida, two blocks off of Main Street, at the intersection of NW 4th Street and NW 10th Avenue. Unless you're a map geek, that may not be especially significant by itself, but those cross-streets were formerly named Cypress and Grove. Ah, yes, the name! 

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!)

Beers in a Pod: 6th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Fest

What had 113 breweries, 5 homebrew clubs/shops, around 368 beers, ciders and meads, and 10 pods all in one place? Answer: the Sixth Annual Hogtown Craft Brewers Festival, presented by the Hogtown Brewers in Gainesville, Florida on Saturday, April 22!

Craft beer enthusiasts descended upon Gainesville's Tioga Town Center for the 1pm start of the annual beerfest that features breweries from all across Florida, in addition to regional, national and international breweries. Weather was perfect for beer sampling, with a mix of sun and clouds. What more could you ask for?

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.

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?)

It Poured at Hogtown Craft Beer Festival (Beer, that is...)

The forecast for the 4th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Festival last Saturday, April 18, called for rain and storms.  Little by little, hour by hour, the forecast improved, and it turned out to be a beautiful day for some beer sampling and meeting new and old friends.