Photos: Because It Happened! Pink Up The Pace 5k, St. Augustine

October 6, 2018: If it's the first Saturday in October, it must be time for Pink Up The Pace 5K through the streets of St. Augustine, Florida! 

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Pink Up The Pace raises funds to assist those affected by breast cancer and to bring awareness to the community. The annual 5K coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The organization was founded by Cindy Ortiz Chaconas and Amy Kaelin, both breast cancer survivors. Over two thousand participants were expected for the 2018 Pink Up The Pace 5k, held on October 6, 2018. 

No matter what your goal is -- to run fast, improve your 5k time, or just to finish the 3.1 miles -- one thing is certain: this is a fun and loving event for a great cause. 

The morning began before sunrise, as volunteers set up tables at Francis Field, adjacent to the Visitors Information Center and parking garage in downtown St. Augustine. Music filled the air, as bottles of water and bagels filled tables and tubs. A warm-up Zumba class, led by Funkytown Fitness, got bodies moving and feet tapping:

Gator Tales: St. Augustine Alligator Farm Croctoberfest was a Walk in the Park

Local lager from Dog Rose Brewing, St. Augustine,
at St. Augustine Alligator Farm's first Croctoberfest

October 3, 2018: Celebrating 125 years as a beloved tourist and educational attraction, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park hosted its first beerfest on Friday night, September 28, 2018. The inaugural Croctoberfest brought out both four-legged and two-legged creatures, and even some who moved around in other ways. A cozy and intimate brew-at-the-zoo beer-and-food event, Croctoberfest took place throughout the park, as guests roamed through various habitats sipping beer, listening to music, engaging and watching the zoo inhabitants, and chatting with conservation organizations. "We believe the event was a great success .. with over $12,000 raised for the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group and Malayan Gharials," recapped Trevor Mia, of the park's Education Department, after the event. 

The fest was unique in that a number of local conservation organizations were set up alongside Florida brewery and local food vendors. The tree-lined backdrop provided a beautiful evening setting, and the zoo residents also provided entertainment. 

Educational activities began before the doors opened, as zoo staff introduced two gharials to attendees outside the event entrance. 

making HEADlines: Bog Brewing Bottle Release

making HEADlines:

BOG BREWING, ST. AUGUSTINE, SET FOR SECOND BOTTLE RELEASE DECEMBER 16

December 10, 2017

St. Augustine, FL: 

Seven days after making its inaugural beerfest appearance at the Florida Brewers Guild ("FBG") Barrel-Aged, Sour & Cider Fest, Bog Brewing Company is set for its second bottle release on December 16, at its tap room in St. Augustine. 


Bog Brewing will release its "Light in the Dark" Belgian Tripel, aged in bourbon barrels from St. Augustine Distillery. The brewery introduced its new barrel-aged beer at the FBG Fest in Jacksonville on December 9. In a statement, the brewery described the beer as having "a golden color and vibrant bourbon aromas, with a warming finish," at 9.9 ABV.  "I love the interaction of wood and beer, because it creates flavors and nuances that you can't get from a stainless steel tank," said Steve Mendoza, co-owner and head brewer. Aging the beer in St. Augustine Distillery's bourbon barrels is a "match made in heaven," and "it will only get better with age."

St. Augustine Breweries Light Things Up With Nights of Pints

November 2, 2017: The four St. Augustine breweries are lighting things up this holiday season by introducing the first "Nights of Pints" celebration of local beer in the historic city during the annual Nights of Lights tradition. 

Ancient City Brewing, Bog Brewing Company, Old Coast Ales and Dog Rose Brewing have teamed up to highlight the city's craft beer presence and give locals and visitors alike a fun way to experience their breweries -- and, receive a complimentary pint of beer at each. To participate, just purchase the special-edition Nights of Pints commemorative t-shirt ($25) at any of the four breweries, get your beer passport, and get ready to explore!

Dog Rose Brewing, St. Augustine: It's Opened Up!

Dog Rose Brewing, seen at sunset

October 29, 2017: 
Dog Rose Brewing quietly opened just off of downtown St. Augustine Friday night. After months of working on construction, permitting, and licensing matters, owner Doug Murr brewed the first batches of beer. Opening weekend features six house beers on tap, with more on the way. 

The area's newest brewery offers a spacious, open tap room and might be described as casual-upscale. The former art gallery property has been transformed into a comfortable, intimate, yet friendly and interactive local bar, with beers that will appeal to any type of palate. 

A Rose by the Name of Dog Rose Brewing to Open in St. Augustine

Dog Rose Brewing, St. Augustine

(photo by Linda Johnson)

"Handcrafted." That's the word Doug Murr uses to describe his new brewery, Dog Rose Brewing Co., as it moves toward opening later this summer in the historic Lincolnville area of downtown St. Augustine. While still undergoing construction, the brewery is all about attention to details and giving brewery guests the experience and beers that they want. The beer, the bar, the tables - all handcrafted - says Doug.  

That's a First: Bog Brewing Company To Celebrate First Anniversary March 4 With First Bottle Release

[UPDATE, 2/26/2017:  The Anniversary Ale referenced below will be subject to a two-bottle limit, at $15 each. Sales of bottles will begin at the back door of the tap room on March 4, 2017.  Cheers!]

On March 4, 2016, brothers Steve Mendoza and John French quietly opened Bog Brewing Company on West King St. just off of US 1 and downtown St. Augustine (see pre-opening story from this site here).  The brothers opened the 3.5 barrel brewery and tap room in a building that housed a former drugstore and a pawn shop with the intention of bringing a neighborhood brewery to the area. Over the course of the first year in its young existence, they have done just that. Walk into Bog Brewing anytime, and guests are immediately made to feel welcome while enjoying a glass of house-made craft beer (and, yes, this writer speaks from experience).  

Old Coast Ales, St. Augustine, Set to Share the Beer on Opening Day, February 1

1/31/2017: For Jon Boisclair and Matt Hooker, the past three-plus years of planning, building and crafting their local, community-inspired brewery are about to give way to the reality of opening their doors to the public. 

On January 30, Old Coast Ales, 300 Anastasia Blvd., held a "soft opening" preview night and will make it official on Wednesday, February 1, when the long-awaited Opening Day finally arrives. 

Old Coast Ales: Riding Into St. Augustine on a Bicycle Built for Brew

[Ed. Note: I am thrilled to have been the first writer and site to publish a preview story about Old Coast Ales.  The new brewery held a soft opening on January 30,2017, and will open to the public on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.]

The wheels are in motion for Florida's newest brewery to open during Nights of Lights in the nation's Oldest City. Inspired by the St. Augustine community and a passion for brewing locally-made beer, Old Coast Ales is gearing up for an opening date by the end of 2016. 

Opening Day in St. Augustine: Bog Brewing Company

It may be Spring Training elsewhere in the Sunshine State, but yesterday, St. Augustine witnessed its own Opening Day: Bog Brewing Company officially opened its doors to the public. Serving up six original house craft beers, owners Steve Mendoza, John France and Jeffery Hayes unlocked the front door at 218 West King St. to guests already waiting to be among the first customers to sample their beers. With a soft opening scheduled for noon, Steve let those folks in a few minutes early, and the steady stream of well-wishers continued throughout the day. I arrived shortly before 4pm, and I found the place humming with guests at the bar and tables. If you haven’t heard about the newest addition to the local North Florida brewery scene, take a look at my earlier story from a couple of weeks ago, where I got a sneak peek before opening day.

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. 

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.  

Now Twinkling and Dazzling in St. Augustine: Nights of Lights!

'Tis the Season..... for lots of things, including the acclaimed "Nights of Lights" celebration in Downtown St. Augustine.  On Nov. 21, the downtown came alive with the illumination of 3 million+ tiny white lights and a dazzling Christmas tree in the Plaza. After some early rain, the ponchos came off.  A few thousand other folks also witnessed the holiday spectacular.  I worked my way through the crowd right there in front of the tree. Check out one of my YouTube videos here:

Twinkle, Twinkle.... Hey, Lighten Up! St. Augustine Switches on Nights of Lights Nov. 21 (From the Perspective of A Holiday-Frenzied Local Beer Blogger)

Anyone who knows me personally knows that I'm a bit festive, especially at this time of year. I'm the the midst of Holiday decorating at my house, and there haven't been any casualties involving ladders, snowmen, reindeer or Santas.  The Pilgrims and turkeys are getting along nicely with the elves and string lights waiting patiently in the background for their turn to shine.

St. Augustine Distillery Releases Rum Discovery Series Sept. 3

It's St. Augustine's 450th Birthday, and celebrations abound in the city from Sept. 4-8.  As I walked around the downtown yesterday, stages were being prepped, yellow-and-red buntings were draped on buildings, and the tour trolleys were humming along.  What better time to visit the St. Augustine Distillery Co.  It appears that quite a few others had the same thought, as the distillery hosted a steady stream of visitors. 

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. 

Hey, Have You Heard?....Brewz |n| Dawgz Is Now Open in St. Augustine......

Ok, I've known about it for a few months, and I have to admit that I was "stalking" the opening of this place (in a good way).  But, hey, it's a craft beer bar, with some really legit ownership, so, of course, I was waiting...and waiting....

Fill 'er Up at Obi's Fillin' Station on the Beach

Cue the Beach Boys, Dino the Dinosaur, Happy Days, and Grease.  They say "enter empty, leave full" ... and, trust me, you will.  Get your appetites revved up and cruise on over to Obi's Fillin' Station, now open on A1A Beach Blvd. at St. Augustine Beach.....

Ready to "Flip Flop Til You Drop"?

Walk it or ride it.  Enjoy food and drink specials. Support local St. Augustine Beach businesses.  And, last but not least, support a local charity.  Grab your special t-shirt -- then put your creative touches on it -- put on your flip-flops, and get ready to "Flip Flop Til You Drop"!