Due South Brewing Trench Day 2018: A Voyage Through Renovations and Dark Brews

Mariana Trench® Imperial Stout 2018

January 23, 2018: In the Western Pacific Ocean lies the deepest part of the world's oceans, the "Mariana Trench," reaching a depth of over 36,000 feet. Inspired by that depth and darkness, Due South Brewing Co. brews its Mariana Trench® Imperial Stout only once each year. And, what better way to celebrate the award-winning beer than by hosting an annual "Trench Day!" 

On Saturday, January 20, Due South Brewing released its 2018 version of the beer at its fourth annual Trench Day beerfest. Held onsite at the brewery, the beerfest is an "intimate" gathering of around 300. Not only does this beerfest take place indoors so that weather is not an issue, the limited number of tickets provides attendees with an enjoyable experience with plenty of options for seating, standing or moving around -- and, without long beer lines!

IRMA IPA Lands in Jax

IRMA IPA 
(Photo: Linda Johnson)

November 28, 2017: 
It's a name that no one in Florida will soon - if ever - forget. Irma. By the time the mammoth hurricane reached the southern part of the state in mid-September 2017, it had already inflicted severe damage to island nations. As it began and ended its this-way-and-that-way trek through the Sunshine State, all of Florida was affected in one way or another, sadly with some areas sustaining major damage and impacts never before seen. From the pre-storm warnings and computer forecasting models, evacuations, flooding and wind, caravans of out-of-state utility vehicles, water shortages, to repair and recovery, it was an experience made of historical proportions, and for some, the story still has not reached its final chapter. 

REVIEW-A-BREW:

Beer: Big Deal Double IPA, 9.5 ABV
Style: Double IPA
Brewery: Darwin Brewing Co., Bradenton FL

Double IPAs (also known as "Imperial IPAs") generally consist of "more." As in more malt, more hops, and, more strength, in terms of a higher ABV, than its hop darling cousin, the IPA (India Pale Ale). Higher malt typically results in a smooth beer that exhibits greater sweetness. For those looking for a beer that's "big," a Double IPA ("DIPA") packs a punch in a smaller size pour -- the style is usually served in a snifter.

Hurricane Inspires Wicked Barley Brewing's First Bottle Release

Last fall, someone named Matthew decided to make a stop in the Jacksonville area and caused some havoc. Different people have different ways of dealing with such an occurrence. The brewers at Wicked Barley Brewing had one advantage over most of the population dealing with the storm: they hunkered down in their brewpub. Their experiences during that time inspired the brewery's first barrel-aged beer, which also happens to be its first bottle release. Wicked Barley will release its "Isolated Incident" Bourbon-Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with a party and cookout on Saturday, June 24, starting at 11am. 

REVIEW-A-BREW:

Beer:           Big Deal Lager, 4.2 ABV
Style:           Helles Lager
Brewery:     Darwin Brewing Co., Bradenton FL

Today just so happens to be the First Day of Summer (officially speaking), so there's no better time to take a look at a beer that will make a great "summer beer." You know the kind: the ones you enjoy on the patio, at the beach or pool, with a BBQ, or, quite simply, anytime you're looking for a lighter, refreshing beer. 

Prepare Now for Jax Beach Weekend Forecast (April 8): Green Room Brewing, Southern Swells Brewing to Make Direct Hit With New Releases

Hey, Jacksonville Beach, prepare now because there's definitely something big brewing at the beach, as two local breweries are ready to make waves with new beer releases over the weekend! Be prepared: drink plenty of water, make sure you have plenty of food.... and ....enjoy!

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).  

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February 6, 2017: COPPERTAIL BREWING, TAMPA, BEGINS DISTRIBUTION IN JACKSONVILLE, NORTH FLORIDA MARKETS

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January 25, 2017: DUE SOUTH BREWING SET TO RELEASE SPRING SEASONAL, HOPICANA IPA, FEBRUARY 1

Due South Brewing Trench Day: Dark Is Good

2017 Mariana Trench Imperial Stout

The picture on the bottle -- a tall ship silhouetted against the glow of a full moon over the deepest of waters on a dark night --  summons up a mystique of darkness that is Mariana Trench Imperial Stout. On Saturday, Due South Brewing Co. tapped the rich, dark stout and released a limited supply of bottles at its annual Trench Day fest. 

The three-hour beerfest was held inside the Due South Brewing production facility, indoor beer garden and tap room. The brewery intentionally keeps the fest tickets at a lower count than most fests to enhance the experience of the attendees (see last week's preview story). 

Due South Brewing Goin' Deep for Trench Day 2017

It's the middle of January, and there's nothing like an Imperial Stout to warm things up. But, let's make that a Gold Medal-winning Imperial Stout, with its own release day fest in South Florida. Add in some additional stellar brews from the house brewery and a few brewery friends from around the state. Put that all together, and you have "Trench Day" 2017, brought to you by Due South Brewing Co. 

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January 17, 2017: FUNKY BUDDHA BREWERY ANNOUNCES LOCATIONS FOR MAPLE BACON COFFEE PORTER "DRAFT DAY" TOUR JANUARY 26; ANNOUNCES NEW SPECIAL BEER RELEASE

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FORBIDDEN ROOT BREWERY (CHICAGO) BEGINS DISTRIBUTION IN FLORIDA

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FUNKY BUDDHA BREWERY TO RELEASE NEW FLAGSHIP BEER YEAR-ROUND; 2017 DISTRIBUTION AND TAP ROOM CALENDAR RELEASED

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CIGAR CITY BREWING RELEASES 2017 DISTRIBUTION CALENDAR: