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.]

Let's Have a Beer .... in Jacksonville, Fla! (repeat trip)

[NOTE: I thought it was time to write about the Jacksonville breweries, and, really, it's been long overdue. I am thrilled to have written this story especially for the Beer Bloggers Conference (BBC) 2016, and it was posted recently on the Beer Bloggers Conference website as a lead story. The Conference is held in a different beer-centric city each year. This time around, it heads to Tampa July 8-10, along with a featured pre-con visit to Jacksonville. I'm excited to be a part of the BBC this year and want to say "Thanks" to the BBC for this opportunity. This is the first in a series of the Jax area breweries, so stay tuned.  And, by the way, a special "thank you" goes out to the Jax area breweries!] ....

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.

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......

SaltWater Brewery Celebrates Two Years: Get Reeled In

Vanilla Sea Cow, tapped at 1pm;
Sea Cow Milk Stout, with, well,
vanilla ... As good as it sounds

What do you get when you combine 40 house beers, plus beers from other Florida breweries and three breweries-in-planning, three food trucks, all day music, timed beer tappings, an inside tap room bar, an outside beer truck, a souvenir glass and 70+ degree weather ... not to mention it's December? Pretty much everything you need for a rockin' Two-Year Anniversary Party at South Florida's SaltWater Brewery in Delray Beach. 

This past Saturday, December 19, SaltWater Brewery celebrated two-years young with an all-day Block Party. For several weeks leading up to the epic event, the brewery announced its taplist on social media -- and with each new post, the taplist grew.  There were four timed releases throughout the day, and at least 10 beers were on tap continously.  And, having simply one or two brews for each timed release just wouldn't be enough, so we're talking about ten beers for each tapping at 1pm, 3pm (Sour Hour), 5pm and 7pm. Following that, at 9pm, the taps rotated to "kick" those kegs!

Capital Idea! DayTrip to GrassLands Brewing Company's Grand(er) Opening

Sure, it's the State Capital, and home to Florida State University. And, the way things are looking, Tallahassee just may be taking form to be another beer destination in Florida.  

Confessions of a GABF Virgin

Cover of 2015 GABF Program

Brew Bus Brewing and Aardwolf Brewing (Florida) Win Medals at GABF

If you saw my social media feed over this past weekend, you know that I headed west to the Great American Beer Festival ("GABF") presented by the Brewers Association ("BA") at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. In its 29th year, the festival consisted of four sessions from Thursday to Saturday, and I attended two: Thursday opening night and Saturday afternoon members session.  But, first things first.  In addition to the beer tasting, there was also a behind-the-scenes beer competition going on.  In fact, 6,647 beers from 1,552 breweries in all 50 states and D.C. were judged!  The winners were announced Saturday morning, and the event was broadcast live via internet stream. All said, the judging panel of 242 beer experts from 15 countries, including the U.S.and 155 volunteers awarded 275 medals in 92 beer categories, including 145 styles. 

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.