Beer in Florida

The Beer in Florida news feed recently received a slew of reports from South Florida craft breweries in the past few days, so let’s get to it.

Due South

Mike Halker

Due South Brewing Co., the brewery that opened in 2012 in a warehouse park in Boynton Beach has announced that it has acquired the space next to its current location, allowing an expansion that nearly doubles its square footage. Here’s that announcement:

Due South Brewing Co. has announced an expansion of its current facility, annexing 12,000 additional square feet of the adjacent bay.  Combined, Due South will total more than 27,000 square feet.

Open to the public since 2012, Due South has always had a production focus.  The current tap room continues to shrink as the need for more brewing space grows.  This expansion will allow for growth in both areas.

“We knew we would need more space; it just wasn’t available” states Mike Halker, founder and president of Due South.  “Finally the opportunity presented itself and we were able to acquire the bay next to us.  We’re certainly excited about continuing our relationship with the folks in Boynton and eventually expanding our brewing operations enough that we can supply all of Florida.  We’ve got some thirsty friends on the west coast we haven’t been able to take care of yet.”

The new space will be used for an indoor beer garden, a large air conditioned tap room, a dedicated area for barrel aging and additional offices.  There will also be a separate area for expansion of the new “Due South Sour Project.”

The architects are currently working on the layout and the new facility is expected to be open in early fall.

Saltwater Brewery

From Saltwater Brewery, which a team of native Floridians opened in Delray Beach in December 2013, comes news of growth in its distribution footprint, as well as the release of another of its core brands to retail distribution in cans:

Saltwater Brewery, a microbrewery with tasting room, today announced partnerships with Florida Distributing Company and J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc., expanding distribution to Tampa, Orlando and the surrounding areas, as well as the market launch of its second canned product, Sea Cow Milk Stout.

Look for Saltwater Brewery beer on tap and in cans in the following counties:

FDC: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole

J.J. Taylor: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Henry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota

Brown Distributing: Broward, Dade, Indian River, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, St. Lucie

“FDC and J.J. Taylor have great reputations in the distribution arena and are well respected in the beer community,” said Bo Eaton, head of sales and co-founder of Saltwater Brewery. “Their enthusiasm for our brand has made us very excited to partner with them.”

The company also released its second canned beer, Sea Cow Milk Stout, following the launch of its Screamin’ Reels IPA in August 2015. One of the only Milk Stouts in the market available in a can, Sea Cow is characterized as dark, roasty and sweet, with 6% Alcohol By Volume and 38 IBUs.

Saltwater Brewery’s brand and lifestyle revolves around the ocean, which extends to its charitable giving.

“We look forward to working with locally based charity chapters such as The Ocean Foundation and Surfrider Foundation in the Orlando and Tampa areas,” said Chris Gove, president and co-founder.

Sea Cow Milk Stout will be available throughout Saltwater Brewery’s new and current distribution territory. The team is planning to continue expansion later this year, and will also can additional styles such as Locale, Wheat Wave and limited releases.

Funky Buddha

And in the better-late-than-never category, Funky Buddha Brewery, which has its main production brewery in Oakland Park, has made public its 2016 release schedule. Judging from my Facebook feeds, the brewery’s Last Snow Coffee & Coconut Porter, which saw a release last month, excites a lot of Funky Buddha fans. Those who covet this brew might want to take a look at the “Little Buddha” series release for October.

Goodness abounds!

Funky Buddha Brewery, based in Oakland Park, has announced its 2016 release schedule. This long-awaited lineup will include a new year-round beer to add to the brewery’s portfolio of boundary-pushing craft brews, in addition to a whole year’s worth of entries in the “Little Buddha Small Batch” series.

Hop Stimulator Double IPA will join Hop Gun IPA and Floridian Hefeweizen as the third of Funky Buddha’s flagship beers. Generously hopped with Amarillo, Centennial, Citra, and Cascade hops, Hop Stimulator boasts intense passionfruit, grapefruit, orange peel, and pineapple aromas with a crisp, balanced malt body. This monstrously-hopped double (9.5%) India pale ale will make its debut on draft and in four-pack, 12 oz. bottles this April 19th with an MSRP of $11.99 per four-pack.

2016 will also see Funky Buddha grow its “Little Buddha Small Batch” series of beers. This culinary-inspired line of brews will feature such coveted and anxiously awaited beers such as Wide Awake It’s Morning (Imperial Maple Bacon Coffee Porter), Muy Bonita Apple Pie Double Brown Ale, and Don’t Tell Reece Peanut Butter Cup Ale. Available in 22oz bombers and on draft, these beers will see release in Funky Buddha’s tap room and in distribution across the state of Florida.

These breweries – and many more – will be pouring this Saturday at the annual Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival, the official kickoff festival to Tampa Bay Beer Week 2016.

Florida Brewery Map

Beer in Florida’s mission is to chronicle and support the thriving Florida craft beer community, but as a reminder, especially as the excesses of the holiday season lie before us: Drink responsibly. Designated drivers, hotel rooms, Uber, Lyft, and taxis are all great ideas. In fact, if you haven’t used Uber yet, you can get your first ride free (up to $15) by using the code uberBeerInFlorida when you sign up for the ride-share service.

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