What's your mood?
Last night, I went to a sneak preview of the new kids movie “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” with my wife and my now second-grader daughter. It was a fine film, and if you have kids age 6 and up, they’ll love it, especially if they’re fans of the book series.
What does this have to do with Florida craft beer? Not much, other than I wanted to point out that the title character exhibits enough mood swings that you might wonder if there is such a condition as elementary school menopause. Similarly, reading this week’s Beer Bites column will likely make your ‘70s-era mood ring change colors like a seizure-inducing disco dance floor light show.
First the Bad News
The Oldsmar Tap House will be closed after today because it has been sold. Since its opening in 2008, the Tap House has been consistently named to national and local lists of top beer bars, and has amassed a legion of loyal local clientele. But the news isn’t all bad. According to the Tap House Facebook Page, the venue will reopen as a second location of Tampa-based House of Brews. If you’re able to do it today, swing by the Tap House to toast this fine establishment.
And the Good News
Orlando Sentinel columnist Kelly Fitzpatrick reports today of another craft beer venue opening in Winter Park. Taps Wine & Beer Eatery features 350 beers in the cooler and 28 on tap. It also offers an extensive wine and liquor selection. In her column, Fitzpatrick criticizes some of the servers’ knowledge of beer, but she acknowledges that it’s still a new operation and there are some kinks to be worked out. This new establishment joins brewpub Shipyard Emporium and gastropub The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, an encouraging sign that the Orlando suburb could look attractive for more craft-beer venues.
Happy Anniversary
Down in South Florida, there will be a celebration of MikeLovesBeer.com’s third anniversary at the Funky Buddha Lounge in Boca Raton. Mike Jurewicz helms the popular beer blog, and he’s also half of the United We Drink weekly podcast, along with Phil Palmisano, one of the founders of DosBeerigos.com. The public is welcome to drop in for the celebration, which promises music, beer, comedy, beer, laughter, beer, and more, including some of the best craft beer from Florida and elsewhere.
Happy Birthday
The Lager Haus Brewery & Grill in Palm Harbor recently started offering a birthday treat for its Lagerhauser customers: A free beer and dinner, up to a $15 value, on their birthdays. How does one become a Lagerhauser? The answer from the Facebook page: “Send an email to office@lagerhausbrewery.com that you like to become a Lagerhauser. I will reply and you show or print the reply to the bartender. Then they will give you an ID. All freebies are sent via email to you.” Sounds like a deal!
New Brew Tours
Tampa Bay Brew Bus has updated the list of its upcoming tours. On June 25, the bus will hit Saint Somewhere in Tarpon Springs, Lagerhaus, World of Beer Westchase and a Mellow Mushroom. On tap for July 21 is an all-inclusive trip to the Tampa Bay Rays versus the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. All tours leave from Cigar City Brewing. For more details, click here.
Barrel-aged release
Lagniappe Brewing Company in Minneola will hold a pre-release party for its barrel-aged Effinheimer Reserve Ale on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Enjoy free wings and live music. I’m really looking forward to this because I know owner and head brewer Brad Banker has been really excited about this creation.
Finally
I published an interview with Will Lawson this week on my other site, Road Trips for Beer. Will recently moved to Naples from Michigan and is gung-ho on the way to opening his Naples Beach Brewery, with a target opening date in 2012. Naples has been a dry spot in Florida’s booming craft beer scene, and I’m glad to see some action on that front.
I hope this week’s edition of Beer Bites didn’t burn out your mood ring. As usual with Florida’s growing craft beer scene, it’s mostly good news.
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Until next time, Florida, remember: We are Here! We are Beer!
