I recently traveled to Cleveland for the Cleveland International Beer Fest and to check out some more of the region’s craft beer scene. There are a lot of similarities between Ohio’s and Florida’s beer communities, but in talking to an employee of the massive I-X Center, where the fest was held, I learned of one big difference.
“This is the last event here before the center closes for the summer,” he said.
I asked why.
“Because everything goes on outside until the fall,” he replied.
That’s quite the opposite of Florida, where we will try to seek shelter in air-conditioned comfort as much as possible for the next few months.
Theatrical Tasting
One of the first places in Tampa to even HAVE air-conditioning will hold a beer festival on Saturday. The Brews Brothers festival will be from 8 to 10 p.m. (“Premium Tasting” ticket holders get in an hour earlier) at the historic Tampa Theatre on Franklin Street in downtown. I remember going to this theatre as a youngster, when it showed first-run movies, but had fallen into disrepair. You could buy plastic oranges with juice at the concession stand, but no beer. Lovingly restored by a nonprofit group since then, the 1926 beauty now hosts concerts, classic and indie films, and other cultural events. This is the theater’s first beer festival, and the website promises a small but impressive list of craft brews and food samples from local restaurants.
Bitter tastes
Over at the Dunedin Brewery, the taps will be flowing with IPAs from all over the country during its India Pale Ale Festival 2011 beginning at 7 p.m. The Fritz will provide the musical entertainment. If this is anything like the brewery’s Stogies and Stout Festival, expect an awesome time. If you don’t have tickets yet, click quickly. It’s expected to sell out.
Down South
An ABC Fine Wine & Spirits store in Palm Bay is holding a craft beer tasting Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring more than brews from around the world. Cost of $10 includes a souvenir glass and a coupon for the night of the tasting.
Panhandle Prost!
I recently came across the website for Hofbräu Beer Garden in Panama City Beach. Looks like a pretty neat place, especially if you’re a fan of German brews. Though from the pictures, I’d say it’s more of a “beer hall” than a “beer garden” because it seems to be largely inside. But, heck, even The New York Times makes that mistake.
An Outsider’s View of Florida Beer
During another screwing around on the Internet research session, I came across the Boa Beer Blog, run by Mike Boa of Maryland. He has posted several stories of his Spring Break trip to Florida in which he hit some of our hot spots: Tampa Bay Brewing Co., Peg’s Cantina, Cigar City and Sarasota Brewing Co. He said he’s still going to post about visiting Dunedin Brewery. Read it here.
That’s it for this week’s Beer Bites.
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Until next time, Florida, remember: We are Here! We are Beer!
