Waning days of 2011 bring glad tidings for Florida craft beer scene

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Gerard Walen

Beer in Florida photo by Gerard WalenThe last few days of 2011 have brought a run of great news about the future of craft beer in Florida.

I want to get the info out to you, so here’s a quick rundown on what’s going on, along with links to more information.

  • Boca Raton’s Funky Buddha Brewery will partner with Cigar City to produce some of its award-winning beers for wider distribution. More here.
  • The Green Bench Brewing Company is surprisingly close to opening its doors in downtown St. Petersburg. More here.
  • Seventh Sun Brewing Company in Dunedin will pour its first in-house beer for the public in just a few days. The price for the first sip? $202.50. But don’t worry, the money goes to a great cause and the subsequent pours will go for much less. More here.
  • The calendar for the first South Florida Beer Week, kicking off January 23, is starting to fill up. More here.
  • Update: Florida Beer Company recently announced its planned move from its cramped quarters in Melbourne to a roomier brewing facility in Cape Canaveral. They just posted that the move is under way, and hinted at some of the things visitors to the new brewery can expect. More here.

The Florida craft beer culture grew by leaps and bounds in 2011, and it looks like 2012 will bring even more. It’s an exciting time to be a beer geek in the Sunshine State.

Happy New Year to all!

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Charlie Papazian talks about craft beer in Florida

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Gerard Walen

Beer in Florida photo by Gerard WalenIf you are a regular reader of this site, you might know that I occasionally fill in for Alan Shaw, who pens the “Beer Geek” column and blog for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Ticket section. I did it again this week, focusing the column on the growth of the craft beer scene in Florida since a restrictive container-size law was repealed a decade ago, allowing more craft and import beers to be sold in the Sunshine State.

Anyhow, I was fortunate enough to catch a few minutes with Charlie Papazian during the American Homebrewers Association Rally at Cigar City Brewing on December 7. I knew the craft beer and homebrew guru and author frequently visited Florida over the past few decades, so I asked him his thoughts on the changes he’s seen during the past 10 years.
Here’s what he had to say.

If you want to read the Ticket Sarasota column, click here.

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SeaWorld Orlando Bands, Brew & BBQ Promises Beer and Fun

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Gerard Walen

Beer in Florida photo by Gerard WalenThe beer garden at the 2011 SeaWorld Orlando Bands, Brew & BBQ impressed me with the variety of craft beer available.

I’m looking forward to returning in 2012. The event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays this year, on Feb. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, and March 3-4. The SeaWorld Orlando website promises nearly 50 craft beers from about 20 breweries. Granted, some of the offerings last year pushed the definition of craft beer (Bass, Beck’s and Stella Artois), but there were brews from others such as Starr Hill, Florida Beer, Victory and Blue Point.

This year’s beer list has not been released.

Several local barbecue restaurants will offer plenty of smoky goodness to accompany the brew.

Admission includes admission to a headline concert. Here’s the lineup.

  • Saturday, February 11: Foreigner
  • Sunday, February 12: Gary Allan
  • Saturday, February 18: Trace Adkins
  • Sunday, February 19: Kenny Rogers
  • Saturday, February 25: Doobie Brothers
  • Sunday, February 26: Ronnie Dunn
  • Saturday, March 3: Sarah Evans
  • Sunday, March 4: Scotty McCreery

Sister park Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also holds a Bands, Brew & BBQ, though last year its beer selection was not as extensive. However, Busch Gardens offered an all-you-can-drink armband option, while SeaWorld sold a lanyard for $20 that allowed sampling of  12 3-oz beers.

The Busch Gardens band lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels, 38 Special and REO Speedwagon.

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Seventh Sun Brewery to pour its own beer starting January 7, 2012

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Gerard Walen

image courtesy of Seventh Sun Brewing Co.The newest Florida brewery just announced that it officially will pour the first of its beers brewed there shortly after the first of the year, and fans of Seventh Sun Brewing Company can bid for a chance to drink the first official pour and help the homeless in the local area.

Here’s the news release I just received from co-owner Devon Kreps.

Seventh Sun Brewing Company in Dunedin, FL plans to unveil their beer on Jan 7th; the first glass poured will be up for auction, proceeds benefitting the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP).

Owner Justin Stange began brewing beer shortly after opening on December 2nd.  Since that date, Seventh Sun has been offering guest taps of beer in the same styles the pair plan to offer – a mix of Belgian style ales, sour beers and a variety of IPA’s.

The brewery will open with all ten hand-blown glass taps pouring Seventh Sun beer for the first time on January 7th.  Those vying for the first taste can bid on Ebay (or search Ebay with item # 230719655159) and take their pick of the first of the ten beers to be poured.

Proceeds of the auction will be donated to Clearwater’s Homeless Emergency Project (HEP), one of the oldest and largest providers of housing and support services for the homeless in Pinellas.  Visit www.ethep.org for more information.

“We feel very lucky to have the opportunity to begin this venture and we wanted to give something back, especially to a cause that is helping where so many people are hurting right now,” says owner Devon Kreps.  “We really hope that given the spirit of the holiday season, we will be able to raise a substantial amount for HEP.  Getting a family back on its feet takes a lot of resources and every donation whether financial or by volunteering time, makes a difference.”

Seventh Sun’s official launch happens at 1012 Broadway in Dunedin with the first beer pouring at 2:00pm on January 7th.  HEP will also have a booth for those wishing to donate or inquire.

For updates on Seventh Sun follow them on Facebook or Twitter @SeventhSunBeer.

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