Memorial Day Weekend is upon us. For much of the country, that means wheeling the grill out of the shed for the first cookout of the summer. I don’t have a shed, but that’s OK because here in Florida, my grill has a permanent home on the lanai. Whatever your backyard, beach or park plans are, be sure to have some tasty local craft beer on hand. And on Monday, pause for a few minutes to remember those warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
On with Beer Bites.
Pints and Pugs
Won't you have a pint ... for me?
Pug Rescue of Florida (PROof) will hold a fundraiser Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at PourHouse Tampa. In 2010, the group helped rescue more than 200 pugs and incurred over $100,000 in expenses to provide care. There will be $4 drink specials, a raffle and live music, with proceeds benefitting PROof. I’ve visited PourHouse a few times, and it’s a fun place to enjoy a pint or three of craft beer, even when you aren’t helping little dogs with those cute pushed-in faces.
Need Mead?
The Central Florida Home Brewers will hold Meadllennium 2011n Saturday and Sunday in Sanford. The group says it is the longest-running mead-only competition in the world. This year, the CFHB will combine it with its annual Mead Making event. Get the details here.
Double the Dogfish
My good friends at DosBeerigos.com posted about not one, but TWO beer-pairing dinners next week featuring craft brews from Delaware’s Dogfish Head. The first will be Tuesday at Sweetwater Bar and Grill in Boynton Beach; the second at Coral Gables’ newest craft beer spot The Local. Read about it here.
Another Craft Brewer Joining the Scene
Also in South Florida, word comes to us from the Miami New Times blog about a new craft brewery set to open its doors in about a year. Liz Tracy interviews Luis Brignoni, who’s heading the Wynwood Brewing Company project. Always great to see another brewery entering Florida’s craft beer fold.
A Long-Expected Party
Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing will officially release its 2011 Tocobaga Ale on Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. The winning label design, chosen in a contest, will also be unveiled. If you’re lucky enough to snag one of the first 80 bottles, brewery owner Joey Redner and the winning artist will sign it for you.
Pucker Up
Redlight Redlight, the legendary Orlando craft beer bar named third-best in the world by RateBeer.com, will hold a Sour Fest on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Here’s the initial list of beers to be poured: Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition, Alvinne Wild Undressed, BFM Abbaye du St. Bon Chien 2009, Ommegang Rouge!, Hanssens Oude Gueze Cask!, Hanssens Oude Kriek Cask!, Saint Somewhere Lumiere Rouge, Saint Somewhere Lumiere Rouge Blanc, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Ichtegem’s Grand Cru, Cigar City Sea Bass Aged in a Wine Barrel, The Bruery Hottenroth, The Bruery/Cigar City Marrón Acidifié, Lagunitas Gueuze. Redlight Redlight is at 745 Bennett Road.
Shout It Out
- Chris Ward, whom I wrote about on this site a few months back, has made his move to Tampa from New York and soon will begin work on getting his Archangel Brewing Company up and running within the next year or two. I finally had the pleasure earlier this week of meeting Chris and his lovely new bride, Megan, in person. We sat down and had a few pints at the Big River Grille and Brewing Works, the brew pub at the Disney Boardwalk Resort. We were joined by head brewer Kent Waugh, a great guy and talented brewer. If you get a chance to try his creations (the limited-release Soleil IPA was fantastic!), do so.
- I spent Thursday as Theme Park Dad, my alter-ego when I write for my lovely wife’s family travel site Theme Park Mom, covering a preview of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s new Cheetah Hunt, which opens to the public today. There were some technical issues with the coaster during the afternoon, so I left the park for a couple of hours to grab a bite to eat and a couple of craft beers at the nearby Mr. Dunderbak’s. As I was getting ready to leave, the guy next to me at the bar struck up a conversation about some home brew he had brought in for folks to taste. Turns out the guy was J.B. Ellis, the owner of Mr. Dunderbak’s and one of the first players in Florida’s craft beer scene (back when there really wasn’t one). It was an honor to meet him; unfortunately, I had to get back to Busch Gardens and couldn’t chat with him long, I hope to get back soon. (BTW, Cheetah Hunt was awesome!)
That’s it for this week’s Beer Bites. Enjoy your long weekend and please drink responsibly.
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Until next time, Florida, remember: We are here! We are Beer!
