TBBW 2019 Event: Tampa Bay Beer Week Bottle Releases at Cigar City Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

CCBnewlogoCigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will hold five days of bottle releases – Sunday, March 3 through Thursday, March 7 – during Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW) 2019.

Last year, Cigar City surprised its fans during TBBW with a series of bottle releases that they called a Barrel-Aged Countdown to Hunahpu’s Day 2018.  Since those releases proved to be an incredible success, the brewery has decided to break out five more tempting barrel-aged brews – all Stouts this time around – for TBBW 2019.  The schedule/lineup for this year’s releases is as follows:

Bottle Release Schedule

  • Sunday, March 3 – Manson Lamps. | Bourbon Barrel-aged Sweet Stout with Coconut
  • Monday, March 4 – Tip Top Cafe. | Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Mostra Coffee
  • Tuesday, March 5 – Yes, Always. | Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
  • Wednesday, March 6 – Emotional Support Duck. | Brandy Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Peanuts, Raspberries, and Blackberries
  • Thursday, March 7 – The Smiling Nut. | Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Pistachios and Vanilla

Each beer will release on its respective date at 11 a.m. in Cigar City’s Tasting Room (3924 W. Spruce St | Tampa, Florida) for the price of $19.50 each. There are currently no bottle limits in place, but it is possible that this could change based on each day’s turnout.  You best believe that these barrel-aged goodies will sell out quickly, so make sure that you get to Cigar City Brewing as close to opening as possible for each release.  Prost!

 

TBBW 2019 Event: Magnanimous Brewing Spotlight at Angry Chair Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

MagnanimousLogoFor its only on-site event during Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW), Angry Chair Brewing (Tampa, Florida) will host Magnanimous Brewing (Tampa, Florida) for a special brewery spotlight and tap takeover at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

Although the taproom over at the soon-to-be-opened Magnanimous Brewing is not yet ready to accommodate guests, the Magnanimous brewers have still been hard at work concocting some seriously intriguing brews in hopes of sharing them with the beer-loving masses that will be in town for TBBW. Not wanting to see those hopes dashed, the folks at Angry Chair have offered to turn their taps over to their Magnanimous friends for a brewery spotlight on March 5.  This event will showcase the following tap list of Magnanimous brews:

  • Skull Reaper International Light Lager
  • Death To All But Citra IPA
  • Doom Swagger Strawberry Coco Nut Sweet Stout
  • Progeny Lager w/ Ella Hops
  • Vorel Table Saison w/ Helga Hops
  • Phony Tough Imperial Brown Porter
  • Glazed Donut Porter
  • #Snacks Imperial Porter w/ Peanut Butter & Raspberries

In addition to the Magnanimous beers above, Angry Chair will be tapping a few undisclosed goodies as well.  You will just have to attend to find out what they have in store for the evening.

The Magnanimous Brewing tap takeover at Angry Chair is a free to attend, pay-as-you-go event.  Although this event is not ticketed, it is possible that the limited capacity at Angry Chair could lead to some delays when it comes to getting in or ordering a beer.  Keep that in mind just in case there happens to be a line . . . at Angry Chair . . . during TBBW. Just be patient, take a breath and have a fantastic time welcoming Magnanimous Brewing to the Tampa beer scene during TBBW 2019.  Prost!

LOKO Cuisine Brings St. Patrick’s Day Eggs & Kegs to Hidden Springs Ale Works

Posted on by mashingin

LokoHSAWOn Sunday, March 17 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine will host a special St. Patrick’s Day edition of Eggs & Kegs at Hidden Springs Ale Works (1631 N Franklin St | Tampa, Florida).

Everyone knows that the most important – and fabulous – meal of the day is brunch, but there is one day of the year when your first meal of the day is absolutely crucial: St. Patrick’s Day.  If you choose the right St. Patrick’s Day breakfast/brunch, you are setting yourself up success on the greatest of drinking holidays. On the other hand, if you choose wrong, there is a pretty good chance that you might end up a meme.

To provide you with the nourishment necessary to lay a foundation solid enough to support a day of festive drinking and merriment, LOKO Cuisine will be dishing up the following hearty, Irish-themed four-course menu at Hidden Springs Ale Works on St. Patty’s Day (served buffet-style):

LOKOStPatsmenu

To help you wash down the tasty Irish eats above, Hidden Springs will cover the “kegs” portion of this brunch by featuring the following brews:

  • Irish Car Bomb Deja Moo Milk Stout
  • Brawndo “The Thirst Mutilator” – a Green Gatorade-infused Berliner Weisse
  • Pilsner – a.k.a. “The Lite Beer” or “Beer Flavored Beer”

As an added bonus, if you find yourself in need of a caffeinated boost during the brunch, the Ginger Beard Coffee crew will be on-site pouring Nitro Irish Coffee – whiskey-infused coffee with fresh cream – and Nitro-infused Irish Breakfast Black Tea. **Ginger Beard offerings are not included in the ticket price.**

Tickets for the St. Patrick’s Day Eggs & Kegs are available now for $32.55 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the four-course brunch and one pint or snifter of beer of equal value. Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

Tickets for LOKO Cuisine Eggs & Kegs events tend to sell out quickly and this one should be no different.  Be sure to lock down some tickets now so that you can start your St. Patrick’s Day in proper fashion.  Seriously . . . future you – clad in all green and wearing an oversized, floppy leprechaun hat – will appreciate you making this decision . . . so . . . don’t screw this one up.  Buy those tickets and have an awesomely safe St. Patrick’s Day, folks.  Prost!

TBBW 2019 Event: Campfire S’mores Sweet Stout Bottle Release at Rapp Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

RappLogoRapp Brewing Company (Seminole, Florida) has officially announced that it will be getting in on the Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019 festivities by hosting a bottle release for Campfire S’mores Sweet Stout at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 8.

It just would not be Tampa Bay Beer Week without a special bottle release from Rapp Brewing Company, and this year they are mixing things up a bit by going the Sweet Stout route.  Just as its name would lead you to believe, Campfire S’mores is a s’mores-inspired Sweet Stout filled with “that ooey gooey goodness when the marshmallow and chocolate melt together with a light char from the campfire.”  Coming in at smooth sipping 7.3% ABV, each warming sip of Campfire S’mores promises to conjure up memories of “nights camping in the wilderness and roasting s’mores on a stick.”

Campfire S’mores Sweet Stout will officially release at 4 p.m. on March 8 and is expected to sell out quickly.  This Limited Release offering will be available in 22 oz. bottles for the price of $15 each (bottle limits have yet to be determined).  Due to the limited nature of this release, Campfire S’mores will not be available on draft.  Prost!

 

Fat Point Brewing Celebrates 4th Anniversary with Limited Release of Peanut Butter Scotch Ale

Posted on by mashingin

fatpoint4thannyFat Point Brewing (Punta Gorda, Florida) has officially announced that it will release a limited-edition Peanut Butter Scotch Ale at its Fourth Anniversary Party on Saturday, February 9.

Brewed specifically for Fat Point’s Fourth Anniversary Party, Peanut Butter Scotch Ale is a decadent “malty beer with a rich and sweet flavor profile.”  Anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a pour of this draft-only indulgence will discover that the “caramel and peanut butter notes work together to create a smooth, rich and flavorful beer that is both sweet and savory.”

Peanut Butter Scotch Ale will officially debut at noon on February 9 during Fat Point’s Fourth Anniversary Party.  This event will feature $4 pints from Fat Point and Big Storm Brewing Co., a variety of family-friendly outdoor games, and live musical performances from DJ Diwrection and 1984 – a Van Halen Tribute band.  The event is free to attend from noon to 4 p.m. If you wish to hang around after 4 p.m. to see the band, you will have to purchase a ticket (click here to do so).

“We want to celebrate this milestone and say thanks to the community of Punta Gorda and all our Fat Point fans for supporting our passion, love and commitment for brewing great beer.”

– Jessy Abbate, Head Brewer at Fat Point Brewing

It is not known at this time if this limited-edition Peanut Butter Scotch Ale will see any form of distribution, so go ahead and make the necessary arrangements now to attend Fat Point’s Fourth Anniversary Party that way you do not miss out on this tasty birthday brew.  Prost!

 

TBBW 2019 Event: Angry Chair Brewing Super Rad Rare Beer Event & Bottle Release

Posted on by mashingin
angrychairlogo**This is an archived post covering Angry Chair’s 2019 Super Rad Rare Beer Event. If you are looking for information concerning the 2020 Super Rad Rare Beer Night and Bottle Release, click here.**  

Angry Chair Brewing (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will recognize Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019 by celebrating its annual Super Rad Rare Beer Event and Bottle Release off-site at The Orpheum on Thursday, March 7.

During last year’s Tampa Bay Beer Week, one thing was made incredibly clear: just about everyone who was in town for the event was motivated to get a hold of some Angry Chair Brewing at one point or another.  Day after day, hordes of beer fans descended upon the brewery at all hours for their week of bottle releases.  Although the folks at Angry Chair were pleasantly surprised by the turnout and stoked to receive such support, their neighbors were not so happy with the situation.  Since the brewery is pretty small, lacks parking and is located at the edge of a neighborhood, this influx of humanity led to numerous logistical issues that made life difficult for the people who call that area home.

In order to keep that from happening again during Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019, Angry Chair Brewing has decided to make this year’s bottle releases a part of its annual Super Rad Rare Beer Event and move the whole thing off-site to The Orpheum in Ybor City.  This decision was made to not only respect the wishes of their neighbors, but to also provide their patrons with a better experience.  Obviously, this means that there WILL NOT be any bottle releases at Angry Chair Brewing at ANY POINT during Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019.  

Since this information will prove valuable to many, we are just going to breakdown all the details for the 2019 Super Rad Rare Beer Event and Bottle Release in effort to avoid any confusion.  Let’s get to it:

The Basics

What – Angry Chair Brewing’s Super Rad Rare Beer Event & Bottle Release
When – Thursday, March 7 – 1st Session: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. | 2nd Session: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where – The Orpheum | 1915 East 7th Ave | Ybor City, Florida

Ticket Information

General Admission tickets for the Super Rad Rare Beer Event are $300 each (+ tax).  Ticket cost gets you unlimited pours of rare beers during the event, a commemorative beer glass, a bottle bag and one of each of the following bottles:

  • Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Popinski with Vanilla Beans | Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with Vanilla Beans
  • Cognac Barrel-aged Unrepentant Transgression | Cognac Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout with Cacao, Cinnamon, Toasted Walnuts & Vanilla Beans
  • Barrel-aged Russian Interference | Bourbon Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with Toasted Pecans, Vanilla Beans & Cinnamon brewed in collaboration with Westbrook Brewing Co.
  • Barrel-aged Adjunct Trail | Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout with Hazelnut, Coffee & Coconut brewed in collaboration with Prairie Artisan Ales
  • Barrel-aged Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout | Bourbon Barrel-aged Sweet Stout with Cacao, Vanilla Beans & Coconut
  • Guava & Vanilla Bean Sour Ale | Collaboration with The Orpheum

**Bottles are subject to change if any issues arise**

VIP Tickets will be available via raffle for the cost $500 each (+ tax).  VIP ticket cost gets you everything included with General Admission plus admittance into the event 20 minutes early and a second set of bottles.  This is how the raffle will work:

To enter the VIP RAFFLE – While purchasing your ticket you will provide your name, email, and phone number. At the time of purchase, inform the Angry Chair staff member that you want to be a part of the VIP raffle and you will be added to the raffle list.  Names will be drawn randomly, 30 per session, and winners will be contacted. If you are contacted, you will have 24 hours to pay the additional $200 to bump your ticket up. Once 24 hours pass, anyone who has not paid will forfeit their VIP selection and additional names will be drawn. (You will have already purchased the GA ticket, so you will not lose your chance to attend, just the additional perks).

In-person ticket sales will take place at Angry Chair Brewing beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 26.  There will be 200 General Admission tickets per session and 30 VIP tickets per session available for in-person purchase.  **UPDATE 1.26.19** In-person ticket sales are officially SOLD OUT. **UPDATE 1.26.19**

Online ticket sales will take place at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday, January 28.  70 General Admission tickets per session will be available for online purchase.  We will post the link for online sales here just as soon the brewery makes it available. **UPDATE 1.26.19** The ticket link is now live. You can click here to go to the ticket page. **UPDATE 1.26.19****UPDATE 1.29.19** Online ticket sales are officially SOLD OUT. **UPDATE 1.29.19**

Tickets are limited to ONE per person and you can only attend one session.  Plus ones WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

Your ID will be required at the time of purchase.  You will be issued a physical ticket.  The name on the ID will be added to the list and your ticket will match the name on that list.  This means that YOU must show up with YOUR ticket.  Tickets are NON-TRANSFERABLE.

The Draft List

Attendees of The Super Rad Rare Beer Event will have access to unlimited pours of the following . . . you know . . . rare beers:

  • Barrel-aged Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout | Bourbon Barrel-aged Sweet Stout with Cacao, Vanilla Beans & Coconut
  • Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Popinski with Vanilla Beans | Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with Vanilla Beans 
  • Barrel-aged Russian Interference | Bourbon Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with Toasted Pecans, Vanilla Beans & Cinnamon brewed in collaboration with Westbrook Brewing Co.
  • Barrel-aged Adjunct Trail | Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout with Hazelnut, Coffee & Coconut brewed in collaboration with Prairie Artisan Ales
  • Cognac Barrel-aged Unrepentant Transgression | Cognac Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout with Cacao, Cinnamon, Toasted Walnuts & Vanilla Beans
  • Wilfred | Sweet Stout with Cacao, Vanilla Beans, Coconut & Maple
  • Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout | Sweet Stout with Cacao, Vanilla Beans & Coconut
  • Barrel-aged Rocky Road | Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout with Lactose, Cacao, Vanilla Beans & Walnuts
  • Rainbow Sherbet Berliner Weisse | Berliner with Lactose & Rainbows
  • Barrel-aged French Toast | Barrel-aged Imperial Porter with Lactose, Cinnamon, Vanilla Beans & Maple
  • Vodnik Czech-style Pilsner
  • Spacegrass IPA | India Pale Ale with Simcoe, Azacca & El Dorado hops
  • Imperial Moon Butter Sweet Stout | Imperial Sweet Stout with Cacao & Peanut Butter
  • Guava & Vanilla Bean Sour Ale | Collaboration with The Orpheum
  • Barrel-aged Ultra Violence | Bourbon Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout with Copious Amounts of Vanilla Beans

**The list above is subject to change and will definitely grow as the date of the event draws closer. Stay tuned for updates!**

Other Useful Information

  • Make sure that you have your ID with you when you attend the Super Rad Rare Beer Event.  If you do not bring your ID, your name cannot be verified against the list.  If you cannot be verified, you cannot attend.
  • Things that will not be permitted at the event: bottles, coolers, chairs, children & pets
  • You will receive a wristband upon entry.  DO NOT remove this wristband.  Not only will it prove that you belong at the event and grant you access to the beer being poured, it is also your only link to your bottles and schwag. When you leave, the Angry Chair crew will cut your band and then hand over your bottles, bottle bag and glass.  No wristband = NO BEER, NO BOTTLES, NO NOTHIN’.
  • Once you leave the event, please leave the area and do not linger outside of The Orpheum.
  • Unfortunately, there will be no food available at the venue during the event.  Angry Chair suggests that you check out one (or more) of Ybor’s amazing restaurants, bars or breweries before and/or after the event to handle all your grubbin’ needs.
  • The beers at this event will be massive, so please plan accordingly.  Arrange for a designated driver to pick you up or secure an Uber/Lyft/taxi to get you home safely.
  • Once again . . . There WILL NOT be any bottle releases at Angry Chair Brewing at ANY POINT during Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019.  

Alright, that should just about cover all the details currently available for the Super Rad Rare Beer Event and Bottle Release.  If any new information surfaces or anything changes, we will be sure to update this post with that information just as soon as we have it.

After what happened last year, it kind of goes without saying that this event will sell out quickly.  If you wish to attend Angry Chair’s Super Rad Rare Beer Event, make sure that plan you accordingly and do whatever you can to hit those ticket sale options as early as possible.  Best of luck to all of you.  Prost!

 

 

7venth Sun Brewery Plans to Celebrate 7venth Anniversary with Weekend of Events

Posted on by mashingin

7venthSunLogoBoth7venth Sun Brewery (Dunedin & Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will observe its 7venth Anniversary with a weekend of customer-appreciation-themed events that will span from Friday, January 4 to Monday, January 7.

Since a seventh anniversary is widely referred to as the “copper anniversary”, the crew at 7venth Sun Brewery has decided to recognize their 7venth Anniversary by treating their fans to a weekend-long, copper-themed celebration jam-packed with opportunities for them to spread more than a little love to their dedicated fans.  The 7venth Anniversary events and releases are many, so it is probably best if we just break the whole weekend down for ease of use and to ensure that we do not miss any of the important details.

The Basics

What – 7venth Sun 7venth Anniversary Celebration
When – Friday, January 4 to Monday, January 7
Where – 7venth Sun Brewery – Tampa |6809 N Nebraska Ave | Tampa, Florida AND 7venth Sun Brewery – Dunedin | 1012 E Broadway Ave | Dunedin, Florida

The Events

  • 7venth Annversary Swag Debut | Friday, January 4 – Get your limited edition 7venth Anniversary etched copper mugs along with the anniversary t-shirts. Copper mugs are 17oz and cost $17, tee-shirts are $20.Special Tappings – Cool as a Cuke, Cucumber, Blueberry, Ginger Mule Inspired Berliner; Java, Eh?, Maple Coffee Milk Stout; 7venth Anniversary Brett IPA
  • 7venth Anniversary Brett IPA Bottle Release | Saturday, January 5 – Since nothing is more quintessentially 7venth Sun than Brett + IPA, the brewery’s 7venth Anniversary beer is an India Pale Ale that was hopped with 7 different varieties of hops and inoculated with brettanomyces. This will be a very limited bottle run.
  • T-Shirt Shop Appreciation Day | Saturday, January 5 – Wear a 7venth Sun T-shirt or hat on T-Shirt Shop Appreciation Day and get $1 off all draft beers. Buy a t-shirt or hat and get a free draft beer.  Since a 7venth Anniversary wouldn’t be complete without updating the T-Shirt Shop, limited edition 7venth Anniversary t-shirts will be available while supplies last.
    Special Tappings – Redheaded Dragon, Red Dragonfruit and Ginger Mule Inspired Berliner; Purple Saurus Rex, Lemon and Grape Berliner; In Essence, Brut IPA with Passion Fruit and Honey
  • Local’s Appreciation Day | Sunday, January 6 – Swing by either 7venth Sun location with a local ID and get 25% off draft beers & growler fills on Sunday January 6th. Further details TBA.
    Special Tappings – Homme de Fleur, Elderflower, Lavender and Ginger Mule Inspired Berliner; Galaxy Glitter, Grapefruit and Orange Berliner
  • 7venth Mule Can Release | Monday, January 7 – Moscow Mule-inspired Berliner Weisse with lime and ginger.  You get it? Moscow Mules come in copper mugs . . . Copper Anniversary. Correlation!
    Special Tappings – Our Favorite Ginger, Strawberry, Mint, Lime and Ginger Mule Inspired Beer; Some More Lovin’, Smore Milk Stout, Craft Billionaire, Guava Raspberry Berliner
  • 7venth Sun Bottle Share | Monday, January 7 at DUNEDIN LOCATION ONLY – Participate in a bottle share of 7venth Sun beers over the years. You must bring a 7venth bottle to participate in the share. This is happening in DUNEDIN ONLY.
    Did we mention . . . BOTTLE SHARE IS DUNEDIN ONLY!
  • In addition to the scheduled events and releases, 7venth Sun plans to tap a wealth of special beers – including other Moscow Mule-inspired beers – at both locations throughout the weekend.

That covers all the information currently available for the 7venth Anniversary weekend, but make sure you check back because we plan to update this post with exact details on the 7venth Mule can release and the 7venth Anniversary Brett IPA bottle release just as soon we get our hands on that info.

If you are free this weekend and plan to be anywhere near Tampa or Dunedin, make a point to swing by a 7venth Sun location and raise a glass with the folks at the brewery to seven amazing years and the many more ahead of them.  Prost!

 

Field Trip: 6th Annual Florida Tap Invitational at Proof Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

FLTAPLogoLast month, we were lucky enough to receive an invite to the 6th Annual Florida Tap Invitational at Proof Brewing Co. (Tallahassee, Florida) and we have returned – after a bit of a delay – to provide you with a recap and photographic account of our experience at this truly special beer festival.

Taking place each year at Proof Brewing Co. in Tallahassee, the Florida Tap Invitational is an exclusive beer festival that aims to collect the finest and most interesting/innovative beers being produced in Florida so that craft beer fans can experience them all in one spot.  Beyond just being a celebration of the state’s craft beer community, this year’s event went an extra mile by serving as a fundraiser for Proof Brewing Co.’s neighbors in the Florida Panhandle that were affected by Hurricane Michael.

The description of the event that we received was very similar to the paragraph above, but we had no idea how intimate this beer festival would be until we turned the corner to the parking lot to get in line.  The entirety of the Florida Tap Invitational takes place in Proof Brewing Co.’s parking lot, beer garden and tasting room – none of which are incredibly large.  Despite that fact, someone who undoubtedly was a savant at Tetris found ample space to set up pour stations – most of them housed under tents – for 45 or so breweries and still had room for food vendors, a stage for musical entertainment and areas for attendees to congregate.

We entered with the VIP ticket holders, and the ID check/ticket redemption process was speedy and efficient.  As soon as we received our glass and got through the gate, our worries of over-crowding – a very real occurrence at many beer festivals – were quickly put at ease.  The amount of tickets allotted for this event was nearly perfect, and the layout basically kept the crowd moving at a slowly churning pace.  Even after General Admission was let in and attendance was at its peak, we never felt rushed or crowded and always had somewhere to go to hang out and have a conversation.  At times, many pour stations were wide open and allowed guests plenty of time to chat with representatives from their favorite breweries.

As far as the beer goes, the level of quality at the Florida Tap Invitational was as advertised.  Nearly every brewery came with the intention to show you their absolute best, and the event was utterly awash with countless one-off, rare, and limited release beers.  To give you an idea of the insane brews that graced our glasses during this event, here are our “Top 5 Most Memorable Beers of the 6th Annual Florida Tap Invitational” (list is in no particular order):

  • Magnanimous Brewing | Flourish – New England-style Wheat.  A new brewery coming to Tampa, Magnanimous made quite the first impression with a Wheat Ale that was bright, hoppy, luscious and refreshing.
  • Deep Brewing Co. | Bourbon Barrel CYNNICAL – Imperial Stout with cinnamon, ancho chile, cacao & vanilla.  CYNNICAL blew us away with big notes of brownie batter, dark chocolate, bourbon and just the right pop of heat.
  • Aardwolf Brewing Company | Bearer of the Cup of the Blood of the Ancients – Barrel-aged Raspberry Sour.  The name immediately captured our attention, and the beer itself delivered a wonderfully complex experience filled with tart raspberry goodness.
  • Invasive Species Brewing | Malkovich Malkovich – Hazy IPA double dry-hopped with Mosaic, Citra & Cashmere hops.  This IPA was ridiculously juicy and had just the right amount of delightful dankness. Oh, and the label artwork on the can is just stunning.
  • Proof Brewing Co. | Coffee Vanilla Hazelnut Bourbon Barrel-aged Glass Emperor – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout.  The home team stood up and showed out with a tap list comprised of over 30 beers, but this one set itself apart by nailing every descriptor in its name.  Pronounced and impactful but not overly cloying, this was THE dessert stout of the festival for us.

In addition to all the amazing beer, the Florida Tap Invitational also featured an incredibly solid lineup of food trucks/vendors and an unforgettable musical performance from Tallahassee’s Catfish Alliance and their majestic hype man “Sex Manatee”.  Once all the pieces of this event – from the beer to the food to the band – started functioning as a whole, the Florida Tap Invitational was then able to go next level and become a true celebration filled with nothing but good times and vibes.

Absolutely everything mentioned above was truly fantastic, but the coolest and most interesting part of the Florida Tap Invitational was how the brewers/brewery representatives behaved while at the event.  It was very clear that they were all there to talk to fans and properly showcase what makes their breweries special, but throughout the event we noticed that almost every single one of them found a moment to disappear into the crowd in search of a beer they were excited about. Sure, the “I need a beer, I’ll be right back” kind of moment happens at all beer festivals, but this was something different.  We ran into countless of them at other breweries’ tables and they were just as giddy as the ticket-holders surrounding them for the chance to try these beers.  They were talking shop, catching a laugh with old friends, and just genuinely stoked to be there.  At times it had the air of a company holiday party and showed that a very real camaraderie exists in Florida’s brewing community.

This speaks volumes for the Florida Tap Invitational because if the brewers and brewery reps – people who are at beer fests/events constantly all year long – are clearly having a great time and genuinely want to be there, that means you, the beer lover, need to be there.  There is no better endorsement for a beer festival than that, so check out the photos below and go ahead and make a note that you will need to be in Tallahassee in 2019 for the 7th Annual Florida Tap Invitational.  Prost!

The finest craft beer lovers lovers in Florida eagerly awaiting the chance to enter the 6th Annual Florida Tap Invitational.
Breaking in the new glass with the first beer of the day.
Plug N’ Play Brut IPA from Green Bench Brewing Co.
Beer name of the fest: Nut Squasher 2016, a Bourbon Barrel-aged Autumn Ale from Hourglass Brewing.
The brewers hanging out and chatting it up.
Deep Brewing Co. beautiful setup and W/InSight, a Florida Weisse with carrot & mango.
The endless array of taps in Proof Brewing Co.’s taproom.
“Beer is Your Friend.” Tampa Bay Beer Co. knows things. Brett Farmhouse Saison in the glass.
Enjoying a can of Malkovich Malkovich at Invasive Species Brewing’s table.
Savoring a pour of Coffee Vanilla Hazelnut Bourbon Barrel-aged Glass Emperor while hanging out at Proof Brewing’s pour station in the beer garden.
A perfect set up and a happy crowd at the 6th Annual Florida Tap Invitational.
Mango Thai Rack, a Jasmine Rice Saison with lemongrass and mango from Odd Breed Wild Ales.
Sex Manatee doing his thing while on stage with Tallahassee’s Catfish Alliance. Nothing but good times and vibes.

LOKO Cuisine Launches 2019 Eggs & Kegs Series with Biscuits & Berliners at Late Start Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

BiscuitsBerliners3On Sunday, January 20 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine and Hey Giant! Little Biscuits will combine culinary talents at Late Start Brewing – located inside Pour House Tampa | 1208 E. Kennedy Suite 112 | Tampa, Florida – to host a special “Biscuits & Berliners” edition of Eggs & Kegs.

LOKO Cuisine’s Eggs & Kegs road trip continues into 2019 and the first stop of the year will be at Late Start Brewing for brunch over Biscuits & Berliners.  With Hey Giant! along for the ride with their famous little biscuits in hand, this collaborative brunch menu will consist of the following five self-serve, gravy-soaked courses:

BiscuitsBerliners2

Late Start Brewing will obviously be responsible for refreshments at this shindig, and they have gone all in by coming up with the following tap list of brunch-themed Berliners (and one Gose):

  • Orange Cream Mimosa Berliner Weisse
  • Bloody Mary Berliner Weisse 
  • Coffee, Cinnamon & Vanilla Berliner Weisse
  • Red Sangria Berliner Weisse
  • Tasty Tasty Yum Yum Raspberry Cacao Berliner Weisse
  • Strawberry Margarita Gose

If are not a big fan of Berliners or beer in general, worry not because wine, cider and mimosas will be flowing during this event as well.  For those in need of their morning dose of caffeine, Ginger Beard Coffee will also be pouring nitro-infused coffee and tea (for an additional cost) at its home base in the Pour House.

Tickets for Eggs & Kegs – Biscuits & Berliners are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the five-course brunch and one beer, cider, wine or mimosa. Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

Just like all LOKO Cuisine events, there is a limited amount of tickets available for this Biscuits & Berliners brunch.  Deep down . . . you know you need some biscuits and gravy in your life and you know that you do not want to miss this.  Treat yourself and lock down those tickets as soon as possible.  Prost!

 

 

 

Good People Brewing Sets the Stage for Día del Gordo III (a.k.a. El Gordo Day 2018)

Posted on by mashingin

elgordo (1)On Saturday, December 8 at 11 a.m., Good People Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) will host Día del Gordo III, a bottle release event for the brewery’s beloved El Gordo Imperial Stout.

Often regarded as a highly respected, longtime champion of the craft beer community in Birmingham, the hard-hitting El Gordo will step out of the shadows once again on December 8 to show the world all that it has to offer at Día del Gordo III (also known as El Gordo Day 2018).  This massive, 13.9% ABV Imperial Stout always puts on a hell of a show at its annual appearance, and you best believe that El Gordo has quite a few surprises in store for the fans attending this year’s event.  Día del Gordo III is sure to be quite the spectacle, so let’s break down the event in an attempt to shed some light on the mystery that is El Gordo Una Stout Imperial.

The Basics 

What – Día del Gordo III | El Gordo Day 2018
When – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, December 8
Where – Good People Brewing Company | 114 14th Street South | Birmingham, Alabama

The Bottles

Since Día del Gordo III is first and foremost a bottle release, guests who attend the event will have the opportunity to purchase the following bottles:

  • 2018 El Gordo Una Stout Imperial
  • 2018 Barrel-aged El Gordo
  • 2018 Apple Brandy Barrel-aged El Gordo
  • Good People will also have a limited supply of vintage El Gordo bottles dating back as early as 2014

The Exclusive Drafts

With that said, Día del Gordo is still a party and this one is rockin’ the following tap list of highly-limited, draft-only variants of El Gordo:

  • El Gordo Aged in Tequila (former Bourbon) Barrels
  • El Gordo Aged in Rum (former Bourbon) Barrels
  • El Gordo Aged in American Oak Port Barrels
  • El Gordo (NITRO) aged in Port Barrels with Single Origin Guatemalan Coffee from Domestique Coffee 
  • El Gordo with Vanilla
  • El Gordo with Cocoa Nibs from Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. & Toasted Coconut

Other Useful Info

  • Día del Gordo III is free to attend and pay as you go. Since no tickets are being issued, they are obviously not necessary to attend
  • All purchases must be made at the brewery with a valid I.D. The brewery CANNOT pre-sell or ship bottles to anyone interested in acquiring one
  • It is best to get to this event early because all El Gordo bottles are sold on a first come, first served basis
  • Día del Gordo III will also feature live music and local food trucks. We will update you with the lineup of musical acts and food vendors just as soon as that information is made available
  • The kind folks at Good People Brewing will be raffling off prizes from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. during Día del Gordo III.  The Grand Prize will be drawn at 3 p.m.

Alright, that should just about cover all the information currently available on Día del Gordo III/El Gordo Day 2018.  If any more details surface before the event, we will be sure to update you with that information here.

If you plan on being anywhere near Birmingham, Alabama on December 8, clear your schedule now, coordinate with your Stout-loving amigos, and get to Good People Brewing Company nice and early on Día del Gordo III so that you can bear witness to the magnificence that is El Gordo.  To do otherwise would just be a shame.  Prost!

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