Big Storm Brewing Helps End Hunger in Tampa with Limited Release of Hops for Hunger

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Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Hops for Hunger, a special collaboration project with Feeding Tampa Bay, on February 3, 2022.

Brewed to assist the “approximately one million people [who] are food insecure in our 10-county region,” Hops for Hunger (4.8% ABV) is a Honey Wheat Orange Ale that will donate “a percentage of every beer sold . . . to better serve our neighbors with the compassion they deserve.” The money raised will assist Feeding Tampa Bay in their mission that had them “[serving] nearly 95 million meals last year.”

Hops for Hunger debuts today and will hang around only as long as supplies last. This Limited Release will be available by the 16 oz. can at Big Storm’s four taprooms – Clearwater, Orlando, Odessa and Cape Coral. Prost!

Vital Information for Hops for Hunger from Big Storm Brewing Co. & Feeding Tampa Bay

Release – Limited; February 3, 2022
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 4.8%
The Mission – A percentage of every beer sold will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay to better serve our neighbors with the compassion they deserve
Availability – 16 oz. cans
Distribution – None. Only available at Big Storm’s four taprooms in Clearwater, Orlando, Odessa and Cape Coral

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Big Storm Brewing Acquires Darwin Brewing Co.

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Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it has purchased Darwin Brewing Co. (Bradenton, Florida).

Founded in 2012 as a part of Darwin’s on 4th, an incredibly popular and highly respected Latin American gastropub, Darwin Brewing Co. expanded in 2013 with the establishment of a “fifteen-barrel production facility, taproom, and beer garden” located in downtown Bradenton across from LECOM Park. With a mission focused on “[incorporating] ingredients indigenous to Florida and the Americas,” Darwin has since made a name for itself with fan-favorite offerings such as Llama Mama Milk Stout, Circa 1926 Tangerine Wheat Ale and Summadayze IPA.

“Darwin Brewing Co. has a solid reputation for brewing the highest quality beers with an eye towards innovation and food pairs,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “We are excited to grow this hyper-local brand throughout Florida.

“It is our plan to take the next year to methodically find a new home for Darwin that will allow the brand to find some of its original roots regarding a culinary experience,” added Govoni. 

Big Storm Brewing Co. has been incredibly busy over the last year. Beyond acquiring Darwin Brewing Co., Big Storm expanded to Central Florida in November 2020 with the opening of a brewpub at Amway Center in downtown Orlando and their 11,000-square-foot taproom and restaurant in Ybor is set to open in early 2022. Prost!

Big Storm Brewing Files Application to Begin Commercial Production of Hand Sanitizer

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BigStormLogoIn response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially filed the required federal application to begin manufacturing ethanol in hopes that it will be able to begin making more than 100-gallons of commercially packaged hand sanitizer each day.

As the federal government is currently “working diligently to expedite applications” like the one Big Storm awaits approval on, the brewery has proactively “begun the compounding of a liquid-based hand sanitizer spray following World Health Organization standards.”  Once they get the go ahead to proceed, Big Storm plans to begin “mass production of hand sanitizer to supply government agencies, hospitals, first responders and others.”  Government agencies, hospitals, medical offices and others interested in hand sanitizer can contact Big Storm at info@bigstormbrewery.com.

“Our goal is to begin mass production of hand sanitizer to supply government agencies, hospitals, first responders and others,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “This is a win-win, it allows us to retain employees while manufacturing a critical resource during this incredibly difficult time.”

Big Storm Brewing Co.’s plans to begin production of hand sanitizer is an effort to do their part in helping meet the demand for this vital product during this escalating coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  Prost!

 

Big Storm Brewing Co. Sweetens Up Valentine’s Day with Limited Release of Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me

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bigstormBWlogoBig Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it will recognize Valentine’s Day with a Limited Bottle Release featuring Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me Chocolate Cherry Imperial Stout on Saturday, February 8.

Returning as a barrel-aged variant in 2020 to make your Valentine’s Day extra special, this year’s batch of Lie To Me is an Imperial Stout layered with notes of dark chocolate and cherry and then aged in bourbon vanilla barrels. This added step produces an experience that “boasts smooth and decadent dark chocolate cherry and subtle vanilla notes with hints of oak and bourbon.”  Coming in at a warming 9.8% ABV, the full-bodied Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me is best enjoyed when shared “with someone you love – or someone who just really loves beer.”

Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me will officially release at 11 a.m. on February 8 at Big Storm’s Pasco, Pinellas and Cape Coral locations.  This Limited Release offering will be available as long as supplies last in 750ml bottles and on draft during this release.  Big Storm will also have a limited amount of vintage bottles of 2018 and 2019 Lie To Me available for purchase during this event (quantities are limited).  Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me is a brewery-only release and is not expected to see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; February 8, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 9.8%
Featured Ingredients – Dark chocolate & cherry
Treatment – Aged in bourbon vanilla barrels
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Big Storm Brewing Co. Set to Release Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

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BigStormWaveLogoBig Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it will hold a Limited Bottle Release for Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout at all three of the brewery’s taprooms on Saturday, December 21.

Here to provide Big Storm fans with a little something special for the holidays, Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout is 2019 Huracán Imperial Stout that has aged for five months in Jamaican rum barrels that also “aged maple syrup in New England before arriving at the brewery.”  These incredibly special, “well-traveled” barrels enhance the original beer’s “complex body of dark chocolate, espresso and dark pit fruit by melding with the sweeter maple and tropical rum.”  Clocking in at 11% ABV, Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout comes together to be “an enjoyable after-dinner drink reminiscent of a Florida winter.”

Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout will officially release at 9 a.m. on December 21 at Big Storm’s Pasco, Pinellas and Cape Coral locations.  This Limited Release offering will be available in 750ml bottles and on draft during this release.  Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout is a brewery-only release and is not expected to see distribution.  Prost!

Vital Information for Huracán Rum Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; December 21, 2019
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 11%
Treatment – Aged for five months in Jamaican rum barrels that previously aged maple syrup
Suggested Food Pairings – “Ginger Snaps | Beef Wellington | Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano”
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Distribution – None. Brewery only

 

Big Storm Brewing Co. Expands Distribution to New Jersey & North Carolina

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BigStormLogoBig Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it will expand distribution into the states of New Jersey and North Carolina this month.

After announcing last month that it was extending its reach to Ohio, Big Storm Brewing Co. is now entering September with twice as much distribution news.  The brewery has officially signed with Shore Point Distributing Company, Inc in New Jersey and Carolina Eagle Distributing in North Carolina to bring its lineup of Florida-inspired brews to those states.

Big Storm will enter the New Jersey and North Carolina markets with the following offerings (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s website):

  • Wavemaker Amber Ale – Big Storm’s very first brew was this amber ale. It presents a wave of flavor with two row Canadian barley coupled with Munich and chocolate malts. Wavemaker® Amber Ale is malt centric and highly drinkable year-round with minimal hop bitterness.  ABV – 4.9%  IBUs – 28
  • Tropic Pressure Florida Ale – A highly drinkable Florida ale steeped with hibiscus flowers for just the right amount of natural sweetness and a hint of cinnamon. Brewed with pale wheat and honey malt, Tropic Pressure pours the color of skin that has been kissed by the warm Florida sunshine.  ABV – 4.4%  IBUs – 17
  • BroMosa Tangerine IPA – We brewed the ultimate beverage for the bro (or sis) that isn’t into sweet bubbles served in pretentious, highfalutin glassware. BroMosa is a dry-hopped juicy IPA with a name that makes it socially acceptable to drink in the morning or any time of day. Expect a strong punch of tangerine flavor followed by a dry and hoppy finish that even the self-proclaimed “IPA-hater” enjoys.  ABV – 7%
  • Palm Bender Gulf Coast IPA – This Gulf Coast IPA pours a beautiful golden orange and is brewed using 100% barley. The flavor is dominated by Cascade hops with an assertive up front hop presence and floral, pine, and citrus flavors. A pleasant, lingering hoppiness in the finish entices another sip.  ABV – 7%  IBUs – 70
  • Arcus Southern Pale Ale – A bronze medalist at the 2017 Best Florida Beer competition, Arcus rolls in with an intense citrusy hop aroma. Arcus is brewed with two-row Canadian barley and Mosaic hops. The addition of wildflower honey from Pasco County lends a balancing sweetness for a clean finish.  ABV – 6.2%  IBUs – 56

Big Storm’s Seasonal offerings will also be available in these areas during their respective months of availability.  Seasonal offerings include Oats In Hose Oatmeal Stout, Key Lime Shandy, Oktoberfest Lager, and Dunder and Blixem Spiced Ale.

“With such great support from our local communities in Florida, we’ve had immense growth at Big Storm,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “We’re excited to share some of Big Storm’s top award-winning beers with consumers in both the Garden and Tar Heel States.”

 

“Geographic boundaries come second to working with distributor partners who share our vision of the Big Storm brand, commitment to customer service and a love for the product. We feel both Shore Point and Carolina Eagle check all those boxes.” Govoni said.

The offerings listed above will launch in New Jersey and North Carolina during the month of September.  You can expect to find these beers available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located throughout New Jersey and North Carolina.  Prost!

Big Storm Brewing Co. Helps Protect Endangered Owls with Release of Burrowing Owl Beer

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BigStormWaveLogoBig Storm Brewing Co. (Cape Coral, Florida) has officially announced that it has brewed Burrowing Owl Beer to raise funds and awareness for Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) and its mission to protect endangered Burrowing Owls in the Cape Coral area.

Coming in at about the size of a beer can, Burrowing Owls – “Cape Coral’s official bird with nearly 500 pairs in the city” – are one of the smallest owls in the world and they “literally live underground in burrows.”

Since these cute little guys and gals (pictured below) are currently on Florida’s threatened species list, the folks at Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife – a volunteer-based nonprofit organization – are doing everything they can to protect these owls.  Working on Wednesdays whenever the weather permits, volunteers from CCFW “put in over 10,000 hours a year” performing maintenance on Burrowing Owl burrows located in Cape Coral. Their efforts include “trimming burrows with high weeds, installing PVC pipes and perches on newly found burrows, and repairing and cleaning up existing burrows.” To further build upon their efforts, CCFW is currently focused on “[acquiring] lots through donation for preservation for [the owls’] habitat and food source. CCFW is asking churches, schools, and homeowners to put in starter burrows – a free service provided by CCFW.”

“We are pleased that Big Storm Brewing and the community are coming together to help protect the Burrowing Owl which drives our local eco/sustainable tourism,” Said Pascha Donaldson, vice president of CCFW.  “People come from all over the world to meet our burrowing owls and we have one of the largest nesting populations on the planet.”

As for the actual beer, Burrowing Owl Beer is a Kentucky Common brewed “with 30% of its malt bill as corn, so some light sweet corn flavor comes through.” Amber in color with dark ruby hues, Burrowing Owl Beer (5.2% ABV) has “notes of bread toast, pepper and berries.”

“Our Cape Coral taproom is located next to a Burrowing Owl nest which we think is super cool. As we started to look for ways to give back to the community, we felt supporting these awesome little birds was an obvious choice,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “Now our customers can try this new beer and help us give back to the CCFW by supporting out Burrowing Owl Beer. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are excited to raise a pint to our pint-sized owls.”

Burrowing Owl Beer is available exclusively on draft at the Cape Coral location of Big Storm Brewing Co.  A portion of the proceeds raised from the sale of Burrowing Owl Beer “will go to support . . .  Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and its work to save the threatened species.”  Prost!

Burrowing Owl 2

Big Storm Brewing & Friends Team Up with Habitat for Humanity to Brew A House That Beer Built

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BigStormHTBBpourBig Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it and several other Pinellas County craft breweries have come together to brew A House that Beer Built, a collaboration Belgian Wit that will raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.

A House That Beer Built is a new program from Big Storm Brewing, Dissent Craft Brewing Company (St. Petersburg, Florida), Flying Boat Brewing Co. (St. Petersburg, Florida) and other local breweries that aims to raise $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity so that it can help a local family in need.  The participating breweries hope to raise a portion of the funds with the sale of a collaboration beer created specifically for the cause.

Also named A House That Beer Built, this special collaboration is Belgian-style Witbier “brewed with white wheat and barley malt for a refreshing and flavorful, hazy golden-white ale.”  The recipe is rounded out with additions of orange peel, coriander, and grains of paradise to impart “layers of sweet citrus and pleasant spice” and “a traditional Belgian wit yeast completes the perfect beer for a great cause.”

“Habitat is beyond excited to be working with the craft beer community here in Pinellas County,” said Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Marketing Alison Riley. “We are always looking for new and innovative ways to partner with businesses and individuals in the area as well as spread the word of the Habitat mission. We are thankful to Big Storm and all of the breweries who have made this project possible!”

 

“This is a tremendous opportunity to give back to the community and by working together we are crafting both a home and hope for a Pinellas family,” said Big Storm Brewing owner L.J. Govoni.

A House That Beer Built Belgian Wit is available now on draft at Big Storm Brewing Co.’s Pinellas and Pasco taprooms. A portion of the proceeds raised from the sale of A House That Beer Built will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County to build a house for a local family in need.  Prost!

 

Big Storm Brewing Co. Rebrands Lightning Twenty Five as Bay Beer

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BSB_BayBeer_BoxCompBig Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that Lightning Twenty Five, a Light Lager released during the 2017-2018 NHL season to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Tampa Bay Lightning, will return this month as a Year-Round offering that will now be known as Bay Beer.

Brewed with “classic American cluster hops and German pilsner barley malt”, Bay Beer is an approachable, easy-drinking Light Lager that is “the perfect beer to celebrate all the great activities and events [Tampa’s] coastal lifestyle has to offer.”  This crushable brew is meant to be enjoyed “cold as hail” while hanging out with your buddies.

“The Lighting Twenty Five was specifically designed as a beer that would appeal to the masses much like the broad appeal of the Tampa Bay Lightning and their brand of entertainment promoted by the National Hockey League. Consumer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and reinforced our vision of the liquid – an approachable light lager that’s meant to be enjoyed by all, not just the craft beer wonk. When the beer medaled at the Best Florida Beer Championships, we felt this offered further validation to the acceptance of a craft light lager. With this move, we are making Bay Beer one of our core beers.”

 

– L.J. Govoni, Big Storm co-owner

Bay Beer is available now in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.  You can expect to find this Year-Round offering “at AMALIE Arena, various Tampa Bay restaurants and bars, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Total Wine & More, select Publix locations and other outlets.”  Prost!

Vital Information for Bay Beer from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round, launching October 2018
Style – American Light Lager
ABV – 4%
Fun Fact – While still under the name Lightning Twenty Five, Bay Beer “captured a bronze in the American-Style Lager category at the Best Florida Beer Championships earlier this year and was the only beer of its style subcategory to medal at the event.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.bigstormbrewery.com/beer-finder/

Big Storm Brewing Co. Expands Distribution to Texas

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MDClogoBig Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has announced that it has teamed up with Mikeska Distributing so that it can begin distributing its Core lineup of beers in Texas.

Big news continues to pour out of Big Storm Brewing Co. this month, and this week the topic is distribution.  After Big Storm and the family-owned Mikeska Distributing were introduced to each other at last year’s National Beer Wholesalers Association trade show in Las Vegas, the two businesses kept a dialogue going and have now officially finalized a partnership that will allow the brewery to extend its distribution reach to the Lone Star State.

Big Storm will enter Texas with Core offerings such as Tropic Pressure Florida Ale and Wavemaker Amber Ale.  If you are not familiar with these offerings, here are both beer’s official descriptions straight from the brewery’s website:

  • Tropic Pressure Florida Ale – A highly drinkable Florida ale steeped with hibiscus flowers for just the right amount of natural sweetness and a hint of cinnamon. Brewed with pale wheat and honey malt, Tropic Pressure pours the color of skin that has been kissed by the warm Florida sunshine. Keep and serve cold as hail!  ABV – 4.4%  IBUs – 17
  • Wavemaker Amber Ale – Big Storm’s very first brew was this amber ale. It presents a wave of flavor with two row Canadian barley coupled with Munich and chocolate malts. Wavemaker® Amber Ale is malt centric and highly drinkable year round with minimal hop bitterness.  ABV – 4.9%  IBUs – 28

“We’re proud to bring the bold and exciting flavors of Big Storm to Texas and join the state’s dynamic craft beer scene. I’m confident this partnership will result in a new wave of Big Storm fans and Texans will fall in love with our award-winning beers like Floridians have,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni.

 

“Big Storm produces high quality craft beers and its knowledgeable staff make it a great asset for Mikeska. I know Big Storm will be a hit in Texas and elevate the range of strong brands we already offer,” Charles Mikeska said.

Big Storm’s Core beers will begin arriving in Texas this month with availability in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft. Craft beer-loving Texans can expect to find Big Storm offerings at beer establishments located within the distribution territory of Mikeska Distributing – an area that includes Austin, Fort Hood, Killeen, Temple, and Waco, Texas. Prost!