A short PSA…Ways to Keep your Local Craft Brewery ALIVE

Your local craft brewery may have survived the major COVID-19 shutdowns, but they’re not out of the woods yet. This post presents ideas and tips on how to make your craft beer spending deliver more value to your local craft brewery.

Background: Many industries were able to pivot and regain market share during the pandemic, (such as retailers who shifted to online sales and Amazon fulfillment models), or establish new businesses based on scarcity (think masks, hand sanitizer, test kit resellers and testing providers) – however, the brick-and-mortar hospitality industry suffered an incredible downturn, from which many small businesses failed to recover. As a member of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) and the local membership director for Tampa Bay NACE, I’m learning just how impactful the last two years of restrictions were on the hospitality industry, but also how resilient and community focused its proponents and owners continue to be. Today’s event planners are the busiest they’ve been for years as people emerge from the scourge of isolation for the past 2+ years – but the same cannot be said for the craft brewing industry.

Craft brewers are still in the early stages of recovery – at least in my home state of Florida. Not only did the whiplash executive orders (within days of each other) force operations to shut down on a moment’s notice rendering brewers with unsaleable perishable inventory, thousands of barrels of fermenting beer had to be dumped between go-no-go false start executive orders. Unlike strip clubs or other venues catering to discretionary spending that had food licenses (where food didn’t need to be ordered), breweries could not sell or operate without a food license and a menu or food-truck ownership. The sanity of shutdowns appeared to be chaotic and non-sensical when bars with meagre food offerings could stay open (selling gallons of domestic beer) while breweries and bars without food could not.

As of this writing, Florida is back to almost pre-pandemic status with all bars, breweries, restaurants, hotels, and sporting events operating at full 100% capacity without the need for masks, vaccine certificates, or restrictions that I know of. While some venues are surging with over 100% capacity (e.g., some sold-out Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 playoff games even featured standing room only tickets), craft breweries have been slower to rebound, and are plagued by supply chain management issues (ingredients, equipment and even serving supplies are scarce or face delays/long lead times) – in addition to the slow return of patrons to their tasting rooms.

Tips to Make your Craft Beer Dollars go further to help your local brewery:

1. BUY LOCAL CRAFT BEER DIRECTLY FROM THE TASTING ROOM – Many people don’t realize that the price you pay for a six-pack of craft beer from a grocery or beer store means that the cost is divided up in thirds by the retailer who needs to profit, the distributor who also needs to profit, and the brewery. Buying directly from the brewery or tasting room – even though it might mean driving across town – gives the entire price of your purchase to the brewery . (Carry out crowlers and growlers are an added option not available in grocers/liquor stores.) Sure you will need to tip the bartender, but in return you’ll get great service, a smile and be helping out the local economy!
2. WHEN YOU USE A PASSPORT OR GROUPON, BUY EXTRA PRODUCT AND BE SURE TO TIP YOUR SERVER – Did you know that Groupon typically takes almost half of the cost of the product or service as their fee, and that the establishment gets zero dollars from your purchase until you actually use the Groupon? This means that if you purchase a “beer flight” for 1/2 price (say at $10. instead of the regular $20.) – the brewery will get their portion (about half of the discounted price) when you use the Groupon. When you use a BOGO (buy one get one free) coupon/passport book, the brewery gets the price of a single pint. Do yourself and the brewery a favor by purchasing additional pints or take-home products at regular price – and don’t forget to tip your servers on the full retail price of the service – they work just as hard for you with a Groupon and deserve the full tip.
3. BRING OUT OF TOWN FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO YOUR FAVORITE BREWERY – Referrals and repeat business are among the top marketing techniques for small businesses. What better way to “sell” your favorite craft brewery than by taking friends and family to see where the beer is actually made? Sure, it helps to order local brews at your favorite restaurants, but it’s even better to stop in at the tasting room for a tour and pint at the brewery. (Many breweries also feature local food trucks with small business owners working to make a living out of their mobile restaurant. Don’t be fooled by the wheels – some of these food trucks are even better than brick-and-mortar establishments!) Tourists rave about local haunts and hidden gems so you’re winning on all fronts when you share your favorite breweries with them. (P.S., many are family-friendly and have outdoor space for your doggies and/or children to play!)
4. WHEN YOU CAN’T BUY LOCAL – AT LEAST BUY INDEPENDENT! – If you’re not in the vicinity of local breweries, then select INDEPENDENT Craft Beers when you shop at your liquor or grocery store. You can tell which ones are independent (not owned by the mass Big Beer producers) – by the symbol of the inverted beer bottle on the label. The Brewer’s Association established this icon several years ago to help consumers recognize independent craft beer.
5. FOLLOW YOUR LOCAL BREWERIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA – and attend their events, and drop by to visit them when you feel like having a beer. There are MANY days when your local brewery tasting room is dead quiet and the bartenders have few customers (typically Monday or Tuesday evenings.) Instead of having a pint at the local wing house, why not throw one back at the local tasting room – you’ll often learn about the new brews on tap and the owners and bartenders will appreciate you!

Together we can make a difference and support our local breweries to survive and thrive. Buy local, buy direct, and buy often.

To your good health!

Cheers,
Carol

Join in on the National Craft Beer Hoard…

*** Update on Mar 18., 2020…

I hope this update finds you healthy and calm and in reasonable spirits today…  our craft beverage and hospitality industry is being hit hard with the virus as it invades our communities in North America (and closer to home for me, in Florida…)

Since I posted the National Craft Beer Hoard, here’s what I picked up in St Petersburg, FL… (I’ll make updates whenever I purchase to-go beer…)

From left to right:

• Overflow Brewing, St Petersburg, FL:  4x 16 oz packaged cans of Play within a Play – Collaboration with Orpheus Brewing – apricot and pineapple sour ale 6% ABV – one of my favorite sours!
• Cage Brewing, St Petersburg, FL:  32 oz growler of Mango Bob’s IPA – 7.7% ABV – delicious!
• Pinellas Ale Works, St Petersburg, FL:  6x 12 oz packaged cans of Milk Bone Sweet Stout – 5% ABV – one of my go-to stouts
• Dissent Brewing, St Petersburg, FL: 6x 12 oz packaged cans of Shovelhead Light Lager – unknown ABV – refreshing and light
• Overflow Brewing, St Petersburg, FL: 2x 32 oz crowlers of Hearts and Bobbleheads sweet/milk stout – 5.3% ABV – the special Valentine release with chocolate and tart montmorency cherries – amazingly delicious

As of today (Mar 18, 2020), small breweries in FL are still allowed to fill and sell growlers/crowlers/package beer for home consumption.

The FL governor announced yesterday that all bars and nightclubs (any establishment for which alcohol sales are at least 50% of sales) are closed for 30 days as of 5pm EDT.

Be safe and responsible, and please, please, please keep in touch with each other (especially if you feel anxious or own or depressed!) – we’re all going to get through this together.  Slainte to your health!  -Carol  ****

—- ORIGINAL POST MAR 16, 2020 —-

Good day Craft Beer drinkers of America!

(I know it’s been a few months since I last posted… but life in the Florida brewing scene has been busy. For more, see my p.p.s. at the end for what I’ve been up to…)

This post is a CALL TO ACTION!  In light of the growing pandemic and related closings of public venues/ bars/restaurants, etc. I feel compelled to ask you to hoard something more than toilet paper and hand sanitizer and keep your local craft brewing industry afloat.

How can you do that?  You can participate in the National Craft Beer Hoard (okay, we can start local and see if it catches on…)

The National Craft Beer Hoard – Part 1:  Stock up on Local Packaged Craft Beer!

Show support for your local brewery by ordering (online or by phone) packaged craft beer and pick it up to go (or in Georgia and other states where it is legal, have it delivered) – and drink it at home.  (This also applies to local wineries, distilleries, cideries, bottle shops, etc! Many operate on low profit margins!)

Craft beer and craft beverages are ideal for in-home drinking while you’re well or taking care of a loved one or cocooning or in quarantine – stock up on craft beer supplies (canned or bottled) from your LOCAL brewery today!  I’m willing to bet they’ll appreciate it.

(And please post pics of your stash as a comment!)

The National Craft Beer Hoard – Part 2:  Hoard a Month or a Year’s Supply of Brewery/Tasting Room/Bar/Restaurant Gift Certificates!

Pay it forward – literally, by buying up supplies of gift certificates from your local brewery/distillery/winery/cidery, restaurant or bar.  It’s easier than ever to help out your favorite pub, tasting room, brewery or restaurant by buying gift certificates (you can give them away as gifts, use them when the business re-opens, or use them for future purchases of to-go packaged craft beer when your supply runs low!)

Why do we need a National Craft Beer Hoard?

One of the hardest hit with the government mandated closures will be our workers and owners of small craft breweries, bars, tasting rooms, retail outlets, event planners and others who are in some way part of our multi-billion dollar industry who are forced (or voluntarily decided out of kindness to patrons’ health) to shut down public access.

Cash flows are going to be an issue to keep these small businesses running – and we all are in this together.

Spend a couple more dollars on craft beer by buying local (even $5 more for a 6 pack of craft beer over the national mass produced international chain beers will help!)  And, I can guarantee your local business will NOT run out of gift certificates !

Stay safe, drink responsibly, and please be kind to each other.  Our community is small, vibrant, and is part of our future!  Let’s drink to your health and the health of our industry!

Cheers,

Carol

P.s., Don’t forget to post pics of your craft beer “hoarding!”

P.p.s., For anyone who is curious about what I’ve been up to in FL Craft Beer… In the past few years, I’ve started speaking about craft beer (globally) including Craft Beverage 101 tasting/education sessions at the annual National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) Experience conferences (2016/ 2017/ 2019) and the international Beer Marketing and Tourism Conference (2020) among others.  In the summer of 2019, I started the LLC called Curated Craft Experiences with a business partner!

I’m also teaching On-Premise TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) – a 4 hour safe alcohol serving workshop for bartenders, breweries and bars. (I’m proud to say I have a 100% pass rate with students – contact me for info!), and I did part-time high volume bartending for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates (until spring training ended last week), and if you’re ever in FL and want to volunBEER at a brewfest, you might be interested to know about my group of 500+ Tampa Bay area volunBEERs  – on Facebook, check out our page “Carol’s VolunBEERs.”  Slainte!

 

 

Creating FOMO events = food + drink + fun + surprises + charity

Let’s get real for a minute… we live in an age of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) when it comes to events, and, at the same time, our entertainment budget is limited by time and $$$.

(Even if you’re Richard Branson with unlimited finances, there’s only 7 days in a week and 24 hours in a day…)

For most of us, we choose events that we hope will be magical and unique (fun) and leave a lasting (positive) impression.

Some of our best memories are typically celebrations having fun with upbeat people (like-minded friends and strangers,) enjoying good food and libations. For me, when I look back on whatever-was the event, I still get a warm, happy feeling.  It’s those feelings we want to create with our new company: Curated Craft Experiences.  It is our goal to exceed our customers’ expectations with lively, unique and fun events that come with a few surprises.

Invitations > Time

For extroverts, social media brings way more invitations to events than most of us have time or money for, and that creates a challenge:  where to go to get the biggest ROI (return on investment)?  For introverts, simply perusing a listing of upcoming social opportunities can be daunting: which ones will be friendly, not too in-your-face, and fun?

We all want events that make us feel part of a community and special (not too many people.) It’s a given that there will be a solid beverage and specialty food lineup with good entertainment.  We anticipate leaving feeling satisfied and it’s a bonus if we feel like we’ve made a difference (because there’s a charity involved.)

So what’s the Magic Formula to Create (and Satisfy) those of us with Expectations and FOMO?

As event planners, two things are always considered for our public events (this is just the beginning – we consider a lot more):

1. Today’s consumers:  Attendees want to feel good about themselves and the world. This means events featuring locally sourced and delicious food (from local vendors), craft beverages (featuring local breweries, cideries and distilleries), a community-based charity, and an upbeat, whimsical atmosphere; and
2. Millennials (those born 1982 to 2004): Many events are the same year after year without considering the changing societal  demographics. Millennials are the next major consumer superpower (even larger than the boomer generation) – and they value quality over quantity, leisure time over money, social responsibility over indulgence, and seek unique, exclusive experiences.

So, the formula I’ve seen work best that satisfies (and delights) the majority of event attendees (not limited by age) is:

The best ROI = Locally sourced food + Local craft beverages (beer/cider or distilled spirits or a combination) + Fun (an element of whimsy) + Surprises (think Pop-up events) + Charity (giving back).

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  (Please comment)

Upcoming Curated Craft Experiences events:

July 8, 2019 – Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) training for bars/bartenders/brewery/restaurant servers by Carol Dekkers at Overflow Brewing, St Petersburg, FL, 5-10pm.

Register here

 

Sept 7, 2019 – 0.1 Mile (528 feet) of Fun Run, Dunedin House of Beer, 3-6 pm.

Register here

 

 

 

Oct 26, 2019 – 0.1 Mile (528 feet) of Scary Fun Run, If I Brewed the World, St Petersburg, FL, 3-6 pm. Register here

 

 

 

Join us for one or more events and overcome your FOMO!  It’s going to be epic fun!

1st World Problems: Carving a Niche in the (Crowded) Craft Beer Market

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When “craft beer” first came on the market in the 1980’s, our national brewing map showed a host of Big Beer strongholds:  St Louis (Budweiser), Milwaukee (Miller), Denver (Coors), and PA (Yuengling,) and a few lonely encampment dots (Anchor, Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams,) scattered in between. Big Beer distribution was speculative and sporadic (Coors was […]

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What do YOU look for in a Craft Beer Festival?

I’m fortunate to live today with all of the craft breweries (and innovative brews) – AND – with the weather here in sunny Florida, we can enjoy it all for 95% of the year.  There is nothing quite like a tropical breeze and sunshine to inspire a solid thirst for good beer – and Tampa/St Petersburg is THE place to be… especially if you enjoy brews that come in  almost every color of the rainbow (visit Arkane Aleworks in Largo, FL if you don’t Frombelieve me!) 

It’s Brewfest Season…

While the most of the world north of here thaws out from a snowy winter, those of us here in Florida are in the midst of a booming Beer Festival Season!  Almost every weekend from February to June sees local breweries scrambling to keep up with the burgeoning brewfest calendar, and patrons scrambling to figure out which brewfests fit their limited discretionary spending.

Every weekend from now to Memorial Day (last Monday in May in the U.S.) you’ll find three or more craft beer festivals in the greater Tampa Bay/Sarasota to Orlando/East Coast area  with each one promising an array of brews, some form of entertainment.  Most have at least some connection to a worthwhile charity.

When you add specialty bottle releases, anniversary parties, fundraisers, and grand openings to the mix, it can get daunting to figure out what’s the best experience you don’t want to miss on a given weekend.

With so many new events and festivals popping up, I hear the same question come up when I talk to brewery owners and craft beer aficionados alike:  “Are there too many local beer festivals?”

How do YOU choose a Beer Festival?
(a comment contest…)

So, I have a question: – With all the choices of local events, how do you choose which beer-related festivals to attend? Is it the specialty brews or hundreds of beer choices?  Does it matter if it’s local or if it’s associated with a charity? Is it about the price, place, friends, Groupon discount or something else?  Do you care if the breweries are local or if you get to meet the brewers?  Does it matter if there are hundreds or thousands of attendees?

I’m curious – will you share your story?    *** Leave me a comment and I’ll select one lucky reader to receive a set of two Tampa Bay area local brewery pint glasses. (U.S. or Canada mailing only.) I choose based on novelty – a good charity, unique location, and local brewery participation, but every experience is different.

Consider VolunBEERing – a New Way to Experience Brewfests

Want to try out a new way to try out new beer festivals without having to pay the entrance fee (and be thanked for attending!) – sign-up as a VolunBEER!  (Check out Carol’s VolunBEERs facebook page where we post local Tampa Bay craft beer event opportunities or visit www.volunbeers.com – this weekend there’s still a few openings to volunteer at the Lakeland Craft Beer and Food Festival  – it’s fun, easy and a great way to be a part of the event! If you can’t make it out, sign-up to be notified of future events.)

 

Up and Coming March and April Beer Festivals in FL!

There are several great (in my opinion) festivals coming up that are worthwhile attending – and the next few weeks offer a few new fests.

Here’s my short list of those I know – (add in the comments section any that you think are also promising!)

Lakeland Craft Beer & Food Festival – Mar 24, 2018 

 

Okay, I’m a bit biased – BUT, if you want to try out a LOT of up-and-coming and established craft breweries that don’t often come out to festivals in FL – this is THE fest for you.  Brass Tap Lakeland has a great relationship with these local breweries who come out every year (and it continues to grow) – click on this link  to get tickets!

 

Mar 30-31, 2018 – Craft Beer and Wine Fest 2018 at the Hilton Daytona Beach

With its east coast waterfront locale, wine (as well as craft beer) and a portion of all proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia County, what more could you ask for?  This is the first ever Craft Beer and Wine Fest by the Hilton Daytona and you have a choice of Friday night (6-9pm) or Saturday day (2-5pm) to choose from.  Tickets are only $45. at the door – I’m aiming to be there Friday night — let me know if you’re going to attend!

 

 

4th Annual Brewmasters Invitational – April 7, 2018 – Cape Canaveral, FL

This one is going to be interesting – and while I haven’t yet been to this one, the event page on Facebook promises a fun event with great beer.  Tickets are reasonable – $25 general admission and $50 VIP for a unique Cape Canaveral experience.

 

 

Thanks for reading – stay warm, refreshed (and please download and use Uber or Lyft to stay safe while you’re enjoying fine FL craft brews!)

Slainte!

Ugly Sweater Brewery Tour – Dec 8, 2017 – St Petersburg FL – Join in the FUN!

If you live in Florida you know that December in St Petersburg (and throughout the state) means warm weather, holiday lights, and Ugly Sweaters!  (Even though we don’t often need them!)

What better way to celebrate the season than with fellow craft beer lovers sharing pot luck snacks and having a bottle share aboard an air-conditioned bus as we visit local breweries and view holiday lights?  BYOB (beer, wine) and a pot luck snack (whatever is sharable) – coolers, cups, ice, etc will be provided by Thirsty Pelican Tours!

Join us (only $39 in advance – tickets at www.thirstypelicantours.com) with pick-up at 6:30pm at Sun Dial (downtown St Pete) and drop off at 10:30pm.  Limited to 30 friends!

This is going to be fun! Here’s the Facebook event page as well:

https://www.facebook.com/events/149584235772497

Heading to VA for Business or Pleasure? Be sure to stop at Loudoun County (LoCo) Breweries

It’s always fun to experience local beer goodness off the beaten path, but Virginia farmland is not where I’d expect to find  yummy craft brews – yet Loudoun county, VA boasts close to 25 breweries in its 147,000 acres of farmland (the colloquial response when I our tour guides about the size of the county.)  Leesburg is the only urban sprawl in Loudoun County.

Thanks to the kind folks at the I took part in a LoCo (Loudoun County) media brewery tour day as a precursor to the Craft Brewers Conference #CBC in April in Washington DC.  The full day tour featured several stops:

1. Adroit Theory Brewing. (Adroit Theory Brewing 404 Browning Ct. Unit C Purcellville, Virginia 20132)

 

 

 

Owner Mark Osborne provided an overview of the brewery operations, generous samplings of their brews on tap, and insights (definitely non-conformist) behind this innovative brewery:

• Androit Theory self-distributes in MD/VA, and has no big plans to go beyond (at this point in time.)  Their limited production line specializes in “big, boozy beers” such as their EBK, a New England style DIPA (a “sessionable” 8.5% abv brew with citra/mosaic/Galaxy hops)
• “Consume life, drink art,” and “brewed to destroy” pay homage to the metal bands that are inspiration behind the brews, labels, and decor.

My favorite brew on tap was the cask Belgian Quad “All I see is Carrion” aged in Bourbon barrel a with cherries, almonds, and coconut, a 12.2% abv glass of smooth finish deliciousness.  The non-cask (bottled) version is available in limited supply at the brewery, and even without the almonds and coconut, it’s an outstanding value.  (I purchased one for an upcoming FL bottle share!)

Adroit Theory is DEFINITELY worth a stop based on the beer variety (a range of styles on tap) and the ambiance.  Merchandise available in the tap-room includes limited release bottles, t-shirts, winter headgear, glassware, and books.

 

2. Vanish Brewing/Black Hops Farm (42245 Black Hops Lane | Leesburg, VA 20176)

A truly organic hop farm and brewery operation featuring 4 acres of hops growing on structures fabricated out of recycled drilling pipe from Texas.

Inside the hop harvesting building sits the Polish manufactured/Slovenian-sourced hop picking and processing machine (purchased with the support of a VA state and Loudoun County matching grant) facilitates the 90 minute picking to processing timeline.

Brews include tangerine and orange brews, IPAs and a selection of always available brews.

My favorite was the tangerine on tap – served up in a six taster flight – Delish!  Merchandise available includes t-shirts, glassware, and other swag collectibles.

 

3. Delirium Cafe USA       (101 S. King Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20175)

This first of its kind in the U.S. – a formal location of the famed Delirium Cafe (Brussels) – hopes to be open “in 3 weeks”  (it’s been 6 years in the making) according to the owners/partners whose patience with licensing, contractors, and other delays is beyond the realm of most business people.  Their dedication to the craft of craft beer (in particular Delirium and other Belgian delights) carries over to their renovation of  a relic 170-year old building in downtown Leesburg.  Delirium Cafes in other countries are known for their brews but not their locations (often seedy) – and it’s nice to witness a new tradition in the making with this new locale.  It’s a standalone building (two suites were annexed into one) boasting hardwood floors and brick that creates a cozy, turn of the century, yet upscale/urban space that already feels like a trendy new spot even before it’s open.  I can’t wait to visit and try a few of their 25 draught taps and over 150 bottle varieties.

While the traditional Delirium Cafe in Amsterdam (and other locations throughout the world) typically focus on beer, this Leesburg space will also feature on-premise prepared food to go along with the fine brews.

Scheduled (for real!) to open this week (May 10, 2017!)  in downtown Leesburg, VA.

4. Lost Rhino Brewing Co     (21730 Red Rum Drive, Suite 142, Ashburn, VA 20147)

I love artistic spaces that celebrate beer and art and Lost Rhino is a perfect example!  Chalk art (by local Instagram artist “Chalkoholic Chalk Designs”) is everywhere creating an inviting and colorful tasting room.  If pictures say 1000 words, then the gallery below speaks volumes but doesn’t do justice to the innovation of the brews (more about that below,) and the ambiance created by the decor.

Lost Rhino Brewing gained international recognition in part due to it’s moniker “Rhino Chaser” (in surfer lingo it means seeking the largest wave) and due to the attention garnered by their “Bone Duster” Amber Ale, a 6.5% amber ale brewed with the yeast extracted from a millions of years old whale fossil.  The brew was featured in both the Scientific American Journal and PlayBoy’s 2014 online list of the World’s 10 most Interesting Beers.

In addition to creativity, support for Rhino adoption in Africa, and great brews, Lost Rhino also features live weekend entertainment staged in front of their lighted wall of empty beer cans (awaiting packaging.)  A must stop if you’re in the area!

 

 

5. Old Ox Brewing                (44652 GUILFORD DRIVE, UNIT 114,  ASHBURN, VA 20147)

According to the Old Ox Brewery owners (a family business named after a notable county road), the brewery caters “first and foremost” to their  customers in Northern Virginia with local package distribution.  As a 3-year old, community-focused company, Old Ox believes that it is more important to service their cadre of bar, restaurant and grocery accounts personally than it is to expand quickly, and they count their community partners and charitable causes as friends.

And they are innovative!  Old Ox’s imperial IPA embraced a bold step to brewing by using powdered hops (Humulus Lupulus) to gain a better batch yield.  IPA fans on our tour loved the brew, but as a non-hophead (come drink with me and you can have all the IPA’s!), I gravitated to the Funky Face Cherry Sour (a 5% ABV cherry sour) and enjoyed it thoroughly against the backdrop of VA cherry blossoms.

What a wonderful and delicious day it was – and a true testament to the imagination of craft brewers everywhere.  With 25 (and counting) craft breweries in Loudoun County (LoCo) alone, VA is becoming a BEERcation destination.

Many thanks to the Loudoun County organizers and the breweries who participated!

I’ll be back. 🙂

Belgian Beer 101 – For People who Love People who Love Belgian Beer

Ideas to Help with Holiday Giving…

Every year when holiday season rolls around and I’m browsing my local craft beer aisle for new brews, I watch nervous parents, grandparents, husbands/wives, and other adults aimlessly scanning beer labels in hopes of choosing just the right combination of beers for their loved ones who love Belgian craft beer.

Harried sales clerks are often too busy to repeat their picks to yet another clueless customer whose son/daughter/boyfriend/girlfriend loves specialty beer.  While it’s easy to pick up a six-pack of something local, many are looking for an introduction to Belgian Beer so that they can make informed choices.

Note that beer drinkers are like art lovers or foodies!  There are often style/flavor preferences that differ between friends and family members about their beer preferences: the light beer drinkers who buy whatever is cheapest in the 24 can pack (stop reading now,) those who prefer Belgian beer (this is for you and yours,) those who are American craft beer lovers (see my next blog post,) while some are just getting into the “beer world.”   

For those who love Belgian beer and those who love them, I compiled Belgian Beer 101 – for yourself (if you want to know more) or print out for a loved one who simply isn’t as knowledgeable or passionate about Belgian beer as you are.  (You can thank me when you finally get a delicious gift of good Belgian Beer !)

One point to note – if you or your recipient is into BELGIAN BEER – buy Authentic Belgian!  

Don’t be swayed by a bottle or package of Belgian-style American craft beer (unless you’re really on a budget.)  Belgian imported brews have unique flavors that come through generations of pride, tradition, barrel aging and often wild Belgian (in the air) yeast.  It’s like being transported to Belgium and living the good life!  For me, the
deep richness that comes with my favorite Belgian brews are worth the extra couple of dollars I might spend.  (It might sound snobby, but I like what I like.)

Still stumped?

Create a gift basket or 6 pack of several different Belgian beers:  For starters choose different styles that show the diversity of Belgian beers:

1. One bottle of Lambic (you probably won’t think it is beer because it tastes more like a fruity champagne-style drink than a “traditional” U.S. style beer.  This is a great choice for anyone who might have to share their gift with someone who “isn’t really into the taste of beer” (we ALL know people who say this!)  Brouwerij  (Brewery) Van Honsebrouck N.V. brews St Louis lambics:  Framboise (French for Raspberry) and Kriek (French for Cherry);
2. A couple of barrel-aged  brews such as the Brouwerij De Brabandere’s Petrus suite of beers including  Petrus Oude Bruin, Petrus Aged Red (my favorite – it’s deep  amber color and sweet) and Petrus Pale ale.  If you or your recipient are a bit adventurous, you might want to take a look at the combination “Sour Power 6-pack” (it comes with instructions on how to blend the brews to get your perfect taste!);
3. One bottle each of a Dubbel, a Tripel and a Quad.

This would give you a nice varied six-pack of small (11.2 oz) bottles. If you want to create a basket – 2 or 3 of the larger 25 oz / 750 ml (wine bottle sized) bottles or a large and a couple of small bottles, together with a couple of Belgian beer goblets or flutes that match the brewery (or blank ones) makes a great gift. (I’d choose one of the Brewery De Bradandere’s barrel-aged brews, plus a Dubbel and a Quad for variation.)

Happy holiday season, and please share, like, comment – and let me know if this has helped you with your holiday giving !  If you’d like me to send you a copy by email, send me a note at caroldekkers@gmail.com with the subject Belgian Beer 101.  I’ll also be doing a Craft Beer 101 in the next couple of weeks.  Are you interested?

As the Belgians would say:  à votre santé (to your health) or Proost! (cheers!)

Belgian Beer 101 – Page 1

Belgian Beer 101 – Page 2

Part 3: Orlando North TTD (Things To Do) – off the beaten (theme park) path…

Want a change of pace from the Orlando area theme park lines, crowds, fantasy and hype?

Why not get off the beaten theme park path and discover some hidden gems a short drive from the big parks?

(This is part 3 of a trilogy of posts – see also Beercation:  Take a look at Orlando North Seminole County FL – a Stones Throw from Theme Parks  and Part-2: Food Worth Going out for — Orlando North Delivers Taste over the top )

Here’s a few notable Seminole County (Orlando North) ideas for your consideration:

• HOTEL:  Orlando Marriott – Lake Mary (rates under $200.) 

Just off of I-4 East of Orlando, the Lake Mary Marriott is a perfect pivot point for both Orlando proper and theme parks and Seminole County towns and villages.  In addition to comfortable rooms, the Lake Mary site boasts incredible food and catering (including craft beer and food pairings for events!)  Here’s a few pics to whet your whistle:

• CRAFT BEER BAR:  Celery City Craft (craft beer taproom, wine, growlers, bistro) -Sanford, FL

Sanford, FL was originally known as “Celery Capital” based on the celery fields a hundred or so years ago.  Today, Celery City Craft is THE place for a wide choice of over 100 local, US and international beers (draught and bottles) with wine and food available.  Without the pretentiousness of many newfangled “craft beer” boutiques, Celery City is friendly,  down-home and a great place to grab a brew or two and settle in with good food.  Beer flights (sample sizes of multiple brews served on a “paddle”) available.

• LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WITH FOOD AND DRINK:  Route 46 Entertainment Area (newly re-opened) – Sanford, FL

Make an entire evening out of dinner and live entertainment by  visiting the newly opened Route 46 area – stop for delicious country BBQ (with many sauces!) and then stay for live band entertainment at the outdoor seating area or visit the indoor “saloon” complete with a turn of the century bar.

• NATURAL ISLAND GETAWAY WITH KAYAKS AND BBQs (in a city neighborhood!)  – Wekiva Island – 1014 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779

Nestled against the Wekiva River, this close to zero carbon footprint recreation area features craft beer (25 local and national craft beer taps + over 100 cans,) wine, foot trucks (Check out Firepit Fridays!), kayak and canoe rentals, boot launch, cabana rentals (weekday and weekends,) event areas (think weddings, receptions, corporate events), a gift shop and weekend entertainment.  Bring the family and friends and spend a lazy day/evening in the wilderness against the natural backdrop of FL cypress, the slow-moving Wekiva River, otters with BBQs available with all cabana.  Check their website (link above) for special events and evening hours. Boat stowage available.

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• FURNITURE STORE BY DAY – CRAFT BEER BAR BY NIGHT:  Washburn Imports and Imperial Bar – Sanford, FL

One word for this craft beer and wine bar (come furniture store by day) – AMBIANCE!  When the sun sets on the fine furniture at Washburn Imports in Sanford, the bar opens and the place comes alive.  Aside from the incredible artistic bar (designed by local artist Blair Sliger,) the beer is fresh and local, the wine exquisite and the decor – well, think about sitting on heavy, expensive, imported wood furniture that eeks of Malaysia or the Philipines.  If I lived closer, this would be my #1 choice for a Friday or Saturday night romantic spot – even if I didn’t have a date!  A must see in Sanford… even if you just stop in for a single nightcap.

• SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH FRIENDS – LimoCycle.Com – Sanford, FL

Ever wanted to convince yourself that you are burning calories and improving your health during an evening of bar-hopping?  I’m not a fitness and drinking crazed person, so I always opt for the “no-peddling” seat, but the Limo Cycle is lots of fun and exercise.  Drinks are included with the price (as low as $40 per person) and reservations are accepted.  Tell Steve (the owner) I sent you – he’s a great guy and knows plenty about the local area history.  Options range from 2 hour pub tours, game events to 5 hour birthday party tours.  Whether you’re single, a couple or part of a group that wants to try something different – LimoCycle.com is a good option with lots of available potential stops (Sanford Brewing, Wops Hops Brewing, Celery City Craft, etc.)

Part 2: Food Worth Going out For – Orlando North delivers Taste over the Top

 This is the 2nd in a 3 part series about the breweries, restaurants, and things to do in Seminole County / Orlando North.  For more info see Part 1: Beercation? Take a look at Orlando North/ Seminole County, FL – Within a stone’s throw of theme parks  Don’t forget about the upcoming (soon!) Sanford Beer Week (an entire week of events!) November 15-22, 2016.

Food, glorious Food!

I don’t know about you but in today’s lean economic times, I’m more careful about my discretionary spending – especially when it comes to eating out at a new restaurant in a new locale.

Before I get in the car, I  do research (internet, Facebook foodies groups, Better Business Bureau, plus online reviews (lots!), advice from friends and family.) It’s time-consuming, but I remind myself that it increases the odds of a good meal.  Given the myriad of factors happening behind the scenes at a restaurant (servers, ingredients, kitchen staff, day of the week, time, etc.) having a great meal sometimes seems to be more luck, than science.

UNTIL NOW…  When I was invited to a 3 day FAM trip in September (tourist jargon for FAMiliarization trip…) courtesy of DoOrlandoNorth.com/Seminole County Tourism, and Paradiseadv.com (thank you to Roseangela Santiago for Orlando North, Seminole County Tourism and Mary Jane Kolassa, Public Relations for setting it up!) I discovered Food Worth Going out For!  Without exception, I had some of the BEST FOOD ever in Seminole County… and I’m thrilled to share my finds with you!

What’s so Special about Seminole County for foodies and families?

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Seminole County is a combination of upscale, active, fun places with a down-home-authentic-FL-vibe (think “tropical suburbia”) and similar to a northeast U.S. village/ suburb with better climate and more affordable prices!

Sanford and the other villages I visited reminded me of New Haven, CT (with old-fashioned-country style downtown areas housing modern boutiques, restaurants and bars within walking distance of each other.)  The area is ideally suited for couples, families, and business visitors who want relaxation combined with  great food, glorious sunsets and Florida charm.

Where it’s worth going out…  in Seminole County

Restaurants are like movies – every one has a story and a unique angle and the restaurants and bars listed here shared one thing in common:  passion for the overall dining experience from customer service to fresh ingredients to unique presentations.  (Warning, food pics ahead!)

Here a few of the best in Seminole County:

Tennessee Truffle  – BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Address: 125 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
Phone: (407) 942-3977
Hours: Tues-Sat 7:30 am – 2 pm

My quote:  “EVERYTHING I SAMPLED HERE WAS INCREDIBLE!”

Much like its namesake vegetable (the first bulb to pop-up in springtime,) newcomer restaurant Tennessee Truffle, started out as a pop-up restaurant experience for which demand quickly outgrew the occasions. Now that owner and executive chef, Nate Russell, has signed a 6-year lease, Tennessee Truffle has found a permanent home as a brick and mortar kitchen and restaurant.

There were so many interesting dishes on the menu (it would have been tough to choose only one!) so it was heaven when Nate proposed sample sizes of a few signature dishes (some pictured below) and ended with Buttered popcorn ice cream (made on site) and the Chocolate Gravy biscuit.

My personal favorite was the Florida citrus cured salmon – refreshing, fresh and slightly tart (everything I tried was delicious!) Most menu items allow for sampling (Cream corn & grits $4.50,  The next time I’m in Sanford, I’ll definitely make this a stop!

Notable notes about Tennessee Truffle:  Decor is unpretentious, clean and homey; restaurant is family friendly (with a special kids menu); staff is approachable (patient with questions!); and there are fun touches (you can draw on the tables with chalk – provided!)  You can even buy their specialty coffee and pickled ramp to take home.  Beer (local FL craft and domestics) and wine are also available.

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Crepevine – BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Address: 249 FL-436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Phone: (321) 972-8999
Hours: Sun-Thurs 7:30 am – 9 pm ; Fri/Sat 7:30 am-10 pm

http://www.thecrepevine.com/

My quote: “BEST PLACE  FOR MADE-TO-ORDER CREPES AT GREAT PRICES.”

Crepevine lives up to its slogan “fast, fresh, friendly” with fresh, as-you-wait crepes ranging from savory to sweet – with an innovative selection of flavor combinations – or – you can choose your own.  It reminded me of similar restaurants I’ve only seen in London (UK) and Scandinavia where freshness and natural ingredients are prized.

Breakfast crepes (11 special ones) are served until 11am M-F and until 2pm on weekends, but the variety of crepes filling options available all day (5 fruits, 5 cheeses, 7 protein/meats, 10 veggies, and 11 sauces) plus an array of sweet crepes (such as kloob nika: banana, fresh straw berries, kiwi, whipped cream and nutella for $7.29) and even salads (all reasonably prices at 6.99.) — the combinations give an almost endless array of possibilities.

Prices range from $4.99 for a full sized custom veggie + egg or protein + egg breakfast crepe to $12.29 for the “annihilator”  (chicken x2, bacon x2, turkey, cheese x2, mushroom, green pepper, onion, spinach, lettuce, and topped with trifecta sauce!)  There’s also a children’s crepe menu (turkey or grilled cheese or PB&J or ham and cheese) priced at $3.29.

Bottled beer (yes, craft!) and wine are available (mimosas and crepes, yumm!)   The kitchen and the entire restaurant was pristine clean (I love that) and the staff all seemed happy to be working there (unusual in FL!)  Outdoor, dog-friendly seating (a staff member even took a dog dish out to patrons!) is also available.  Don’t miss this one!

Notable notes about Crepevine:  Dog-friendly patio, Gluten free crepes upon request, Friday night special (buy 2 savory crepes, get a free nutella crepe after 4pm on Fridays), take out orders available, children’s menu, beer/wine/champagne.

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Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe – LUNCH, DINNER
Address: 205 E 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771
Phone: (407) 321-2204
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11 am – 9 pm; Fri/Sat 11 am-10 pm

www.hollerbachs.com

Magnolia Square Market (A True German Deli) – Sun-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-8 pm

My quote: “YOU WON’T FIND MORE AUTHENTIC GERMAN FOOD ANYWHERE.”

Proprietor and chef Theo Hollerbach started the restaurant and bar 15 years ago (15 year anniversary Aug 1, 2016) and continues his German family tradition as a 5th generation butcher and chef.

The food was varied (see the slide show for a few of the traditional dishes Theo serves up), tasty and absolutely authentic (he knows his stuff!)  German pride is evident in the food, decor, beer (both bottled and on tap,) ciders, Schnapps (a wide variety!) and traditions including the Schunkelabend nightly live entertainment Thurs-Sun.

Theo remarked that his restaurant packs in regulars ranging in age from 5 to 95 – with a cadre of regulars who frequent the restaurant for the food as much as the entertainment and German brews.  If you’re looking for authentic (and delicious) German fare with a side of fun, Hollerbach’s is a great choice.

Notable notes about Hollerbach’s:  It’s a family affair with Theo’s wife and daughter working at the restaurant.  The beer list (that’s my forte) is impressive and features both draught and bottle choices.  The outdoor seating expands the restaurant by approximately 40% and the venue is suitable for large family, team or corporate events.  Down-home German cooking!  (And if you’re here during October, be sure to stop in for the two day annual Sanford Oktoberfest at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe.)

The Magnolia Square Market (literally around the corner from the restaurant) is one of the area’s largest and most extensive German markets with fresh sausage, cheeses, and desserts made on premise, as well as non-perishable delicacies from overseas.  If you’re looking for direct-from-Germany food items, you’re likely to find it here.

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The Town House Restaurant  – BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER

Address: 139 N Central Avenue, Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: (407) 365-5151
Hours: Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 6:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

http://www.oviedotownhouse.com/

My quote:  “THE BEST LITTLE (WITH LOTS OF SEATING) DINER IN FL ”

Owner Leigh Ann’s obsession with chickens is just part of the local charm and down home goodness of The Town House Restaurant.  It’s no wonder this place is a favorite with locals and tourists alike.  Leigh Ann mentioned that their regulars are as close as family – especially the ones who eat every meal there (and staff will drive by their home if they don’t show up for dinner, just to make sure they are okay!)

The family atmosphere extends to the staff – their names are on the tables they serve, and the restaurant is a close-knit part of the community.  I dined at breakfast and had one of the best Florentine Benedict’s I’ve ever tasted.  It was large, fresh, and the hollandaise was pure heaven.  Unusual for a diner, Town House has several craft beers on tap (who doesn’t like beer for breakfast!)  I’d definitely come back to try their lunch or dinner specials based on the atmosphere (everyone in local government and the community dines here!)

Notable notes:  Bar stools at the counter create a cordial atmosphere for singles, and the place is open, airy and suitable for families and groups.  No outdoor dining but the large windows overlooking the bike and nature trail give a great outlook regardless of the weather.

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Lonnie’s Fusion Cuisine  – LUNCH AND DINNER

Address: 124 N. Fourth St., Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: (407) 878-5804
Hours: Mon – Sat 11:00 am – 9:00 pm,  Closed Sundays

http://www.lonniesfusioncuisine.com/

My quote: “BEST CHOICE FOR A DATE NIGHT OUTING OR SPECIAL OCCASION”

While typically the term “fusion” implies Asian inspired dishes, owner and chef, Lonnie, describes his Fusion Cuisine as being “Caribbean French with sauces.”  The result is a menu of innovative dishes with the freshest ingredients available anywhere.  For example, Lonnie sources his seafood from the local fish market across the street daily and creates his menu based on availability of the fresh catch.  His buttered spinach was incredible (worth the visit itself!) as was the Grouper on Black Eyed Pea Cake with Citrus and Poblano Peppers.  My mouth waters just thinking of it.

The restaurant features mostly affordable (yet unique) wines, as well as half a dozen local craft beers on tap.  Other group members remarked favorably on their pork and other meat dishes, which all paired well with Lonnie’s featured wine (see pics below.)  Lonnie’s is ideal for a romantic date night or a small group (it’s not a large place) with indoor and sidewalk patio seating.  It’s a nice refuge for a quiet dinner, with a sports bar next door if diners are meeting up with a group or favoring a touch of sports to accompany a post dinner nightcap.

Notable Notes: Freshest ingredients, with innovative and flavorful taste combinations.  Great date night venue (upscale yet affordable) with comfortable outdoor seating.

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Smiling Bison Restaurant – DINNER
Address: 107 S Magnolia Ave,       Sanford, FL 32771
Phone: (407) 915-6086
Hours: Tue – Sat: 5 pm to 10 pm with Happy Hours: Tue – Sat 5 pm to 6 pm

http://smilingbison.com/sanford/

My quote: “SMILING BISON WILL HAVE YOU SMILING EAR-TO-EAR WITH A SATISFIED BELLY”

The farm-to-table reputation of Smiling Bison carries through to its rustic decor – chic yet reserved with lots of natural wood.  The food and menu carry through with fresh vegetables and high quality meats.  Portion sizes are large and shareable, savory (delish) and innovative.

The general atmosphere was friendly and reminded me of rustic, open plains, Colorado style restaurants – and the Bison Steak was incredible:  rare, lean, tender, and so so good!  We tasted many different appetizers and main course offerings and everything we tried was fresh, fresh, fresh!

Notable Notes:  Craft beer and wine are available to pair with the food.  While there is no outdoor seating (at least in front), the restaurant is open and airy with high ceilings.  Food is fresh and tasty – and a definite stop before heading out for an evening of bar hopping or brewery visiting in Sanford!

Vinzo’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria – LUNCH AND DINNER
Address:  1006 State Road 436, Casselberry, FL 32707
Phone: (407) 331-9090
Hours: Mon-Sun 11 am – 10 pm

http://www.vinzos.com/

My quote:  “UNPRETENTIOUS ITALIAN WITH AUTHENTICITY”

If I lived in Casselberry, I’d be a regular at Vinzo’s both because of the food and the approachability and passion of the namesake owner.  Staying true to a solid gourmet lineup of Sicilian family recipes (Lobster Ravioli, Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Cacciatore, among many others!), Vinzo’s outdoes itself in presentation and taste.

Just seeing the pics and remembering the savory and rich tastes (I especially love the heartiness of fresh mushrooms in Italian dishes!) makes me hungry even if I’ve just finished a meal.  Located in a strip mall next to Bowigen’s Beer Company (a favorite and featured in my last post) – I know I’d be spending time and expanding my waistline (willingly!) at Vinzo’s.

I can almost smell the aroma !

Notable Notes:  Great for takeout and dining in – the wait staff are friendly and knowledgeable (and patient with questions on the menu,) and bottled beer and wine (wine is their specialty) are available.  I would say, hands-down, this was the best Italian I’ve had in a long time (including my recent visit to Italy in May!)  Worth a drive for a date or a family outing!

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I don’t know if I could live in Seminole County without gaining weight because all of these restaurants would be on my list of favorite haunts!

Please let me know what YOUR experience is like when you visit.  Happy fooding!

Beercation? Take a look at Orlando North/ Seminole County, FL – Within a stone’s throw of theme parks

Quick!  When you think of Orlando, what comes to mind?

For me, it was theme parks, traffic, orange groves and Cape Canaveral – until I took a Beer and Foodie trip to Seminole County courtesy of DoOrlandoNorth.com/Seminole County Tourism, and Paradiseadv.com (thank you to Roseangela Santiago for Orlando North, Seminole County Tourism and Mary Jane Kolassa, Public Relations for setting it up!)

Having toured the local breweries in Seminole county – now I think “BEERCATION:  Seminole County.”

Sidenote:  This is the first of 3 blog posts stemming from the 2 1/2 day FAM trip.  Keep an eye out for additional posts featuring some of the best spots in Seminole County, FL.

First off, what’s going on with Beer in Florida ?

Florida is “home base” to over a hundred craft breweries including the one of the oldest in the nation: Yuengling Bros., several mainstay award-winning breweries (such as Dunedin Brewery, Tampa Bay Brewing Company, and Cigar City Brewing) and many new (less than 2 years old) up-and-coming notables.

Fellow beer blogger and friend, Gerard Walen (who coincidentally was also on this FAM trip,) dmaintains and up-to-date FL brewery map on his BeerInFlorida.com site.  He is the author of Florida Breweries (a great read and a unique gift for anyone who is into craft beer and the stories behind the brewers, owners and the beers they brew!)

Florida is becoming a craft beer haven – especially when weather turns chilly in more northern climes.  Lately, there’s a beer fest or new brewery opening every weekend.  Seminole County is home to half a dozen well-respected breweries and craft beer bars – read on for details.

And, if you’re a fan of “Beer Weeks” (a week-long celebration dedicated to craft beer events) – you’re in luck because Sanford Beer Week is fast approaching: November 15-22, 2016.

Sidenote:  I took Facebook Live videos (you can see them on my timeline Carol Dekkers from Sept 20-23, 2016) but when I converted /uploaded them to You Tube for linking here, they became SILENT (or almost silent) movies.  When I get the link from the Seminole County television coverage (which was at all the locations) – I’ll update this blog posting. Meanwhile, thank you for your understanding!

A few notable Seminole County Breweries:

• Hourglass Brewery:  480 S Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood FL

Hourglass Brewing is a 4-year old brewery that has been open at the current location for almost two years. They boast an impressive array of 15-20 innovative brews on tap (I can’t wait for the Cloudberry bottle release!) – all served in proper non-pint-glass glassware – and  a new barrel program (20 bbl foeder.) The tasting room space is wide open (two-story ceilings, lots of open space) and adorned with Star Wars and action figure memorabilia.  Glass doors to the huge bottle release cooler and windows showcasing the brewing areas add to the feeling of openness even when the taproom is crowded for their weekend live music and movies.

Interesting tidbits I found out about during our tour:

• Head brewer Matt Gemmell started out as a bartender (with a passion and talent for brewing);
• Marketing director Jeremy Gonzalez is also their label artist with a great talent for fantasy themed graphics;
• All of the fermenters are named after Muppets characters;
• The barrel program (new) will feature tequila, rum, gin, and Sauvignon blanc barrels;
• The brewers like to challenge each other and have brewed batches beers with ingredients ranging from yarrow and cranberry hibiscus to rosemary, paprika and even roasted sheeps head.  The current selection on tap included two sours (yumm!)

My onsite video at Hourglass ended up with poor sound quality, but click on the photo below to open the slide show of brewery pics.  Worth a visit.

• Wop’s Hops Brewing  419 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

Oct 22, 2016 marked the 2nd anniversary of Sanford’s first brewery.  Co-owner and brewer Greg (who you’ll often find working the taps in the tasting room) is unabashedly proud of being the “Wop” of Wop’s Hops Brewing Company. Greg is a strong supporter of craft brewing in the area, and helped other breweries in Sanford get started.  Aside from the passion for brewing and supporting charitable community causes, one notable difference about Wop’s Hops is their on site kitchen featuring (thank you!) non-pub style food made on premise by classically trained Chef Jason.  It’s great to see a brewery that also takes pride in the gourmet selections (including a section for 4-legged doggie patrons.)

 The day I visited, Wops Hops had a number of their own brews on tap ranging from their Peach Cream (one of my favorite peach beers!) and their Golden Stout (both on Nitro) to their Marshmallow Chocolate Peanut Butter Ale (think s’mores!) and IPAs.  In addition, there were several guest taps (which rotate.)

The food was amazing (thank you Chef Jason) and the tasting room was cosy and friendly. Outside is a dog and kid-friendly beer garden area.   A definite stop if you’re looking for good beer in Seminole Country!

While Wops Hops does not yet package bottles or cans for distribution, you can buy a Wops Hops growler filled to go – but with the great food options, why not stay and enjoy the brews on site?

The tasting room and beer garden are open Wed-Sun (see their Facebook page for special holiday hours):

Monday – Tuesday	CLOSED
Wednesday	4:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday – Friday	4:00pm – 12:00am
Saturday	1:00pm – 2:00am
Sunday	11:30am – 9:00pm

Here’s a quick video visit with Greg at Wops Hops Brewing:  (my apologies for the lack of clarity on the menu – it isn’t restricted or blocked out (even though it looks like it!) – that’s the Facebook Live video format…)

•  Red Cypress Brewery – 855 E. State Rd 434 Winter Springs, FL 32708

Red Cypress Brewery just celebrated their first anniversary and in our visit with Ryan Patrick, the owner and CEO, he mentioned that they are serious about increasing their mark on the Florida market with distribution (cans) plus crowlers (32 oz onsite cans filled to order and sealed to go) and growlers.  Current distribution includes Polk, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties (FL.)

The Red Cypress tasting room is smaller than the one at Hourglass, but larger than Wops Hops, kid-friendly (open spaces when it’s not crowded) with ample room for groups.  Food trucks and local delivery are available for food.

Red Cypress is entering into barrel aging with an expansive brewing and aging area behind the tasting room.  On tap the day I visited in late Sept were:

• Deep Roots (lager like amber)
• Fruit de la terre (Saison)
• Spook Hill Pale Ale (named after the optical illusion in Lake Wales)
• Devils Chair IPA (similar to Two Hearted Ale by Bells Brewing)
• Death Roll Milk Stout
• Summer Nights (a hoppy and delicious! peach wheat ale made with 1000 lb of peaches in the batch)

My SILENT video (I have no idea what happened to the audio!  It WAS there when I posted this on FACEBOOK Live!  At least you can see the venue!)  features Ryan Patrick of Red Cypress – definitely worth a visit to this brewery:

• Bowigens Beer Company     1014 State Road 436, Casselberry, FL 32707

It was refreshing to meet someone as passionate about music (see the guitar in the logo,) innovative ingredients (you have to read their tap list), and the community as Bobby Bowen, co-owner/brewer of Bowigens Beer Company.  (I found it reassuring to find multiple Lyft taxi brochures throughout the tasting room including the front entrance to encourage responsibility and safe rides home for patrons.)

Bowigens is set in a renovated strip mall featuring an outstanding Italian restaurant: Vinzo’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria (the subject of a future blog post) so I could imagine spending long evenings doing my best to pair Italian food with the brews on tap (might take multiple evenings to do this justice!)

The tasting room is similar in size to Wops Hops in Sanford, and equally inviting and cosy.  The brewery is in the back and it’s clear that quality is a big focus as every brew I tasted there was fresh and true to style.  As the final operating brewery on our tour, it was great to note that all four breweries touted friendly service, approachable staff (who were happy to answer questions and provide understandable, non-techie answers – thank you!)

Bowigens is open every day and definitely a solid stop on your beercation in Seminole County.  Hours of operation:
Sunday | 3-10 p.m.
Monday | 5-10 p.m.
Tuesday | 5-10 p.m.
Wednesday | 5-10 p.m.
Thursday | 5-10 p.m.
Friday | 3 p.m. – midnight
Saturday | Noon – midnight

Here’s the on-location silent screen video with Bobby Bowen (my apologies for the lack of sound! but you can see Bobby’s passion in talking about his brewery – you’ve simply got to visit to hear his story first-hand!)

Sanford Brewing was not yet open for business but had anticipated doing so by November 1, 2016. Their seating rivaled that of Hourglass – topping out with capacity just over 150 patrons with live entertainment and a full kitchen in addition to fresh onsite brewed beer.

Check out Sanford Brewing at http://www.sanfordbrewing.com/

Whether you’re looking to round out a theme park/convention trip with some great beer or if you’re in the market for a Beercation that delivers the goods with personality and panache, Seminole County brewers will whet your whistle for more.   Sure, you can still head to a theme park (within a short drive) – but with the breweries I visited, why bother?

Let me know what you think!

Carol

#BBC2016 – #JAXALETRAIL – #BAYCRAFTED – #LIVEAMPLIFIED – Recapping the 2016 Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference (Tampa) in Pics

It’s been exactly one month since the Beer Bloggers and Writers Conference (#BBC16) was here in Tampa, and, as a result, our entire bay area has benefitted from the hundreds of blog posts, publicity, beer pics, brewery visits, friendships made, beers consumed and follow-on business that any social media focused conference can amass.

It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be a part of such an illustrious group of passionate, optimistic and fun-loving people. For me, it’s also what I’d call “a happiness achievement” to consider so many beer bloggers and writers throughout the world my friends.  Thank you to Zephyr Adventures and everyone involved throughout the past 7 years who have made this such an inclusive and growing community!

I’m a visual, right brained thinker so I tend to remember things through pictures (looking at my camera roll is better than a calendar!) As such, I’ve combined my pics into a google pictures “movie” as a recap of the entire Thurs-Sunday July 7-10, 2016 weekend.  Enjoy!  (And thank you to Kelli Matheny @ladycrafter for the idea to use google pics movie app!)

PRE-Conference (Thurs July 7) Excursion – Jacksonville FL breweries:

Visits included Bold City Brewing, Engine 15 brewing, #Kickbacks Gastropub, Aardwolf Brewing, Wicked Barley Brewing…  Thank you to #onlyinJAX and #JAXALETRAIL for arrangements!

Day 1 Conference (Fri  July 8) – Tampa FL,

Conference sessions, Green Flash reception, Beer Paired Dinner Marriott Waterside, Trade Show, Night of Many Bottles

Day 2 Conference (Sat  July 9) – Tampa FL:

Conference sessions, WOB Westchase (Miller Coors) luncheon, Live Beer Blogging (J.J.Taylor), Progressive Dinner (Coppertail, Cigar City, Ulele Springs)

Day 3 — 1/2 day Conference and Post-conference excursion (Sun Fri  July 8) – Tampa FL:

Conference sessions, Post Conference excursion to St Pete Clearwater breweries: 3 Daughters, Green Bench, Cycle, Rapp Brewing

 

Thank you !!!

to so many organizers, breweries, wait staff, Zephyr Adventures, the Marriott Waterside, Jacksonville Ale Trail, Visit St Pete Clearwater, Tampa Bay Beer Crafted, trade show participants, speakers, moderators, distributors, and fellow attendees. It was so great to have the conference here in the Tampa/St Petersburg area and showcase the talent, innovation and truly hospitable FL venues in paradise!

Slainte!

There’s nothing like Speed Dating with Breweries (I think I’m in Love)

One of the most popular sessions at the annual Beer Bloggers and Writers Conference   is called Live Beer Blogging, (this year #BBC16 was the 7th conference,) during which attendees sample tastes of a dozen brews in rapid succession over the course of an hour.  Described affectionately as ‘speed dating with breweries’ (without the obnoxious nature of regular speed dating,) we sample a variety of beers introduced and poured by local brewers/brewery reps in 5 minute increments.

Live Beer Blogging creates memories that stick.  I remember my first meeting with Night Shift at BBC13 in Boston – it was a love at first taste experience!  Now, when someone brings a Night Shift brew to a bottle share, I’m taken back to that night in Boston 3 years ago.

This year’s conference just finished two days ago here in my home city of Tampa, FL, with JJ Taylor Distributing hosting the Live Beer Blogging.  10 regional and national brews waltzed across our table hoping to find favor with bloggers and writers alike.  (This year it was interesting that my table was entirely women, save for one brave male…)

Want to experience Live Beer Blogging vicariously (albeit second-hand?)  Using newly released Facebook Live (with apologies to professional videographers) – I present to you, the #BBC16 Live Beer Blogging experience:

• First up:  Local Brewery St Pete Brewing with Casey Cothran introducing The McCracken (a Scottish Ale named in honor of head brewer Jon McCracken)

• Next up is Safety Harbor’s Crooked Thumb Brewery (on the NW side of Tampa Bay) with owner Travis Kruger pouring their Florida Gose. (Apologies for my random cameos. I’ve since learned that the zoom button is different from the “swap camera” button!)

• Local favorite, Cigar City Brewing brought limited edition bottles of Decoherence, which was released solely as part of the (private club) Catador series.

• This was followed by California (and North Carolina) brewery, Sierra Nevada, featuring their new  Otra Voz, a Gose Style Ale brewed with Grapefruit and Cactus.

• Sarasota brewery J Dubs made a splash entry by having brewery owner Jeremy (the J in J Dubs) in a bovine costume pouring his Bell Cow Milk Chocolate Porter.

• New Belgium Brewing of Colorado (and North Carolina) poured samples of their Citradelic IPA.

• Cape Canaveral located Florida Beer Company featured representative Seth Kapp pouring their Florida Lager (sidenote: notice how crowded the table is started to get?)

• Up next was California based Lagunitas Brewing Company whose principals brought with them their signature brew, Lagunitas IPA.

• Miami based Saltwater Brewing (who gained recent global attention with their biodegradable six-pack can holders) was up next with their Screaming Reels IPA.

Rounding out the 10 featured breweries was Georgia based Terrapin Brewing whose representative poured their refreshing Watermelon Ale.   On request of the representative, I have not included the video in this post.  Nonetheless, the beer was refreshing and tasty on the hot summer day!

That’s it for 2016 – and with the 2017 conference in Milwaukee, WI, I’m looking forward to another great adventure in Live Beer Blogging.  Whew… 10 brewing samples in less than an hour!  A feverish pace, lots of tasting (and discarding!) but thankfully, I’m blessed to be one of the someone’s who simply… has to do it.

Slainte!

Carol

 

Tampa area Breweries Get Ready – The Beer Bloggers and Writers Conference is only 3 weeks away!

Ever since I attended my 1st (and the first) Beer Bloggers Conference in 2010 in Boulder, CO, I’ve wondered if the event would ever grace the tropical shores of Tampa Bay, and this year (the 7th annual event) – the Beer Bloggers and Writers Conference does just that July 8-10, 2016 at the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Tampa.

Our Tampa Bay region joins many in the nation where craft beer (and cider and distilling) has exploded exponentially since 2010. The result is a $20+ billion dollar national industry that refuses to slow down.

In Mar 2011, the website BeerandWhiskeyBros.com wrote: 

2016: Are craft beverages a “bubble”?

With over 15 states in the U.S. boasting over 100 functioning craft breweries (including Florida!), an exponential growth rate of breweries opening (see the curve above) and an emerging millennial (Generation Y) population of over 66 million residents whose preference is craft beer, it’s safe to say that it’s a bubble that’s here to stay.

U.S. Innovation Leads the World in Craft Brewing

For over 20 year I’ve spoken on software engineering, leadership and project management topics worldwide — and watched the U.S. move from a position of dominance to one of survivability as the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies beat us with their low labor costs in software development.  The innovation and imagination in IT (Information Technology) that once led us to a number one position, fell away when cost-cutting and outsourcing became the norm.

It’s that same sense of innovation, adventure and imagination that propelled U.S. craft brewing to the top of the world game.  Using techniques and styles reminiscent of old European recipes (German and Belgian styles in particular,) the leading U.S., craft brewers add imagination and stretch the boundaries of what once was a mass-produced, close-to-purified-water industry.  We’re at the point today where the craft brewing world looks to the U.S. for new ingredients, styles and collaborations.  In the U.S., Craft Breweries are defined by the Brewers Association as being small, independent and traditional.

Craft Beer Gives Bloggers and Writers Tons of Content

The gathering of Beer Bloggers and Writers boasts a range of writers and writing styles:  from professional reporters for big name newspapers and journals, to mom-and-pop blogs for independent beer stores, to blogs for distributors/wholesalers, to people like me with a passion for people and the industry.

As the numbers of us continue to expand, so too are the angles that craft beer provides to write about:  Reviewing beers, reviewing styles, covering festival events and bottle releases, stories about breweries and brewers,  pairing of food and beer, innovations in brewing, legislation in brewing, the 3 tier system, differences across the nation with beer culture, recipes, trends, techniques, homebrew, challenges in brewing, beer culture, products from related industries (glassware to growlers to homebrew systems to dispensers…) – the list goes on and on.

The craft beer industry is still expanding as new jobs are created, new breweries are opened, and new opportunities abound to educate consumers, entertain (through events and beerfests), and satisfy (through the variety of products and even beer-tourism) the burgeoning population of craft beer lovers.

And You’re Invited to Tag Along…

While many of the sessions and excursions at the Beer Bloggers and Writers Conference are limited to officially registered beer bloggers and writers, you’ll likely see a few events where the general craft beer loving public can take part.  One such pre-conference gathering is on Wed July 6, 2016 at 6;30 pm at the Brew Bus Brewing Terminal on Florida Avenue in Tampa where our own Florida Women in Brewing, together with Beer Bloggers, (and you!) are invited to stop by and mix and mingle over a pint.  Brew Bus Brewing is one of our newest local craft breweries and the terminal for one of our most popular and successful beer tourism companies, and has even won a medal at GABF for one of their brews!

Craft beer in Florida (and throughout the U.S.) presents a genderless, ageless, and culturally independent reason to get together, enjoy a few laughs and savor the goodness that barley, hops, yeast and water can bring to an ordinary workday or weekend.  And, in a matter of days, the Beer Blogging and Writing community will find out just how good that can be here in Tampa.  Welcome!

Slainte!

Carol

 

A typical Beery Saturday in Tampa Bay… May 14, 2016

It’s an epic time to be a Floridian with a burgeoning craft beer scene and lots of events going on every weekend.  In fact, it’s been stated that on some weekends, there’s simply TOO MUCH going on, making it hard to choose where to go.

Today is no exception – there are three notable events happening and I’d love to be able to attend all three. Two are charity events and one is an out-of-state brewery event:

1. Barns and Beer Craft Beer Festival – Old McMickey’s Farm, Odessa (just north of Tampa)

**** TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ****

This is the second craft beer event for the farm (a 501c3 charity) to raise money for their charitable programs including military weddings, children’s camps, and a host of other worthwhile endeavors for the community.

In addition to unlimited tastings, entertainment will be provided by the Black Honkeys (a celebrated local band!) and there will be mechanical bull rides, egg races and more.  Professional brews from around Florida are the focus of the tastings.

I still need a few more VolunBEERs (you get in free in exchange for working 1/2 the festival to pour beer, work the gate, etc.) – here’s the link if you’d like to sign up:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084da5af2caafa7-barns

Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barns-beer-may-2016-tickets-22499606930

2. St Pete Beach Beer Festival

This is the second charity beer fest this weekend – this one focuses on homebrewers and their wares plus local breweries in the bay area.  A growing community festival worth checking out if you’re close to the beach.

Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-pete-beach-beer-festival-tickets-24607898888

3. Blue Point Toasted Tour

Blue Point Brewing is bringing their Toasted Tour (based on their flagship brew: Toasted Lager) and will feature entertainment and beer in downtown Tampa at Waterworks Park.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1154253177946609/ 

General admission – No charge to get in, Blue Point beer available for $5.  – VIP Tickets available (includes beer.) but I couldn’t find a link to the ticketing site.

Enjoy your weekend responsibly!  I hope to see you out and about enjoying the best brews Tampa (and beyond) has to offer.

SLAINTE!