Monday, June 3, 2013

Where Can You Find Funky Buddha Beers?

The grand opening at Funky Buddha Brewery this week was a sight to be seen. With about 3000 people and going through at least 80 kegs you know South Florida is ready for its own craft beer brewery. 

If you weren't lucky enough to make it out to the grand opening don't worry because draft will start making its way out into local bars and restaurants starting this week.  Funky Buddha didn't want to over extend themselves so to start they will only be in a few locations around South Florida and we are lucky enough to be able to provide you with this list. 

Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
Bash
JG McGuinness
World Of Beer Coconut Creek
Kapow
Dubliner
Lion and Eagle
Biergarden
Brickyard
Tap 42
Laser Wolf
Fat Cats
Riverside Market
Lokal
OTC
World Of Beer Midtown
World Of Beer Dadeland
World Of Beer Kendall

Funky Buddha will only be starting with their two year round beers Hop Gun IPA and Floridian Hefeweizen. Some of the locations above will have both beers on tap and others only one.  

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

UPDATE: Founders Is Coming To Florida In July

Founders Brewing out of Grand Rapids, MI will finally be hitting Florida mid-May July.  You can expect all of their core brands and seasonals in draft and bottles.  If you are unfamiliar with Founders here is a little info from their website.

"We at Founders Brewing Company have been lucky to evolve into one of the highest recognized breweries in the United States. Since 2011, Ratebeer.com has ranked us as the 2nd best brewery in the world (we were 4th best in 2010), and we have several beers listed in the top one hundred beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. We were the winner of four medals at the 2010 World Beer Cup, two medals at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival, and one medal at the 2012 World Beer Cup."

Monday, May 13, 2013

American Craft Beer Week 2013 Events


The biggest week in American Craft Beer is upon us.  Tons of events going on this week.  Make sure to come out and show your love for great beer.  


Week Long Specials & Events:

05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - Palm Beach County  

05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - Broward 

05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - Miami-Dade 

05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - South Miami
  
05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - Davie

05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - Coconut Grove

05-13-2013 to 05-19-2013 - Miami 

05-13-2013 to 05-18-2013 - South Florida Total Wine
  
Monday, May 13:

05-13-2013 8:30pm - Miami Beach

05-13-2013 4:00 PM - North Miami

05-13-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale 

05-13-2013 6:00 PM - Hollywood

05-13-2013 6:00 PM - Lauderhill

05-13-2013 6:30 PM - Surfside

05-13-2013 7:00 PM - Key West

05-13-2013 7:00 PM - Miami Beach

05-13-2013 8:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-13-2013 8:00 PM - Coconut Creek

Tuesday, May 14:

05-14-2013 4:00 PM - Doral 

05-14-2013 4:00 PM - Pembroke Pines

05-14-2013 5:00 PM - Miami

05-14-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-14-2013 5:00 PM - Coconut Creek

05-14-2013 6:00 PM - Fort Pierce

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale 

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - Hollywood

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - Davie

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - Pembroke Pines

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - West Palm Beach

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - Miami

05-14-2013 7:00 PM - Coral Gables

Wednesday, May 15:

05-15-2013 5:00 PM - Estero
  
05-15-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale 

05-15-2013 5:00 PM - Coconut Creek

05-15-2013 6:30 PM - West Palm Beach

05-15-2013 7:00 PM - Miami Beach

05-15-2013 7:00 PM - Weston

05-15-2013 7:00 PM - West Palm Beach

05-15-2013 6:00 PM - Lake Worth 

Thursday, May 16:

05-16-2013 4:00 PM - Davie 

05-16-2013 5:00 PM - Royal Palm Beach 

05-16-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale 

05-16-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-16-2013 5:00 PM - Boca Raton 

05-16-2013 6:00 PM - All South Florida World of Beers

05-16-2013 6:30 PM - Plantation 

05-16-2013 6:30 PM - Lake Worth

05-16-2013 7:00 PM - Miami

05-16-2013 7:00 PM - Sunrise

05-16-2013 7:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-16-2013 7:00 PM - West Palm Beach

05-16-2013 8:00 PM - Miami 

05-16-2013 8:00 PM - Vero Beach

Friday, May 17:

05-17-2013 11:30 AM - West Palm Beach

05-17-2013 5:00 PM - Miami

05-17-2013 5:00 PM - Coconut Creek

05-17-2013 5:00 PM - Coral Springs 

05-17-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-17-2013 5:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-17-2013 6:00 PM - Boca Raton

05-17-2013 6:00 PM - Hollywood 

05-17-2013 6:00 PM - Jupiter

05-17-2013 6:00 PM - Jensen Beach

05-17-2013 7:00 PM - Key West 

05-17-2013 7:00 PM - Delray Beach 

Saturday, May 18:

05-18-2013 10:00 AM - Jupiter

05-18-2013 11:00 AM - Coconut Creek

05-18-2013 12:00 PM - Stuart

05-18-2013 6:00 PM - Delray

05-18-2013 7:00 PM - Fort Lauderdale

05-18-2013 7:00 PM - Hollywood

05-18-2013 10:00 PM - Delray Beach 

Sunday, May 19:

05-19-2013 12:00 PM - Boca Raton

Friday, May 3, 2013

World Of Beer Midtown To Open Monday


World Of Beer in Midtown will have its grand opening this Monday, May 6th at 3pm. I have seen the tap lineup for this first week and it is pretty unbelievable. See below for all of the info.

"Join us for our Grand Opening!

Expect a killer draft lineup, live music, and an awesome party to kick off the opening of the 41st World of Beer.

May 6: Raffles benefiting the non-profit C.O.P.S. (Care for Police Survivors) will be going on from open to close.

Prizes include a Magic Hat bike & speaker system, a Radeberger bike, a Brooklyn longboard, a RedHook 2 person tent, gift cards from our partnering restaurants, and a multitude of craft beer schwag! TShirts, bottle openers, flags, pub lights, hats, beer buckets, and more.

Our friends / owners / brewmasters from Wynwood Brewing Co. will be joining us and pouring a selection of their brews. Their official opening is right around the corner and we are pumped to be partnering with them for our Grand Opening.

All raffle tickets are $1 - CASH ONLY!

May 9: Meet the Craft Brewjas & Most Wanted Brewery - the 2 will be pouring their collaboration brews starting at 7PM. Come try some delicious Black IPAs.

May 10: FIRKIN FRIDAY w/ Tequesta Brewing Co.
Our kickoff for Firkin Fridays will feature a one time, one night only brew from Florida's own Tequesta Brewing Co.

Are you ready for a..... Dry Hopped, Oak Aged Gnarly Barley CASK!? We only have one night to kill 10.8 gallons of beer! So get here. Event kicks off at 6PM.

We can't wait to meet you! Always remember to drink local and to make it a craft beer."

3252 NE 1st Avenue, 
Suite 112, 
Miami, Florida 33127

Monday, February 25, 2013

Abraxas Hosts Dogfish Head Tap Takeover

This Thursday, February 28th, Abraxas will once again be hosting one of it's famous tap takeovers.  This time Dogfish Head will be the featured brewery with the debut of their newest collaboration with Sierra Nevada, Rhizing Bines.  One of only a few kegs in South Florida you don't want to miss out on trying this great beer.  If that wasn't enough for you how about some Palo Santo, World Wide Stout, Bitches Brew and just for good measure a little 2011 AND 2012 Olde School, all on draft.


Thursday, February 28th 8pm
Abraxas
407 Meridian Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Abbey Brewing Company 1 Year Expansion Anniversary

Miami's oldest peddler of craft beer, The Abbey Brewing Company, is celebrating the one year anniversary of it's expansion this Sunday, February 17th from 1pm-5am.  To celebrate this special occasion, they will have an open bar from 1PM-2PM, (Select Draft Beers & Liquor), and 10 Craft Beer Taps to choose from, for $5 each, all day long! They will also have $5 shot & Mixed Drink Specials, for the non beer drinkers, and complimentary pub grub.  You do not want to miss your chance to try the great selection at such a low price.

Sunday, February 17th 1:00pm-5:00am
The Abbey Brewing Company
1115 16TH Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Friday, January 18, 2013

South Florida Beer Week


One of the biggest beer weeks of the year is upon us once again, South Florida Beer Week. This is the week that focuses on local breweries from Florida.  Some of the breweries aren't even available in South Florida yet but they've sent some kegs down just for this week.  If you want to see what other great beers are being made in Florida head on out to at least one of these events.  Check out the calendar for all the events and below for some other events.

 Saturday January 19th - Tap 42 7-9 pm. Florida Beer Company  Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle IPA.
Monday January 21st - Total Wine Pembroke Pines 630 - 830 pm. Meet the Locals featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle IPA.
Monday January 21st - Total Wine Pinecrest 6-7 pm. Sample our Local Craft beers along with some fine food in the training classroom.
Monday January 21st - Krawl off Duval 6-9 pm. Florida Beer Company Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle IPA.
Tuesday January 22nd - World of Beer Kendall 6-9 pm. Florida Beer Company Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle IPA.
Tuesday January 22nd - World of Beer Coconut Creek 7-9 pm. Florida Beer Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle.
Tuesday January 18th - Total Wine Plantation 630-830 pm. Florida Beer Company Meet the Locals.
Wednesday January 23rd - World of Beer Kendall 6-9 pm. Miami Brewing Company 6-9 pm. Meet the owner night.
Wednesday January 23 - World of Beer Kendall 6-9 pm. Anchor Brewery tap Takeover.
Wednesday January 23rd - American Social Ft Lauderdale 8-10 pm. Florida Beer Company Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle IPA.
Thursday January 24th - World of Beer Dadeland 6-9 pm. Florida Beer Company Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle IPA.
Thursday January 24th - World of Beer Wellington 6-9 pm, Florida Beer Company Tap Takeover featuring Gaspar's Porter and Devil's Triangle.
Thursday January 24th - Sports Grill North Miami Beach 8-10 pm. Brooklyn Brewery Tap Takeover.
Friday January 25th - Tabica Grill Jupiter. Florida Beer Company Beer Dinner.
Menu:
1st Course - Black Bistro Mussels in BBQ Butter paired with Key West Southernmost Wheat
2nd Course - Tuna Croquettte Roasted Tomato Relish paired with Key West Sunset Ale
3rd Course - Grilled Organic Airline Chicken Breast with Yucca Fries and Chimichurry paired with Florida Lager
4th Course - Passion Fruit Tres Leches Cake paired with Swamp Ape IPA
Saturday/Sunday January 26th/27th - Fairchild Tropical Gardens Chocolate Festival 11am - 430pm. Join Phil for a Beer Garden Sampling with some perfect chocolate pairings.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Miami Beer Festival





The inaugural Miami Beer Festival will take place at the West Plaza of Marlins Park on Jan 19th, from 6pm to 10pm.  Tickets are $40 for general admission and $50 for VIP, which will give you an extra hour of drinking.

Participating Florida brewers and home brewers include:  Miami Brewing Company, Florida Beer Company, Gravity Brew, Titanic Brewing, Wynwood Brewing, Fourth Age, Misfit, Opus Ales, Cervetech Brewing, Subvert Ales, Most Wanted Brewery, Wakefield Brewing, Sailfish Brewing, Moron Brothers, Due South, Holy Mackerel, Cigar City, Florida Ave, Native Brewing, and Inlet Brewing.  The collection of Florida based breweries and home brewer makes the inaugural Miami Beer Fest the largest collection of participating local breweries.  In addition, the event will also include Abita, Anchor, Sam Adams, Yuengling, Bells, Brooklyn, Harpooon, Magners, Sierra Nevada, Crispin, Blue Moon, Blue Point, Cisco, Shipyard, Highland, Lagunitas, Eurobrews, Anderson Valley, Global Imports, Hebrew Beer, Lost Coast, Kona, Red Hook, Widmer, Shock Top, Capital, Green Flash, Goose Island, and Estrella.

Admission will include unlimited beer samplings, with food sold separately. Food trucks will be on hand featuring a broad range of beer friendly food:   Latin Burger, Che Grill, Monty's Grill, Top Fried, and AZ Canteen (Andrew Zimmern's truck from the Travel Channel)

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.miamibeerfestival.com

Or you can check out these discounted tickets via Travel Zoo that gets you general admission tickets for only $25.  Click here

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Craft Beer And Art Basel

Most fans of craft beer already know what a work of art these fine brews are.  Now the art community at large is embracing craft beer at a level that I have never seen before.  Not only are you seeing craft beer in the Wynwood/Design District taking over most bars in the area but you are also seeing some not so normal places popping up to grab a brew while you check out some art at the art fairs going around town all week.

Basel Biergarten
Wynwood Cigar Factory, 101 NW 24th St
Thursday-Sunday 2-11pm
“The Factory” at Wynwood Cigar Factory will be hosting the 1st Annual Basel Biergarten opening Thursday Dec. 6 at 2pm through Sunday Dec. 9th. Chef Andres Barrientos and Chef James Bowers of Aaron's Catering joined forces with the Mixed Media Collective and event guru Gaudi Castro to develop a new annual Basel week tradition for local foodies. The pop-up Biergarten will be serving up top craft beers from Florida breweries. In conjunction with the Drink Like a Local Campaign, beers by Cigar City, Monk in the Trunk, Michael's Genuine, Native, Tequesta and Due South will be available on tap. Barrientos and Bowers are simultaneously launching Miami Smokers, a charcuterie house featuring candied bacon and other delicious artisan smoked meats. The Chefs’ are partnering with local food trucks to create the perfect pairings and.high-end beer-friendly bites. Benches and assorted stylish seating areas surrounded by potted palms and local Florida shrubs will create a lush, hip environment accompanied by DJ’s featured daily.  You will be able to find limited brews like Cigar City's Jose Marti and Table Saison, St. Somewhere's Serge and Divina W/ Rosemary, and Due South's Southern Saison popping on the rotating taps through out the weekend.
Wood Tavern Pop Up Bar @ Untitled
Untitled Art Fair, 12th and Ocean
Tuesday-Sunday 11am-9pm
Everyone's favorite bar in Wynwood will be taking it's talents to the beach.  The pop up bar inside the Untitled Art Fair will have beers from Palm and Blue Point on the menu.  Grab yourself a Toasted Lager and try to figure out how they grew grass on a carpet.

Michael's Genuine Pop Up Cafe @ Design Miami
Design Miami, Meridian Ave and 19th St.
Wednesday, December 5, 11am-9pm
Thursday, December 6 - Saturday, December, 9,12-8pm
Sunday, December 9, 12-6pm

Not only can you find good beer at Design Miami but you can also get some of the amazing food that Michael's Genuine's Pop Up Cafe with be providing.  Check out some melting lamps while you sip on the thirst quenching Michael's Genuine Home Brew.

Fountain Art Fair, 2505 N Miami Ave
Thursday, December 6 12 – 5pm: VIP/Press Preview
Friday, December 7 12 – 7pm: Open to the public 
7pm – Midnight: Opening Night Reception
Saturday, December 8 12 – 7pm: Open to the public
7pm – midnight: Miami New Times event
Sunday, December 9 12 – 5pm: Open to the public
Not sure if it's in the VIP Lounge or available to all but Fountain will have beers from Native, Monk In The Trunk, and Holy Mackerel flowing this week as well.

Have a safe and fun Art Basel and don't forget to actually look at some art while you are out partying.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Westvleteren 12 Release December 12th

The day has finally come.  After talk for the last year of Westvleteren 12 (the #1 rated beer in the world)  coming to the US the date has finally been announced.  December 12th you can set out to your local Total Wine and pick up this lovely gift pack of 6 beers and 2 glasses for the low, low price of only $85.  Although this isn't a cheap package it is cheaper then a flight to Belgium.  This is Total Wine exclusive release.  They are not reserving any and you will only be able to purchase one per person.  So set your alarm, grab your folding chair, and get ready to wait in line to buy this one time only release (at least that is what they are saying).  See you there!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Biscayne Brewers Expo

You've seen them at most of the beer festivals in Miami, as well as at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and they have had some of the most interesting beers there, but this time they are putting on a festival themselves.  Brew FIU will be hosting the Biscayne Brewers Festival this Sunday, November 4th from 12-4pm at the Kovens Confrence Center at the North FIU campus.  With over 40 different local brewers it will give you a big taste of how far local beer has come recently.  Tickets are only $20 if you are an FIU Student or a party of 5, $25 for everyone else in advance.  Get your tickets now by clicking here.

Sunday, November 4th 12:00-4:00pm
Biscayne Brewers Expo
Koven Conference Center at FIU
3000 NE 151st St
North Miami, FL
(305)310-6825

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Bloomberg Business: Plot To Destroy America's Beer Article

Have you ever read an article that you thought was so important that you just wanted to share it with everyone.  Bloomberg Businessweek has done just that.  I know most people see these big beer companies and know they are these huge companies that are more interested in making profit then good beer but you may not know the extent that they go to to make that money.  This article shows you the lengths that they will go to cut the flavor and cost to produce the beer while raising prices and making a huge impact on people connected to these companies all over the world.  I do realize that these companies have an obligation to there shareholders to make money but those shareholder should also know what that is costing in the long run.  Hope you find this article as insightful as I did.

click here to read:
Bloomberg Businessweek: The Plot To Destroy America's Beer

Friday, October 19, 2012

The Abbey Octoberfest

This Sunday come on out for one of the last Oktoberfest celebrations of the season.  The Abbey will be having $5 drafts all day as well as some food to snack on while you put down some tasty Oktoberfest beers.  The party starts at 1pm and goes until 1am.

Sunday, October 21st 1pm-1am
The Abbey Brewing Company
1115 16th St
Miami Beach, FL

Thursday, October 18, 2012

SOBEWFF Event: BEER TASTING WITH SPIEGELAU: DOES THE GLASS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

It looks like beer is finally getting some notice by the good people at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival this year.  Even though the sponsorship by Amstel seems to keep out any craft beers from being a part of the festival it does still use the talented students from FIU's brewing program to bring some interesting beers to the party.

This year is the first year that an event focusing exclusively on beer has been held at the festival and it is very exciting to see that beer is getting noticed by such a big festival.  The Beer Tasting With Spiegel: Does The Glass Make A Difference? event will focus on how the glass can change the way you perceive a beer to taste.  It is taking place February 22nd, 2013 for 5:30-6:45pm at the James Rotal Palm Hotel.  Here is what SOBEWFF has to say about the event:

"If you’ve ever wondered if the glass makes a difference, here is your chance to find out! Matt Rutkowski, VP of Spiegelau sales, will lead a glass tasting featuring Spiegelau’s beer connoisseur set. You will taste and compare four different beer styles in different Spiegelau beer glass shapes. At the end of the tasting, the glasses are yours to keep.

Whether sharing a few pints with friends or on an endless pursuit to find the most exceptional ale, Spiegelau beer glasses are the essential vessels to make each brew taste even better. As more and more people are finding the fun in exploring the nuances of various types of beers, the craft beer industry is enjoying a growing cachet and distinction similar to fine wines. And like wine, beer tastes better when in the right glass. This set of four glasses includes the stemmed tulip, the tall pilsner, the wheat beer glass, and the lager glass. With shapes designed to showcase varying flavors of the grains, yeast and hops, channel the aroma and preserve the frothy head and volatiles, this kit is ideal for the serious beer drinker or the budding aficionado. Spiegelau’s Beer Connoisseur Kit glasses are made of durable crystalline and are dishwasher safe.

Spiegelau traces its glass-making roots back to 1521 in Spiegelau, Germany, tucked in the primeval forest of Bavaria. For almost 500 years, Spiegelau has created glassware known for its sleek design, durability and strength. Today, Spiegelau beer glasses represent German craftsmanship at its best.

The BREW FIU brewing club composed of current and former students from Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management will brew all of the beer served at this seminar. Funds raised from previous Festivals have gone toward the construction of a state-of-the-art teaching restaurant at the school, which will feature an on-site brewing science laboratory."

The tickets will run you $85 and you can buy them by clicking here.

Friday, February 22nd, 2013 5:30-6:45pm
James Royal Palms Hotel
1545 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL