Stone Brewing Weekend

Are you ready for another great brewery weekend at Abraxas?  Like all the other brewery weekends that have been held at Abraxas you know you are going to get something special.  For starters you'll be able to get the very rare Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA on tap.  This is the one of only two kegs of this beer to come to South Florida.  And of course Diego, owner of Abraxas, couldn't leave it with just that, so he will also have a limited amount of Stone Double Bastard on tap as well.  Throw in specials on every bottle Stone has and this is one hell of an event.  Oh and you'll also have the new Stone Brewing Rep Bethany there to talk to you about the beers and possibly have some more special treats.  I hope to see you there.


Stone Brewing Weekend Specials:
14th Ann. Empirial IPA (draft) - $8
14th Ann. Empirial IPA (22 oz) - $13
Double Bastard Ale (draft) - $7
...Double Bastard Ale (22 oz) - $12
Old Guardian 2010 (22 oz) - $13
Arrogant Bastard (22 oz) - $8
Oaked Arrogant Bastard - $7
Cali-Belgique IPA (22 oz) - $12
Sublimely Self Righteous (22 oz) - $12
Smoked Porter (22 oz) - $9
Russian Imperial Stout (22 oz) - $12
Ruination IPA (22 oz) - $10
IPA - $5
Levitation Ale - $5

July 30th-August 1st
Abraxas
407 Meridian Ave
Miami Beach, FL
305-534-9005

Racks Hosts Victory Beer Dinner

Racks in Boca Raton is hosting an amazing five course Victory Brewing beer dinner this coming Tuesday, August 3rd, from 8-10pm.  For only $35 you won't want to miss this.

Menu
First Course: Seared Tuna Sliders w/ Peanut Cilantro Slaw and Seasame Aioli
Beer: Victory Sunrise Weisse

Second Course: Arugula w/ Florida Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Pickled Red Onion and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Beer: Victory Prima Pils

Third Course: Seared Salmon w/ Nueske Smoked Bacon, Whitewater Clam Vinaigrette and Crushed Potatoes
Beer: Victory Hop Devil

Fourth Course: Fried Chicken & Waffles w/ Spicy Maple Syrup and Macadamia Nut Butter
Beer: Victory Storm King

Fifth Course: Cookies and Milk
Beer: Victory Storm King

Call for reservations.

August 3rd 8-10pm
Racks
402 Plaza Real
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561)750-3500

Review: Rogue's Juniper Pale Ale

It has been a while since I have had a Rogue Juniper Pale Ale and every time I do I wonder why I don't drink this beer more often.  Just like the first time I had this beer, a few years ago at a beer festival, it is a beer that has once again surprised me by how good it is.

This was the first time I've had the Juniper Pale Ale in the 12oz bottle since they've stopped making the 22oz bottles.  This pours a nice golden brown with not much of a head.  The aroma lacks in the hop aroma you would find from most American pale ales and has a malty scent with some slight citrus coming through.  The lack of bitter hops in the nose carries over into the taste, making this a very smooth drink with only a bit of lingering hop in the finish.  The malt comes though with a nice sweetness without making it overwhelmingly sweet at all. The lightness in the mouthfeel and the dryness in the finish makes this a very sessionable beer, and clocking in at only 5.3% ABV this won't knock you on your butt too quickly either.

Next time I head to the store I need to remember to pick more of this up and make this my new "everyday beer".  If you are looking for something to enjoy with a great taste that isn't overwhelming I suggest you check out Rogue's Juniper Pale Ale for yourself.

Review: Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock

I've been waiting to try this beer for a while.  I had heard good things about it but for some reason Gold Coast never brought it down to this area for me to try.  When I went over to Ft. Myers last weekend I was happy to find that the Total Wine there had it.

I cracked open the bottle and poured it into a nice tall pilsner glass.  The appearance is what you would expect from a doppelbock nice mahogany brown.  The head was slight off white color that dissipated quickly.  The aroma is very sweet with a dark fruity character to it. The taste was much of the same.  Sweet but not overly sweet with a good bit of fruitiness to it.  I was even picking up hints of apple in the finish of it.  The mouthfeel wasn't as heavy and sticky as some doppelbock which was something that made this a much easier longer drinking beer then others of the same style.  Another thing that amazed me about this beer is with an ABV of 8% the alcohol taste was nowhere to be found.  A dangerous thing for a beer this smooth.

If you are looking for a good malty beer Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock is a beer that you should search out.

Dogfish Head's My Antonia Hits South Florida

Another great specialty beer will be hitting South Florida this week, Dogfish Head's My Antonia.   Like Dogfish Head's Squall this will be sold exclusively at Total Wine in South Florida.  You can expect to start seeing the 750ml bottle on shelves as soon as tomorrow.  Take a look at what the brewery has to say about the beer and a short video.

"My Antonia started out as a Collaboration beer when Sam brewed it at Birra del Borgo (hope you can read Italian) outside Rome, Italy with owner/brewer Leonardo DiVencenzo in October of 2008. In 2010, we began brewing My Antonia here at Dogfish Head brewery in Delaware for U.S. distribution.

My Antonia (named after the Willa Cather read), is a continually-hopped imperial pilsner.

This original 2008 batch was brewed and distributed by Birra del Borgo. A small quantity was sent over to the United States. The 2010 release will go to limited markets here in the U.S.. It should start hitting the shelves by mid-late June."

Winners of Internet Scavenger Hunt

Congratulations to the winners of our Internet Scavenger Hunt.

Jamie Frankel
Hector Miranda
Kristen Webber

You'll each be receiving a Hopside Down Mug from True Fabrications.

Internet Scavenger Hunt

The good people over at the online barware webstore, True Fabrications, recently reached out and wanted to offer up some of their Hopside Down Beer Mugs (see above) for me to giveaway on the site.  I decided instead of just having the first three people to write to me get the mugs that I would make it a little bit more interesting and also give you a chance to check out some other sites in the process. So what we are going to do is have a little online scavenger hunt.  Below I have listed ten questions about my blog and other sites that I enjoy reading and the first three people to send me the correct answers will win a Hopside Down Beer Mug from True Fabrications.  Hopefully this will be something fun and also turn you on to some other great sites in the process.  Good luck.

1. Name a beer that Lebron James will NOT be able to get in Miami that he was able to get in Cleveland.
2. Who won Burger Beast's Burgie Awards for Best Burger?
3. What Pike Brewery beer did Dos Beerigos give the highest rating to?
4. What is Mikelovesbeer's hometown?
5. When did I start the blog?
6. What was my "craft beer epiphany"(as told to The Beer Wench)?
7. What is the only FL pizza place on Worst Pizza's Top 8 pizza places?
8. What is the only beer from Morocco served at The DRB?
9. What Tuesday night event did Abraxas win a New Time's Best Of Award for this year?
10. What were were the four nominees for South Florida Daily Blog's Post of the Month for June?

You can send your answers to dave@southfloridabeerblog.com. 

The Abbey Closes...

....for two months.  The Abbey, South Beach's original beer bar, closed its doors this past Wednesday for some much needed upkeep.  The bar will not lose any of its built-in charm, it's just getting some updated electrical work done.  They promise to be back at the beginning of September with a big party to get fall kicked off right.  Be sure to check back for info about the grand reopening.

Sam Adam's Beer Lover's Choice

Have you ever wondered how Samuel Adams seems to come up with so many different flavors of beer?  Well you can find out by showing up to McSorley's Beach Pub in  Ft. Lauderdale next Tuesday, July 20th from 6:00pm-9:30pm.  You will have the chance to sample and vote on two possible new beers that will be added to Sam Adam's product line.  Sample A is a Belgian Style IPA.  Sample B is an American Rye Ale.  Both sound interesting.  Along with samples of these two beers you'll also get to try the Sam Adam's Lager and Summer.  The event is free, so be sure to get there early.  Be the first to try these new beers before anyone else and have a say in what you will see in stores in the future.


July 20th, 6:00pm-9:30pm
McSorley's Beach Pub
837 N Ft Lauderdale Beach Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 565-4446

Beers for Lebron James

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last week you have heard that Lebron James is going to be coming to Miami to play for the Heat.  Since he will be moving from Cleveland I was thinking of ways to make the transition easier for him so, I put together a list of the beers that he was able to get in Cleveland that he will still be able to get in Miami.  He isn't going to be missing out on much and will actually gain a few new brands to try.  Here is the list for you, Lebron.  Welcome to the neighborhood.

Stone
Dogfish Head
Magic Hat
Scaldis
Dupont
Brooklyn
Anderson Valley
Great Divide
Leinenkugel
Lost Coast
North Coast
Ommegang
The Bruery
Eel River
He'Brew
Mendocino
Left Hand
Boulder
Sea Dog
Shipyard
Heavy Seas
Jolly Pumpkin
Quilmes
Coopers
Stiegl
Achel
Cantillion
Delirium
Gouden Carolus
La Chouffe
St. Louis
Urthel
Unibroue
Meantime
Old Speckled Hen
Ridgeway
Aecht Schlenkerla
Julius Echter
Reissdorf
Schneider
Tucher
Weihenstephaner
Hitachino
Baltika
Nogne-O
Gordon Biersch
Harpoon
Sierra Nevada
Brooklyn
Bitburger
Chimay
Paulaner
Rogue
Sapporo
Victory

and of course all the big macro beers.

And Lebron if you need help with finding a good beer bar just let me know.

Magic Hat Totally 80's Party Weekend

This weekend the good people of Magic Hat will be throwing a couple 80's themed parties around South Florida.

Friday night will see Magic Hat rep Lauren Cifizzari throwing it down at The Lodge in Boca Raton.  They will have $4 pint specials and $12 Pitchers and when you spend $9 or more you get a free pair of Magic Hat 80's sunglasses.  They will also be throwing an 80's costume contest.  Best costume will win a Magic Hat prize pack as well as a growler of Magic Hat #9 from The Lodge.

Saturday night Lauren will take the 80's dance party to Barracuda's in Coconut Grove.  Join her there with $3.50 pints and $12 pitchers of #9 starting at 10pm.  Again show up wearing you best 80's outfit and you could win a great prize pack from Magic Hat.

DJ Ellis Dee will be spinning the best 80's hits both nights.

Friday, July 9th 8:00pm-11:00pm
The Lodge
200 S. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL

Saturday, July 10th 10:00pm-3:00am
Barracuda
3035 Fuller St.
Coconut Grove, FL

Shipyard Brewing Announces Brewing Vacation

Have you ever wanted to go a play baseball with your old heroes or go play in a jamband with some old rockstars?  No?  Well, me either.  Shipyard though has come up with something for those of us whose passion is beer.  Shipyard is offering a Maine Brewing Vacation.  The vacation offers you the chance to actually brew a beer at Shipyard's brewpub in Kennebunk and get a behind the scenes tour of the full Shipyard brewery in Portland.  Here is the full itinerary and pricing.

AVAILABILITY
January through May
(Tues-Thurs or Wed-Fri)
Must be booked a minimum of
2 weeks in advance.
 
COST
$800 for double
$600 for single
$300 for single
not including lodging

THIS ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• Two nights lodging at the King’s Port Inn in Kennebunk • Special welcome reception and dinner
the night of arrival • Two lunches • The chance to brew with award-winning professionals
• A behind the scenes tour of Shipyard Brewing Company

SCHEDULE
Day 1: Arrive in Kennebunk for a special reception and dinner at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub that evening 
Day 2: 7:00am – 3:30pm Brew at Kennebunkport Brewing Company (Lunch will be served at Federal Jack’s. Guests are free to enjoy exploring the area that evening.)
Day 3: 10:30am Behind the scenes tour of the Shipyard Brewing Company followed by lunch at the Sea Dog Brewing Company in South Portland

To Book Call 1-800-BREW-ALE

Holy Mackerel Launches Panic Attack

Holy Mackerel will be throwing a launch party for their new beer Panic Attack this Saturday, July 3rd,  at Stage 84 in Davie. (ed. Also holding a second release party Monday, July 5th, from 7-9pm at Hurricane Grill & Wings in Plantation)  Here is the description from brewer Bob Gordash about the beer,

"Panic Attack is a Belgian - Style 10% Amber Ale with a subtle touch of spice. With a nod to my Canadian heritage this is a beer made with Canadian Malted Barley , Goldings Hops , and of course a Belgian yeast strain. We are using Honey Malt which gives the beer guess what ? A honeyish flavor."

Get your Fourth of July started early and try this great new beer.  Live music will be provided by Killing Time and Bohdi.  If you can't make this release party their will be another held soon at Hurricane Grill in Plantation. Keep your eyes open for details.

July 3rd, 7:00pm-2:00am
Stage 84
9118 W State Road 84,
Davie, FL
(954) 474-5040

July 5th, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Hurricane Grill & Wings
1905 North Pine Island Road
Plantation, FL
(954) 475-8815‎