I had the chance to try a couple of ales from two of Tampa Bay’s newest breweries. While their respective styles are different, both ales are similar in their color and refreshing character. 7eventh Sun Belge D’Or (7eventh Sun Brewery; Dunedin, FL; Belgian Strong Ale; ABV: 7.9) is hazy golden in color, with savory notes [...]
It was a special day on Saturday when Mr. Beery’s in Sarasota hosted a Rare Beer Silent Auction & Mac ‘N Cheese Cookoff to benefit the HelpHOPELive Southeast Lung Transplant fund in honor of Erin Coleman, with all proceeds going toward her double lung transplant. It was a full house that turned out to honor [...]
Something was in the air this past Tuesday night. Maybe it carried over from the Infinium Release Party, but Beer Nerd Show & Tell was something special. Epic was the theme for this evening’s lineup. Samuel Adams Utopias (2009); Boston Beer Company; Boston, MA; American Strong Ale; ABV: 27.0. The first beer presented by Mark. [...]
The race for the World’s Strongest Beer has gotten carried away, and it looks like at least one brewery in the competition finally gets it. BrewDog has once again put out the latest pacesetter, but has stated that this will be their final foray into pushing the limits of alcohol content. BrewDog The End of [...]
With the spirit of Halloween in the air this week, I stopped by my local World of Beer this week and tried a very interesting and complex brew. The Beast Grand Cru (Avery Brewing Co.; Boulder, Co; Belgian Strong Ale; ABV: 16.0) is a Belgian strong ale that starts out smooth and then packs a [...]
It’s been a while since I had the Ommegang Abbey Ale, so I stopped by my local Total Wine & More to pick up a bottle. This is one of the best dubbels around; it more than holds its own with such Belgiums as Chimay Première (Red), Trappist Westvleteren 8, & St. Bernardus Prior 8. [...]
Marzens tend to be traditional Fall beers, but I had the chance to try a different take on this beer style at Crum’s Bar and Grill recently. Cigar City Marzen Spring Lager (Cigar City Brewing; Tampa, FL; Marzen; ABV: 5.5) is also known as Cigar City Oktoberfest Marzen when it’s released during the autumn months. [...]
You can add Crum’s Bar and Grill to a growing list of exceptional brewpubs in the Tampa Bay area. Located in downtown St. Petersburg, and owned by Chris Crum and Lanette Miller, Crum’s Bar and Grill offers craft beer, food, and live music in a hip casual setting. Speaking of which, there’s 52 selections of [...]
The last time I was at the Cigar City Brewing Tasting Room in Tampa, I learned something new. Did you know that bats pollinate blue agave plants, which provide the ingredient found in tequila? So it’s fitting that I tried a double cream ale, named for the bat, that’s aged in tequila barrels. Cigar City [...]