Tag: florida beer

Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance appoints Sean Nordquist Executive Director

TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance, a regional advocate for the Tampa Bay beer community, has announced the appointment of Sean Nordquist as its new Executive Director. Nordquist brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit administration, fundraising, and community building, furthering the Alliance’s mission of raising awareness on issues important to the industry, combining and sharing resources, and improving communication between breweries, trade partners, and community residents.

For more than a decade, Sean has distinguished himself as a fierce advocate for the craft beer industry, not only in the Tampa Bay region, but across Florida, and at the national level. His prior role as the Executive Director of the Florida Brewers Guild and his extensive experience within the Tampa Bay community – demonstrate his ability to create connections, communicate ideas and values, and champion the beer industry at all levels.

Sean’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance. His proven track record in fundraising, partner relations, project management, and community engagement will be instrumental in advancing our first initiatives of 2024, the Brewers Relief Fund and the USFSP Brewing Arts Program’s Internship Assistance. These programs are designed to give directly back to the people who make the beer community strong and help usher forth the next generation of professional brewers.

“I’ve known Sean for years,” said Joey Redner, founder of Cigar City Brewing and the catalyst for the Alliance. “In that time I have watched him be a voice and torch carrier for Florida craft beer. His advocacy comes from a place of passion and earnest admiration and respect for the people that work so hard to brew the beers he himself geeks out over. The Tampa Bay Brewer’s Alliance can only benefit from Sean’s knowledge, experience and passion.”

For more information about the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance and their programs and opportunities, contact Sean Nordquist at director@tbbeer.com.

Big Storm Brewing plans fifth location in Tampa’s Ybor City

Ybor City’s craft beer scene is growing again with Big Storm planning to open a brewery in the vacant Hamburger Mary’s and Mary’s Pub locations in Ybor City with plans to open by the end of 2021. Big Storm will be joining the likes of Coppertail, Tampa Bay Brewing Co., BarrieHaus Co., Zydeco Brew Works, and Rock Brothers Brewing – among others on the way. 

“We have long wanted to open an Ybor location and are excited to have finally found what we think is the perfect spot, in the heart of the district, overlooking East 7th Avenue,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. 

“We are also excited to open our first taproom in Tampa, giving those who love beers a place to visit in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.”

The Ybor City taproom will be the independent craft brewer’s fifth location in the Sunshine State.  In November, Big Storm expanded to Central Florida, with the opening of a brewpub at Amway Center in downtown Orlando. 

The taproom will feature Big Storm’s core beers, including, Bromosa, Tropic Pressure, Wavemaker and Sunny Key Lime. Govoni also says Big Storm will brew small batches of dark and barrel-aged beer in Ybor with an emphasis on aggressive imperial stouts. He says they will install an oversized 5-barrel brewing system.

In addition, the Ybor location will feature spirits like Big Storm’s branded vodka and award-winning Blood Brother’s Bloody Marys. Last year, Big Storm purchased controlling interest in Blood Brother’s.

Despite pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ybor City has continued to grow with new restaurants, hotels, and breweries opening their doors to the public and filling out Centro Ybor, 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue which lagged in growth for years prior. Big Storm navigated the pandemic in a pivot to hand sanitizers when shortages became clear in 2020 in what was a very challenging time for breweries when they were shut down for months by the state. 

Big Storm, based in Clearwater and founded in 2012, is currently distributed in five states including Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. Their Best Florida Beer champions include Oktoberfest Märzen Lager (Best in Show Champion and Gold Medal), Belgian Single (Silver Medal) and Helicity Pilsner (Bronze Medal).

A new Peruvian American microbrewery is now open in Sarasota from the Santa Maria family

Peruvian American craft beer awaits with Almazonica Cerveceria. Almazonica means Amazonian soul. A combination of the best of Peruvian culture with the culture here in the United States. There’s a small Peruvian Amazonian family-owned and operated cerveceria and restaurant that has been open since 2017 and run by the Santa Maria family. Almazonica started with that idea and there is nothing more American than that. 

The owners of the microbrewery wanted to add their Peruvian roots and be part of that movement and contribute their palate, ingredients, tradition, and enrich the pool of potentially delicious local craft beer that people can have. They believe that people respond to authenticity, passion, and things that move them.

The goal of the microbrewery is to go beyond making delicious craft beers. They want to bring art and culture that enriches the local scene. It has been a three-year labor of love. 

“We had a lot of help from friends along the way,” Santa Maria says. “From the floors and building our control system brewhouse. We really appreciate everyone who’s contributed to our vision.”

The mission of the brand is to celebrate the vibrancy, breadth and depth of Peruvian and Floridian culture through great products and customer experience as a fully U.S. first Peruvian-Inspired small batch cerveceria and restaurant. A neighborhood hangout, where people from lots of backgrounds spend time together over a brew and food.

All beers are prepared in small batches on their “Hecho A Mano” brewing system. Almazonica Cerveceria will have 6 of their own beers on tap. They say they realize that their wares will not be for everyone, but also recognize that you don’t have to like something to appreciate where it comes from and what it stands for.

Chef Darwin Santa Maria and Brewer J. Mendez are drawing on their culinary training to forge this connection between the kitchen and their small batch cerveceria, building recipes for their beers in the same manner a chef would for a dish. Their beers are created with simplicity and balance in mind, and can be enjoyed both on their own or paired with food. Darwin has a long history in the Sarasota area with both Peruvian food and craft beer.

“Beer is our food. Our craft beer was born with a legacy to accompany food to its glory.”, Chef Santa Maria says.

Almazonica Cerveceria believes in supporting the community that supports our business. In an effort to support our local community we will always offer a charity brew on tap at all times. It is located at 4141 South Tamiami Trail Suite#16, Sarasota, FL 34231 with Darwin Peruvian Eatery. 

Photo Credit: Almazonica Cerveceria

NEWS: Coppertail Brewing in Ybor City celebrates 6 years

Coppertail Brewing Co. located in Ybor City is celebrating their 6 year anniversary with a crowd-sourced mixed 4-pack of Hop Skull IPAs. A little over a month ago, fans were asked to vote for their favorites of the Hop Skull Series and the top three would end up being re-brewed and released as part of an assorted 4-pack.

The fourth beer in the 4-pack is Coppertail’s Sixth Anniversary Hop Skull Triple IPA. This hazy IPA comes in at 10.5% and features Chinook, Citra, Loral, and Bravo Hops with their house haze strain. The
beer features notes of citrus, apricot, and pineapple with a sizable malt backbone to make it the “juiciest” IPA they have ever made.

The three winners of the voting contest were Hop Skulls #3, #5, and #11 which are all hazy IPAs.

“It feels great when you hit those milestones and the whole team wants to get together and celebrate. This is the best way we could think of to celebrate that milestone and still keep everyone involved.” says Kent Bailey, President at Coppertail Brewing.

The pack was released on Friday, August 28th, at Coppertail’s Ybor City location tasting room ONLY in a mixed 4-pack and on draft. It is also available as a standalone 4-pack. Commemorative shirts and glassware are available for purchase as well as a gift pack containing a shirt, 2 glasses, a mixed 4-pack and 2 free beer tokens.  

Coppertail Brewing Co. is an independently owned production brewery in Tampa, Fla, founded in 2014 by homebrewer and reformed attorney, Kent Bailey and professional brewer, Casey Hughes. The two wanted to bring more hop-forward and Belgian-influenced beer to the thirsty masses.

Find more information at Coppertailbrewing.com/HopSkull

Florida Brewers Conference coming to Orlando in August, tickets now available

The 3rd Annual Florida Brewers Conference is coming to Orlando this August at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. The event is organized by The Florida Brewer’s Guild, a non-profit trade association committed to preserved the rights and interests of all craft brewers throughout the state. The target audience is brewers, brewery owners, and industry workers.

Over 1,373,558 barrels of craft beer are produced every year in Florida. Florida craft beer is ranked 5th in economic impact in the state and at least 285 breweries operate in Florida (2018 Brewers Association data).

The conference aims to “provide brewery personnel and industry trades with a high-quality educational experience, plus an opportunity to network and share delicious Florida craft beers during the two-day trade show”.

Some highlights include:

  • Insights from Brewers Diversity Ambassador Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham
  • Florida specific educational workshops from industry experts
  • Discussions with regulators, including representatives from Florida AB&T
  • Networking with over 300 FL craft beer industry members
  • Commemorative tasting glass
  • Beer receptions, luncheon & trade expo

Sensory training will be available as an additional component to the conference and cover a variety of aromas found in beer. Organizers are expecting at least 500 guests.

Renaissance Orlando is located directly across the street from SeaWorld and close to Disney World, Universal Studios, and Discovery Cove. Sponsorship packages are now available for those interested.

Hotel accommodations are available to those attending the conference at just $149 a night, including the resort fee and self-parking.

Tickets to the Florida Brewers Conference are now available and start at $185 for Florida Brewers Guild members.

Event name: Florida Brewers Conference

Venue: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld

Date & Time: Monday, August 5th, 2019 to Wednesday, August 7th, 2019

Ages: 21+

Buy tickets: http://fbgcon2019.eventbrite.com/

Website: http://www.floridabrewersguild.org/florida-brewers-conference

Facebook RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/453368742076200/

Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019: March 2-10

Tampa Bay Bay Week 2019 is pre-kicking off on Friday, March 1st will go until Sunday, March 10th. It is a series of beer events supported by local brewers, distributors, and vendors. Tampa Bay is currently the home to over 100 breweries serving a wide-variety of beer styles.

Lately Tampa Bay has been moving into the hyperlocal space with new breweries popping up in neighborhoods such as Leaven Brewing and Bullfrog Creek. The craft beer industry has evolved every year and continues to grow.

Local favorites have increased their footprints across the state and across the country as well as they search for new markets.

Tampa Bay Beer Week is one of the best weeks to be a beer fan in Tampa Bay and Florida. Exclusive beers will be poured and collaborations will be everywhere. Enjoy the beautiful sunny weather and support all your favorite local brewers as they put all their effort into events that will allow you to taste and experience all that the potential the craft beer industry has to offer.

Some key events for Tampa Bay Beer Week 2019:

Visit Tampa Bay Beer Week online at tampabaybeerweek.com.

Tampa Bay Beer Week is presented by Armature Works. Sponsors include BJ’s Restaurant, Creative Loafing Tampa, New Belgium Brewing, Estrella Galicia, J.J. Taylor Distributing, Inc., Pepin Distributing, and more.

Brewer’s Ball 2018 Winners + Recap

The Brewer’s Ball 2018 presented by Best Florida Beer was quite the beer affair. The weather that day was perfect and there were a number of incredible entries that day at the event by breweries both near and far.

I have to say that my favorite beers that day came from Arkane Aleworks. I was a big fan of Gimme Swelter Mango Habanero Florida Weisse and Mezkin Blackbird Blackberry Sage Gose.

Here are the winners in different categories at the event:

Best Brewpub In Florida: Big Blue Brewing, Cape Coral, FL

Best Cider/Mead In Florida: Can’t You Hear The Thunder, Garagiste Meadery, Tampa, FL

Best Small Brewery In Florida: Arkane Aleworks, Largo, FL

Best Large Brewery In Florida: Infinite Ale Works, Ocala, FL

Second Runner Up Best Small Batch Beer In Florida: Yarmouth, Arkane Aleworks, Largo, FL

Runner Up Best Small Batch Beer In Florida: The Passionate Mango, Wicked Barley Brewing Company, Jacksonville, FL

Best Small Batch Beer In Florida: (Presented by Country Malt Group & Brewcraft USA) Chocolate Stout, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Fort Myers, FL

Second Runner Up Best Beer In Florida: Guayabera, Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL

Runner Up Best Beer In Florida: West Floridian, Infinite Ale Works, Ocala FL

Best Beer In Florida: (presented by Brewer’s Supply Group) Lightest Thing Ya Got, Big Blue Brewing, Cape Coral, FL

Full competition results page: http://bestfloridabeer.org/2018-medal-winners/