11/08/2013                                                                                                    
Beer Samples 
 
With hundreds of beer options now readily available, and more and more local pubs, breweries, and other fine craft brews heading this way, it's hard to pick a beer when you know you could pick 10 that you would enjoy. At this point you know what styles you may prefer, what flavors you like to taste, but then there's that beer you never even heard of. It uses coconut or figs or a new hop varietal and it just sounds like something you may really like or may not like at all.

A lot of bars and retailers tend to allow samples. Samples are a great way to try a beer to confirm that you would order a full pint of it after enjoying the 1 or 2 ounces. Samples are not meant to be abuse, however.. They are not meant so you can try everything "just because." Samples are meant to allow your palate the ease of making a decision you know you'll like to order. Bartenders do not want you to order a beer you know nothing about and then hate it. They want to make sure you enjoy it just as much as you want to make sure you enjoy it.

Sometimes we stick with the safe choice and order something we know we are going to like -- that porter with chocolatey notes, or that IPA with centennial hops. But other times we prefer to taste it to make sure it's something we know we can drink a full pint of. That imperial pumpkin may be delicious as a 2 ounce pour, but maybe Joe thinks it's a little too sweet for him to enjoy a full pint.

Take advantage of beer events with ticket prices for samplings: the Tallahassee beer Fest this weekend, the Pensacola Beer Fest next weekend, the Florida Film and Surf Fest, Beer Dinners, or even flights on those tap takeover or brewery spotlight nights.  They are meant for you to be able to try a lot (so you don't do the same at the bars) and see what sticks and what stands out. You may realize you want to order more than one of that beer you sampled next time you're out at the bar.

Cheers, 

   

Brown Specialty Team

UPCOMING EVENTS

11/08/13, 7:00 PM, MAITLAND 

The art comes off the walls and pops up all around campus, so guests can take part in interactive art happenings and enjoy music by Performing Arts of Maitland. Maitland Poets and Writers present literary readings, flash fiction, and literature out loud. Guests are encouraged to extend their stay and enjoy food and beer in the beautiful Courtyard, set up as a lounge for music and mingling. Many thanks to this time's Culture Pop beer sponsor, Founders Brewing Co presenting their Dry-hopped Pale Ale and their delicious Porter for the night. ...>   

  

11/09/13, 5:00 PM , TALLAHASSEE 

For one ticket price, sample over 50 beers, featuring a large draught truck with 50+ draughts from all over the country and a few imports. See the full list and details at www.brewfesttallahassee.com ...>  

  

Sanford and Suds 

11/10/13, 2:00 PM, SANFORD 

Couch racing and craft beer! Seriously. Enjoy samples of American Craft beers as you watch and root for your favorite couch racers to win Sanford and Suds! Featuring beers from Cigar City, Highland, Shipyard, and more! See https://www.facebook.com/SofasAndSuds for more information. ...> 


11/12/13, 6:30 PM, ORLANDO 

Opening reception starts at 6:30pm on the patio of Citrus Restaurant. Chef Lucas Reid will send out two different passed appetizers. Seating for dinner is at 7:00pm in the private dining room for a 3 course dinner. Seats are $50 each including tax and gratuity. Only 40 seats available.  Featuring Cigar City Good Gourd, Cubano Espresso, Jai Alai, Maduro, and more.
For more information and to make reservations, please call 407-373-0622. ...>   

 

11/15/13 and 11/16/13, 5:00 PM, NEW SMYRNA BEACH 

Join us either Friday, Nov 15th or Saturday, Nov 16th, or both for featured films and short films, film makers, and Florida surfers. Featuring local Florida craft beer available from Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Fla) and Green Room  Brewing (Jacksonville Beach, Fla). Representatives from the brewery will be there as well. For more information please visit www.floridasurffilmfestival.com. ...>  

 

11/15/13, 7:00 PM, ORLANDO 

Join us in welcoming one of Colorado's best breweries, Avery Brewing, with a great selection of beer! ...> 


11/15/13, 7:00 PM, JACKSONVILLE 

Sample Boulder Beer Co brews Hazed and Infused. With your first pint of Boulder beer get a Boulder glass to take home while suppliers last! ...>  

 

11/16/13, 12:00 PM, PENSACOLA 

The Pensacola Craft Beer Fest is an event designed to allow the public to taste a unlimited large variety of beers. This is an opportunity to sample all styles of beer and determine your preferences. Beers from microbreweries, specialty bottled beers will be available for tasting. The event will also include food, art vendors and free entertainment. ...> 


11/16/13, 6:00 PM, JACKSONVILLE 

Featuring Boulder Hazed and Infused, Dragonhosen Imperial Oktoberfest, and Sweaty Betty Blonde on draught for the night with some Boulder Beer swag giveaways! ...> 


11/22/13, 7:00 PM, ORLANDO 

Featuring Founders Porter, Red's Rye, All Day IPA, Dirty Bastard, Centennial IPA, Rubaeus, and more on draught! ...>  

 

 

For all events, please see our event calendar. 

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We want to see your beer pictures! Feel free to share and post pictures of the beer you are drinking on our facebook pages with us,
or hashtag #BeerExpertsFL on Twitter.

NEW AND RETURNING PRODUCTSBeerfinder
VISIT OUR BEERFINDER TO FIND THESE PRODUCTS  
B. Nektar Dwarf Invasion  
The mead is inspired by a cherry lambic. We use Michigan wildflower honey as the base for this mead, and add tart Michigan Balaton cherry juice and then dry hop it with Styrian Golding hops. The taste is sweet, tart, acidic, with a mild bitterness from the hops. The aroma is pure heaven. 6.0% ABV
Green's Gluten Free Enterprise Dry-hopped Lager 

Made from gluten-free ingredients - millet, sorghum, rice, buckwheat, hops, water, and yeast (with no wheat or barley) - it is dry-hopped with West Coast USA hops for an appealing floral finish. It is golden pale in color, the nose is a mix of citrus-floral aroma sensations, clean with a light malt taste, but with an herbal, hoppy aftertaste. Body and mouthfeel are light and refreshing. 4.1% ABV

Innis and Gunn Scottish Porter 

This comforting Porter is the winter warmer in our seasonal range. We delved into the history books to conceive this recipe. As well as the flavor packed crystal wheat and roasted malt, we also added treacle to the brew which gives it a lingering, bitter-sweet star anise character. 7.4% ABV

Peak Maple Collaboration 

Peak Maple Collaboration is a truly local project. It's a new twist on our previously brewed Maple Oat Ale. We worked with local farmers and small businesses to craft this beer with Maine-grown organic oats from GrandyOats and Vermont-produced organic maple syrup from Butternut Mountain Farms. The Maple Collaboration is a copper-colored brew with a dynamic mouth feel from the organic oats and a subtle richness in the finish from the organic maple syrup. The beer is in support of Chefs Collaborative, the nation's leading environmentally conscious culinary organization. 6.7% ABV 

Red Brick Vanilla Gorilla  

Vanilla Gorilla, Brick Mason Series #8, has developed a cult following over the years. The original recipe was simply our Red Brick Porter with Madagascar Vanilla beans added. Over the years we've brewed different variations including the use of cherry wood smoked malt, aging in Jack Daniels barrels, peated malt and even smoking the vanilla beans at Fox Bros., a local BBQ joint. One thing you can always count on with our Vanilla Gorilla is a delicious vanilla porter with a creative twist. 7.5% ABV  

Summit Unchained 14: Biere de Garde 
For Unchained 14, Summit brewer Jeff Williamson brings you Bi�re de Garde - a classic French farmhouse style ale that is rarely seen fresh locally. Using the best French and Belgian malts, Jeff's brew entices you with a malt aroma of toffee, cherry and other goodies. The malt theme carries through to the taste, offering up more toffee, cherry, figs, caramel, and a hint of biscuit. A subtle hop spiciness plays amongst the flavors and it finishes crisp and dry. This hearty ale pairs well with bon fires, roasted meats and good friends. 7.3% ABV
Summit Winter Ale 
One taste and it's easy to see why the Brits call this style Winter Warmer. Nutty, roasted malt flavor with hints of coffee, caramel, cocoa and a dash of hop spice. It'll warm your cockles. Whatever those are. 6.1% ABV 
Founders Backwoods Bastard 
Expect lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch, oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts, a bit of earthy spice, and a scintilla of dark fruit. It's a kick-back sipper made to excite the palate. 10.2% ABV 
Monk IPA 
Monk IPA is a hop forward Belgian inspired India Pale Ale. Copious amounts of the freshest American hops deliver an array of citrusy, piney, tropical flavors and aromas balanced by the distinctive Belgian strong yeast. Available in 6-packs. 6.0% ABV 
Narragansett Bohemian Pilsner  
The Narragansett Bohemian Pils was styled after the Narragansett Imperial Bohemian Pilsner, a limited-edition offering released earlier this year. Brewed under the supervision of award-winning brewmaster Sean Larkin, the new Pils is filtered for a flavorful, sessionable beer experience. A flavorful yet easy-drinking and refreshing beer.  5.2% ABV 
Look out for new and returning favorites like Ommegang Adoration, Narragansett Fest, Swamp Head Hoe Hoe Hoe, Swamp Head Darkwater, Bell's Cherry Stout, Java Stout, Bell's Expedition Stout, Bell's Third Coast Ale,  Founders All Day IPA in cans, and Cigar City Sugar Plum.
*Check with your Brown sales representative for availability or products not available in certain areas 
BEER NEWS
Founders Brewing Co. creates craft beer label for new Navy aircraft carrier
By: Associated Press

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A Michigan craft brewery has created a special beer label to commemorate the christening of the USS Gerald R. Ford.

 

Founders Brewing Co. said the special label for its pale ale pays homage to the nation's 38th president, who grew up in Grand Rapids.  

 

Newport News Shipbuilding approached the brewery about creating the label marking the Navy's newest aircraft carrier's christening on Saturday.  

During the week, the special labeled pale ale will be on draft at locations in the Newport News area, along with commemorative postcards. It also will be served at a private christening dinner.  


For full article
To Stave Off Decline, Churches Attract New Members With Beer 
By: John Burnett

 

With mainline religious congregations dwindling across America, a scattering of churches is trying to attract new members by creating a different sort of Christian community. They are gathering around craft beer.

 

Some church groups are brewing it themselves, while others are bring the Holy Mysteries to a taproom. The result is not sloshed congregants; rather, it's an exploratory approach to do church differently.

 

Leah Stanfield stands at a microphone across the room from the beer taps and reads this evening's gospel message.

 

She's a 28-year-old leasing agent who's been coming to here in Fort Worth, Tex., for a year, and occasionally leads worship. "I find the love, I find the support, I find the non-judgmental eyes when I come here," she says. "And I find friends that love God, love craft beer."

 

Every Sunday evening, 30 to 40 people gather at Zio Carlo brewpub to order pizza and pints of beer, to have fellowship, and have church - including communion.

  

For full article
Now you can buy beer with Bitcoin in Beijing
By: Curt Hopkins

Beijing's Cafe Bar 2nd Place has become the first bar in China to accept payment in Bitcoin.

 

At the beginning of the year, when BitInstant's Charlie Shrem adapted his New York City bar Evr to accept the stateless crypto currency, it seemed like at best a proof of concept, at worst a stunt.

 

Now, at the close of the year, you can get blasted halfway across the world without tipping your hat to fiat money and the restrictions it enforces on its users.

 

Cafe Bar 2nd Place is in the funky Beijing neighborhood of Wudaokou, adjacent to a number of universities, whose students, along with a substantial population of expatriates, patronize the establishment, which opened in 2011.

 

Since April, a number of Bitcoin enthusiasts have been holding meetups at the bar, with the approval of its Japanese owner. One of them, an American named Jake Smith, made the case for Bitcoin as a payment option and Rin eventually decided to go for it.  


For full article
VOLUME 32
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Central Florida
In This Issue:
Upcoming Events
Founders Brewing Co. creates craft beer label for new Navy aircraft carrier
To Stave Off Decline, Churches Attract New Members with Beer
Now you can buy beer with Bitcoin in Beijing
Berry Wheat Beer and Wheat Berry Cornbread
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Featured Cocktail
:

Victory at Sea

-1 1/2 oz Privateer Rum
- 3/4 oz Lime Juice
- Dash Lemon Bitters
- 3/4 oz Simple syrup made with sugar in the raw 

- Saison of your choice 

 

Shake all the ingredients excluding the saison with ice. Then, strain and pour over cubed ice in a highball glass. Top with beer.

      
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Featured Recipe
Berry Wheat Beer and Wheat Berry Cornbread

 

By: EndlessSimmer.com

 

Heat up the cornbread and add some butter for a sweet and salty treat by itself or to pair with the beer you use in the bread. 

 

Ingredients

 

Berry Wheat Brew

- 2 cans (3.3 lbs) Wheat liquid malt extract
- � lb. crystal 20 L
- 2 oz. hallertauer hops
- Last three days of secondary fermentation, add at least one frozen bag of mixed berries (pasteurize before adding to the brew)

 

Wheat Berry Cornbread

- Fresh blueberries
- 1 cup flour
- 1.5 cup cornmeal
- � cup milk
- 12 oz. berry wheat beer (if you don't make your own, substitute for another wheat beer like Sea Dog varieties, Bell's Oberon, etc)
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp melted butter

- Preheat oven to 375�F.

 

Directions

 

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet and mix together. Add to greased pan.

 

Cook for 20 minutes if in shallow pan (recommended) or 45 minutes to an hour if in a loaf pan.

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