My girlfriend will soon be taking her yearly trip to Disney with her family and has agreed to mule me back some beer (that's love). She is already picking me up as much CCB as she can find, and I'm wondering what else FL has to offer. Anyone have suggestions of what I should try?
Not saying that there aren't other really good craft breweries in Florida, but most of them are not bottling or canning yet, so you can't get their beer unless you visit the brewery. Or if they started bottling or canning they are not available in stores around the state yet. Some of the ones that I am talking about are 7th Sun, Cycle Brewing, Funky Buddha, Wynwood Brewing, J.Wakefield. I think next year this time you will have more options, but if she's only going to a store to get some bottles to bring you back, and you want something from Florida breweries, Cigar City is your best option. One you could have her look for is Saint Somewhere Brewery. They are in stores around the state and they make some pretty good Belgian style/saisons in 750 mL bottles. Another thing that you could think about: what do they distribute to FL that you can't get in Maryland. Can you get Founders or Bells? Just a thought. See link here: http://seekabrew.com/distro/compare.html Enjoy the CCB that she brings you!
Naples Beach Brewery makes some awesome beer. I know they are bottling, but do not know if they sell it beyond SW Florida though.
Luckily I've already got a trade with a BA for some Founders and Bells (which I can't get in MD), but I didn't think to seekabrew it. Thanks.
Very limited. You hardly even see Naples beach brewing on draft around town. They won't be in Orlando.
Due South sells Category 3 IPA in a can. It's pretty meh though, especially when you can just get a sixer of Jai Alai. Like JCB said above - Bells and Founders. Looks like you don't get those in Maryland so get some breakfast stout, or two hearted, or oberon, or backwoods bastard. Hoppin Frog is awesome too, namely their stout called BORIS, they even distro a barrel aged one to FL. Tell her to hit up Luekens Liquors if shes going to be near Tampa.
I've been lucky enough to find a BA to ship me some Bells and Founders, but hopping frog is another story. I'll let her know to look out for it. Luckily she's a baby beer nerd (still going from IPA to DIPA). Thanks, BA!
Check out Terrapin Wake 'N' Bake/Moo Hoo and Sweetwater's Festive Ale. All three are top-notch beers!
