Hello - I'm travelling to Fort Lauderdale for work tomorrow. Does anyone have any recommendations on unique beers to the Southern Florida region that I should pick up at local bottle shops? It'd be great if they carry currency for trading so I can enjoy and trade with them as well. Thanks!
Heya! If you can find fresh Jai Alai, and you love IPAs, pick up as much as you can carry. Other Cigar City brews (e.g. Maduro Brown, Invasion Pale Ale) are worth your time, as well. Funky Buddha is definitely high on the list, as well. Not sure how well their distro carries them into Ft. Lauderdale, but certainly worth keeping an eye open. I'm doing much the same; heading down to Lake Worth tomorrow. Believe me, I'm planning on packing my suitcase full of Cigar City for the return trip. Cheers, and enjoy South Florida!
Funky Buddha is releasing bottles of Last Snow for the second time ever on 8/18. If this is within your means, its a must have. I'll second the Jai Alai. And The white oak aged Jai Alai was just released this past week, so you may be able to find that if you search hard enough. Aside from that, J Wakefield is one of the best up and coming breweries in the country. Don't expect to get anything to go, but the visit will most certainly be worth your time.
Exactly what I was going to say. Just picked up some White Oak Jai Alai and waiting for Last Snow to be released. J Wakefield does sell growlers and will even offer their Berliners and other sours to go. The trip down to the Wynwood district of Miami might be a little far though.
Funky Buddha is in Oakland Park which is basically part of Fort Lauderdale. It will probably be the closest brewery to where the OP is staying and they sell bottles and fill growlers at the tasting room.
Ft Lauderdale bottle shops: Total Wine has the biggest selection. ABC also has a ft Lauderdale location that does 32 and 64 oz growler fills. They often have J. Wakefield and Due South on tap. Also check out Riverside Market for food/beer (tap and bottle, can) and Craft Beer Cartel across the street (homebrew shop with bottles to go and growler station).
If you are looking for food with a pretty solid selection then hit up The World Famous Parrot. Looks like a dive from the outside but they have a pretty good sized taplist and they small bottle cooler probably has a couple hidden gems "to go"
