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Tampa
Bay Brewing Company - Ybor City, Florida
Each
March for the last 25 years I have attended the 12
hours of Sebring sports car race. I go with several
good beer drinking race fans; the race is great fun
usually beers are popped for the start at ten in the
morning. In earlier years we camped out at the track;
more recently we go for the day then drive somewhere
different for good beer, food and hotel beds. This
year we decided to go to Tampa after the race. There
is a new hotel within walking distance to the brewery
so once we got to Ybor the car would be parked and
the party would continue! This was the start of my
fiftieth birthday celebration and it was done in style.
TBB has 12 of their own beers on tap and 12 guest
beers at any given time. This is a great selection;
I don't know many brewpubs that constantly keep that
many beers on. The bar is located in a 100 year old
stable converted into a very cool pub with an upstairs
area for busy nights. Our hotel was two blocks from
the brewery and we walked over for drinks and dinner.
We were joined by my niece and several friends for
the party. Many different beers were had; the Old
Elephant Foot IPA is my favorite using Cascade hops
for some of its intense flavor. A special beer was
a double amber ale, which was memorable. It was smooth,
tasty and was probably a one time thing. It was written
on the board; there was no other mention of it as
far as I can remember. This was a fun Saturday night,
not too crowded but jumping pretty well. TBB has a
menu for any taste; the Shepard's Pie is classic;
there were many items for everyone else also. At one
point someone walked outside for fresh air and I joined
them. As it turned out this was so they could set
up a small happy birthday cake and ice cream. It was
fun and a good start to the two week long birthday
celebration. The picture to the left is of our party,
taken with my new digital camera which has been really
good to have to help remember these events. It was
a long day but really worth it. The early start at
the races followed by the evening at TBB will be a
memory forever. We finished up and got ready to walk
back to the hotel. Although only two blocks that walk
took well over an hour. The reason was that a Belgian
Beer bar got in the way on the walk home. That part
of the story is below in a separate listing. Website:
www.tampabaybrewingcompany.com
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New
World Brewing - Ybor City, Florida
As
we left TBB our intention was to walk back to our hotel,
going by a place I had been to several years ago. That
was New World Brewing. NWB no longer brews but they
are still a good local pub. It is about two blocks from
TBB with an outside seating area as well as a funky
inside. The place could be right out of the 1970's complete
with hippies and tie dye shirts. That's cool but now
they are a great beer bar also. As we came in I could
see some familiar micros on tap as well as some unusual
ones. It was a bit busy so we looked around and noticed
a cooler filled with all Belgian beers! This required
more investigating. So we proceeded to order different
beers and tried to drink their entire stock! At least
that is what I thought the next morning. The clientele
is mostly local and there is music outside. A good time
was had by all and we would like to return as there
are some beers we don't remember trying! It might be
good to get there earlier; I'm getting too old for these
two to three AM nights. It was a great birthday; we'll
do it again. Update 2018: After 22 years, it's last call...Read more. |
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Charlie
and Jakes BBQ and Brewery - Melbourne, Florida
Charlie
and Jake's is a brewpub combined with great Florida
BBQ. The original store was a local BBQ joint with
cooking taking place out back on a big pot bellied
slow cooker. The brewery location was opened in 1996
and I have visited many times. It is about three miles
from I-95 and makes a great pit stop on the road.
I have had lunch there and been back on the road in
less than an hour. The food beats any regular stop
made at any exit and the service is quick and friendly
so a trip can be continued. I have done this many
times; it still is a great place to enjoy god beer
and great BBQ for extended times also. I visited twice
this year; once on the way to Palm Coast and the other
on the return from my fall vacation. Both times they
had a great nitro IPA available; this was one of their
best beers in quite some time. Although it is a brewery
they have several guest taps (Dogfish 60 minute, Shipyard
Ale) and serve bottles as well. The locals drink a
lot of the big three and that has taken its toll over
the years. I have been there when the beers were not
so hot for various reasons. They lost a lot after
a hurricane and I believe they have changed brewers
several times. One time my Indian River Red tasted
like a wheat beer! That red used to be their best;
now it could or could not depending on the batch.
I know that the red style has fallen out of favor;
very few places have it now. The ownership has changed,
but still a worthwhile stop for great BBQ. Hopefully
the recent issues with the beers will clear up and
Charlie and Jakes will pour good beers again. Website:
CharlieandJakesBrewery.com
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Appaloosa
Grill - Denver Colorado
Located
in the "LoDo" area this was a great find
late on a Friday night. I flew in late and would not
meet the rest of our group until the next morning.
I stayed at a hotel nearby and needed a place to relax
before retiring for the night. Coming from Miami my
watch already read 1:00 AM when I found this gem.
I could hear jazz music outside and decided to check
it out. It is a small place with the small jazz band
in one corner. I saw good beer taps and asked what
they had. There were several locals but one stood
out; an IPA on hand pump! I can't recall the brand
but it was a great first beer in Colorado the home
of so many. They have a late menu; the black bean
chili sounded perfect for a late snack. The band played
on and I had another IPA. It was great just relaxing
and enjoying the music. I was alone but spoke to several
patrons, all having a good time. One gal left her
drink near me; she was so bombed that it was forgotten
which was just as well. The band quit and I spoke
with them and got their CD. Closing was coming; my
watch now read 3:00 AM! (Miami time) I headed back
for a good nights sleep; Pikes Peak and Wynkoop Brewing
awaited the next day. Website: appaloosagrill.com
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Wynkoop
Brewing Company - Denver, Colorado
Our
group was seven strong and would be vacationing in Colorado
for the next week. The first day was spent at and around
Pikes Peak and Wynkoop was our first dinner together.
I had visited many years earlier and wanted to come
back to enjoy an evening there. My earlier visit was
for a sampler and a few beers with several friends at
the bar. I remember having a sampler with eight or more
beers. This wasn't all they had; when we asked, other
beers from mysterious handles and taps appeared. I think
we probably had twelve. I enjoyed good beer then but
really didn't have the appreciation that I have now.
This visit was dinner with the group; two tables were
put together for us in a downstrirs corner. I remember
Railyard Ale and had it first. My next beer was the
IPA. I don't think they made it on my 1997 visit; very
few brewpubs did then. Now the style is "required"
if you want to satisfy your "hop head" patrons.
Wynkoop's IPA is mellow and served on hand pump so it
differs from typical American IPA's. Wynkoop matches
their great beers with an excellent varied menu. I had
the Stout braised pot roast a Koop specialty. The entire
party had a great night; there was something special
on both the beer and food menus for everyone. I wondered
around to check the place out. Upstairs I found the
90 degree pool table that I remembered and found other
areas of the place I didn't know existed. A guy gave
me a wooden nickel good for a beer on my next visit.
I would try to get back on this trip but time didn't
allow it. Since I didn't get back and still have the
nickel, I'll just have to return! Wynkoop is a must
stop on any good beer drinkers visit to Denver and I
will return. Perhaps in Feb 2008....Website: www.wynkoop.com
BeerDrinker of the year 2008 Beer
Resume |
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Dillon
Dam Brewery - Dillon, Colorado
Our
group was headed to Aspen and Dillon Dam is the perfect
lunch about half way through the trip from Denver. We
made a brief stop in Idaho Springs as I remembered it
was a cool town to explore. It was too early so the
local brewpub, Tommyknockers wasn't open yet. I will
have to return one day to experience that pub. Dillon
Dam is a two level place; the upstairs looks over the
bar and big windows let the outdoors inside. We ate
upstairs at several tables together. Service was prompt
and friendly. They have a good selection of beers; I
had the Pale Ale and the Sweet George's Brown. Both
were tasty and were good examples of their respective
styles. Others in the party had different beers; I know
the stout was enjoyed by our dark beer drinkers. I only
tasted the stout; a Dry Irish which was very smooth.
DDB has an extensive menu; they have pub classics and
Colorado standards. I enjoyed "The Dam" a
Buffalo burger with bacon. Buffalo is common in Colorado
and has really improved since my visit almost ten years
ago. Lunch came to an end and we got back on the road
for the trip to Aspen via Independence Pass. Website:
www.dambrewery.com |
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The
Grog Shop / Pardee's Pub - Aspen Colorado
While
in Aspen the good beer continued to flow. We found
The Grog Shop, near the base of Ajax Mountain to have
a good selection of Colorado brews. There are several
breweries in western Colorado that don't get distributed
out of the area. One of these is The Palisade Brewery
out of nearby Palisade Colorado. In stock at the Grog
was Red Truck IPA and Farmers Friend Irish Red Ale.
The Red Truck was one of the best bottled IPA's I
have found; when poured it could have been from a
tap. Farmers Friend is an authentic Irish Red also
very fresh and quite tasty. We found the service friendly
and prices reasonable and would return anytime. Nearby,
Pardee's Pub, coincidentally had the same two beers
available! Our group enjoyed happy hour at Pardee's
Pub with great snacks, billiards and good company.
The pub also has an incredible wine collection with
Colorado sports memorabilia on the walls. After happy
hour we went upstairs for a great "home cooked"
meal. Our group will remember this evening, our last
with my cousins in Aspen, as one of great microbrews
and good times. A visit to "The Bells" and
lunch at Hickory House BBQ (Aspens Best - trust me!)
would round out our days in Aspen. Brewpub note: While
rafting on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs
I spotted Glenwood Canyon Brewpub. As I floated by
I wondered how I could visit the pub. Alas the chance
never came so I'll get it next time.
Update 2018: Aspen Brewing Co has been established since 2008; this will be their 10th anniversary. There were no breweries there in 2006. The Palisade Brewing Company took over operations of Palisade Brewing in 2010. Although the beers mentioned above are no longer made the new place looks great and the brews excellent. A new trip to Colorado is in order as the craft beer scene has exploded! Roll over the picture for an additional shot!
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The rest
of the year is reviewed below. They wil be expanded as time
allows. |
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Walnut Brewery - Boulder,
Colorado
Great
beer selection with the best menu of the three brewpubs visited
in Boulder. St. James Irish Red and Indian Peaks Pale Ale
were both excellent beers. Big college bar; we got a "quiet"
booth off one side. Logo glasses for everyone! |
B
J's Restaruant and Brewhouse - Boulder, Colorado
A
chain brewpub that has good beers! We celebrated the sixtieth
anniversary here with a late dinner and brews. They were accommodating
and helpful with the celebration. Chicago style pizza went
well with their beers. |
Redfish
New Orleans Brewhouse - Boulder, Colorado
The
least enjoyed of the three we visited. Service was spotty
in a strange setting. One side was garage doors and the other
went onto another bar! The beer wasn't memorable. Acceptable
but needs inprovment. Prices a bit high. |
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Pub and Brewing - Fort Collins, Colorado
This
one's a classic. First visited in 1997 they are still going
strong in 2006. They have two sides to the place; the pub
and a pool room each has their own beers! Great beers and
selection; late lunch before visiting other local breweries. |
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Belgium Brewery Tasting Room - Fort Collins, Colorado
Now
in a new beautiful facility they are the 9th largest brewery
in the US! Very cool tasting room experience; you choose a
"racing" name and four beers from a list of eight.
Great atmosphere; they will mail a "coaster card"
anywhere for free!
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Cooper
Creek Brewing / Wild Wing Cafe - Athens, Georgia
On
my annual October vacation I stopped in Athens as I heard
Cooper Creek had opened. Unfortunately, I chose a rainy Sunday
and the pub was closed. Wild Wing was just down the street
with Terrapin Rye on tap and decent food. |
Mellow
Mushroom - Asheville, North Carolina
It's
"back to the '70s" at the 'shroom in Asheville.
On a beautiful October afternoon lunch was enjoyed before
a visit to Tom Wolf's house, nearby. Varied food menu with
fresh pizza special, great beer selection and tie dye everywhere! |
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Good People Drink
Good Beer! - HST |
