KBS Tapping Party at Lazer Wolf.

It’s Thursday, folks. We’re almost at the end of a week that’s been dragging on, and even though Friday is tomorrow, it feels like light years away. A little bit of a midweek pick me up wouldn’t hurt.

Michigan’s own Founder’s Brewing is making that last stretch of the week a tiny bit easier. Make your way out to Lazer Wolf in Fort Lauderdale for the tapping party for their KBS Stout!

The imperial stout that is known for it’s aromatic blend of chocolate and coffee flavors will be on rotation along with other Founder’s Brewing favorites: their All Day IPA, Mosaic Promise, Nitro Rubaeus, and Mango Magnifico con Calor 2016.

The beers will be available on tap from the bar’s opening to close.

Address:

Laser Wolf
901 Progresso Dr #101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
954.667.9373

 

 

Wow South Florida, Miami Can Get Casual Too!

 

The Magic City – Photo Provided by OurBrickell.com

 

Miami’s known for having packed beaches by day, and crazy nightclubs after dark. If you’re looking for a city that knows how to party, Miami will definitely serve that to you and then some.

Just when you think that Miami can’t get casual, here are some low key spots to visit when you want to take a minute away from the Miami craziness and grab a good brew.

Think there’s a spot that you know of that deserves mention? Send us a tweet at @CraftedFlorida and we’ll take a look at it!

Beer Cocktails: They’re a Thing!

I’ve heard of beermosas, (if you hadn’t noticed I’m actually a huge fan of them) but I thought that was the end all be all of beer cocktails. There’s a whole world outside of orange juice and beer apparently. Thanks to Cosmopolitan, we can give some of our favorite craft brews a bit of a liquored up twist!

Here were some of my favorites that I saw:

Mike’s Full Moon:

Mike’s Hard Lemonade by itself – meh. Mike’s Hard Lemonade with Blue Moon? You’re speaking more of my language now!

Ingredients:

1/2 bottle of Mike’s Hard Lemonade

1/2 bottle of Blue Moon Beer (Cigar City’s Florida Cracker is a great option for this too.)

 Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a glass. Stir and garnish with an orange slice.

The End Zone:

If I can finish this drink in one sitting, I’d definitely be scoring big. This drink sounds like a strong drink for a day full of football.

Ingredients:

12 oz. Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

36 oz. light beer (Try Hurricane Caribbean Pilsner for this one – despite the name, its a harmless light brew.)

12 oz. frozen lemonade

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir.

 

I’m definitely gonna try some of the recipes out. Beer is fun on its own, but imagine all the fun with a dash of liquor involved?

 

Trying out some of the recipes you saw today? Show us your masterpiece cocktails on Twitter @CraftedFlorida

 

 

 

The Internship of Dreams: Get Paid $12k To Travel, Party, and Drink Beer

Summer is one of the best times to travel around the world, party, and drink a lot of good beer. So why not get paid for it?

Florida based beer chain World of Beer is looking for three interns who will spend almost four months traveling all over the world to visit different breweries, beer festivals, and posting about their beer adventures on the company’s blog and social media.

World of Beer will pay each of these interns $12,000, while also covering travel expenses, lodging, and all the brews.

“We’re recruiting three Drink it Interns to hit the road this summer and search out the best craft beer and food the world has to offer,” the official description states. “We’ll send you down the street and around the world to capture the best beer stories and document them by blogging, capturing video, taking photos, Facebooking, Tweeting, sharing Vines, Periscoping, and anything else you think would be awesome to help tell the tale.” The company has accurately acknowledged this internship as the “beer internship of a lifetime.”

Want to apply? It’s simple. Follow the instructions listed on World of Beer’s website (HERE) and submit your application before the March 26th deadline. Essentially, all you have to do is share a one-minute video that shows your passion and interest for the position. You can also apply in person at one of the in-tavern interviews the chain will be having at different locations, which can be found here.

A sneak peak of interns’ future adventures – Image Credit: http://www.restaurantnews.com

Finalists will be chosen the week of March 28th, and final interviews will be conducted the week after. The selected interns will start their adventure at the end of the month, on April 25th.

For more information about this internship and how to apply, check out the official posting on the company’s website here.

Sprung! Spring Beer Festival Coming To The Heart of Wynwood

In a short amount of time, Wynwood has become a beacon for craft beer adventures in the 3-0-5.

And the adventures keep getting better.

On April 2, event management agency SWARM is bringing their popular SPRUNG! beer festival to the colorful district, with over 300 different beers available for tasting.

 

Image Credit: http://www.igotsprung.com

 

The event falls in line with some of the most well-known breweries spring and summer releases. Fans can expect to get a taste of new and seasoned ales from breweries such as New Belgium, Sweetwater, Magic Hat, Shiner, and Shipyard, to name a few.

Florida’s very own Cigar City, Concrete Beach Brewing, Wynwood Brewing, J. Wakefield, Miami Brewing Company, and Hialeah Brewing will also be at the festival to serve their enthusiasts and new fans alike.

WHEN:

4:00 – 7:00 P.M (Entrance time will vary depending on ticket type) Saturday, April 2, 2016

WHERE:

Old RC Cola Plant, 550 NW 24 St., Miami, FL 33127

TICKET INFO: 

General Admission: (4PM entry) $40

Beer Socialite: (3PM entry + souvenir bag) $70

VIP: (2:30 PM entry, VIP Lounge with special selection of food & beer and air-conditioned bathrooms) $90

Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.sprungbeerfest.com or by calling (305) 461-2700.

 

 

The Glassware of Beer – Pairing The Right Glass With The Right Brew

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to how a beer is served than in either a red solo cup or a mug. Check out some suggestions from BeerAdvocate about how best to have your beer served.

Flute:

This glass enhances and showcases carbonation while also providing a more intense upfront aroma.

Beers for this glass:

• American Wild Ale
• Eisbock
• German Pilsener
• Fruit Lambic
• Weizenbock

 

 

Goblet (Or for the fancy, Chalice):

This eye candy glass is designed to maintain the head of your beer and is wide-mouthed to allow for deep sips.

Beers for this glass:

• Belgian IPA
• Belgian Strong Dark Ale
• Quadrupel
• Tripel
• Dubbel

 

 

 

 

Mug:

This sturdy glass comes in several shapes and sizes and is one of the easiest glasses to drink out of.

 Beers for this glass:

• American IPA
• Cream Ale
• English Porter
• American Amber – Red Ale
• American Amber – Red Lager
• Oatmeal Stout
• American Stout
• American Ale – Black, Blonde, Brown, Dark Wheat

 

 

Pilsner Glass:

This glass showcases color, carbonation and clarity while also promoting head retention.

     Beers for this glass:

• Bock
• American Double/Imperial Pilsener
• American Pale Lager
• Japanese Rice Lager
• Witbier

 

 

 

 

 

Tulip Glass:

This glass does well in supporting large foamy heads for your beer. The top of the glass pushes out a bit to form a lip to capture the head of the beer.

 Beers for this glass:

• Saison
• Belgian Pale Ale
• Belgian IPA
• Scotch Ale
• American Double/Imperial IPA

Keep It Simple: The Beermosa

On most Sundays, I like to take the phrase “day of rest” really seriously. If I can, I make sure there’s as little movement and activity going on as possible. So when it comes time for Sunday brunch, rather than run around trying to find the most hip rooftop bar with $12 mimosas and screwdrivers that has a happy hour and no waiting list of reservations, I’m totally cool with having a relaxed Sunday at home amongst family and friends with some easy meals and simple drinks to prep.

This is where the beermosa comes in.  I remember the first time I heard about it was from a friend telling me about how his roommate would make them to have while he was watching MLS soccer matches. Indian River Orange Juice mixed with an IPA. So simple, so easy, and SO satisfying. I’ll admit, beermosas have definitely become one of my day off go-to’s.

The Beermosa – Image Credit: Southernfoodways.com

Don’t use just any beer for this. Mixing a porter or a cream ale with orange juice won’t do this simple beer cocktail justice. You want to have the right balance of orange juice with a good Belgian Ale or IPA to really give yourself one of the best cocktails to enjoy a lazy Sunday.

Here are so recommendations below of some of the best Florida brews to use for your beermosa:

1. Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

Image Credit: cigarcitybrewing.com

 

 

My favorite. I’ve got a tendency to grab a can or glass of this wherever I see it’s available. This IPA has a really strong citrus aroma blended with a tropical hop flavor that makes it an easy match to use for a beermosa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Funky Buddha Floridian Hefeweizen

 

Image Credit: funkybuddhabrewery.com

 

This German-style wheat beer is another hit when it comes to making a good beermosa. With a blend of banana, citrus, and cloves, this golden brew matched with a solid orange juice makes for deep beermosa that is as soothing as a Florida sunset.

 

 

 

 

3. Due South Category Five IPA

 

Image Credit: riversidemarket.com

 

Bellinis, Mimosas, Negronis, and Screwdrivers. Everyone has got their Sunday Brunch cocktail that gives them a really good buzz. If you’re looking to make your beermosa pack just as much of a punch as many brunch staples do, this Imperial IPA will do the trick. With an ABV of 8.5%, this brew guarantees some good Sunday brunch vibes.

Dogfish Head Brewery Founder Coming To South Florida

Image Credit: Dogfish Head Brewery

 

Dogfish Head Brewery founder Sam Calagione is coming down to South Florida to take part in meet and greet sessions at Riverside Market, Funky Buddha Brewery’s taproom and Tap 42.

Riverside Market:

When:  Wednesday, February 24 at 12:00 p.m

What’s happening: Fort Lauderdale’s hidden gem will host a couch-based discussion with the craft beer veteran while owner Julian Siegel will bring out some of his rarest Dogfish Head brews to the masses. Some brews that event goers can expect are:

• Romantic Chemistry
• Beer To Drink Music To
• Choc Lobster
• Piercing Pils
• Raison D’Extra

These beers and more will be making an appearance on tap as well as bottled for the event.

Address: 608 SW 12th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Funky Buddha Brewery:

When:  Wednesday, February 24 at 5:30 p.m

What’s happening: Funky Buddha’s “Off-Centered Wednesday With Sam Calagione” will host Calagione in the brewery’s taproom, where guests will get to mingle with him until about 6:30 p.m.

Funky Buddha will feature some of Dogfish Head’s finest such as Immort Ale , and Kvasir. Calagione has collaborated with Funky Buddha in the past on an imperial porter called Nano Nano. The beer is brewed with hints of cocoa, smoked habanero peppers, black strap molasses, and sea salt harvested from both Florida and Delaware coasts.

Address: 1201 NE 38th St, Oakland Park, FL 33334

 

Tap 42:

When:  Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m

What’s happening: Calagione will end his beer extravaganza day at Tap 42 with their EPIC Dogfish Head Event that will feature 18 Dogfish Head releases:

• DFH 90 Minute IPA
• DFH 120min IPA 2015
• DFH American Beauty
• DFH Beer Thousand 2014
• DFH Beer Thousand 2014
• DFH Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew 2014
• DFH Black & Blue 2015
• DFH Burton Baton
• DFH Chateau Jiahu
• DFH Chocolate Lobster
• DFH Fort
• DFH Higher Math
• DFH Immort Ale
• DFH Olde School Barelywine
• DFH Pennsylvania Tuxedo
• DFH Piercing Pils
• DFH Raison D’extra Ale 2014
• DFH Red and White 2014
• DFH Theobroma

Address: 1411 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

 

 

 

Brews and Bites – Beer Glazed Bacon

Just when you thought that beer and bacon couldn’t get any better.

Image Credit: Popsugar.com

Millionaire’s bacon – the sweet and savory candied bacon treat – can be a tough act to follow.  The smoky aroma and sweet tang can have a lasting effect that make this treat a difficult one to try to improve. Nicole Perry of PopSugar decided to take the challenge and put a beer glazed twist on the classic recipe. If you’re looking for a good back yard appetizer for your family and friends, look no further, this one will have your guests begging for more.

 

Image Credit: PopSugar.com

 

image credit: popsugar.com

image credit: popsugar.com

Ingredients

1/4 cup of honey

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup dark lager (You could try Cigar City’s Tampa Style Lager or Due South’s Craft American Lager)

OR

1/2 cup of a porter (Funky Buddha’s Maple Bacon Coffee Porter)

1/2 tablespoon grainy mustard

1/2 dry mustard

8 slices of thick-cut bacon

 

Directions

Step One: Preheat the oven to 300° F. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step Two: Add the honey and maple syrup to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Step Three: Add beer into saucepan and simmer until the volume has been reduced by half. Take off the heat and whisk in both mustards.

Step Four: Arrange the bacon on the prepped half-sheet pan. Cover with one more sheet of parchment paper and bake for 14-15 minutes.

Step Five: Using a paper towel, blot the rendered fat from the bacon. Brush the glaze onto the top side of each strip of bacon.

Step Six: Reduce the oven temperature to 275° F. Cook the bacon until crispy-chewy. (This can take about 40-45 minutes)

Step Seven: Transfer to a paper towel lined plate, keeping the bacon glazed side up. Serve immediately.

Saltwater Brewery Can Launch – Sea Cow Milk Stout

Delray Beach’s own Saltwater Brewery is having a can launch for their newest brew, the Sea Cow Milk Stout.

 

Image Credit: Saltwater Brewery Facebook

 

The brew, named after Florida’s native manatee (affectionately called the sea cow) has notes of smoke and roastiness that are balanced out by the lactose used in the boil.

Six packs and cases will be available in the brewery’s “Reef Room” in addition to the launch of distribution in several local and major beer retailers throughout South Florida.

For more information on this event, check out their post on Facebook here.