Don't mess with this bitch

After hearing about the return of Raging Bitch by Flying Dog Brewing Company via twitter, I knew I had to try it. The name itself is eye-catching along with its colorful label. Raging Bitch is Flying Dog's 20th anniversary beer filled with hoppy bitterness.

It pours an amber color with a large head; I could smell the hops immediately after pouring. Upon immediate taste the beer reminded me something else, something I couldn't seem to put my finger on. It was hoppy, spicy, malty. I enjoyed it, and as I drank, it's spidery web laced down my glass.

Raging Bitch is a Belgian-style Indian Pale Ale with an impressive 8.3% ABV. I would definitely have this beer again and would recommend to pick up some up before it flys off the shelves.As flying dog says "this bitch is dangerously drinkable."

Celebrating American Craft Beer Week in South Florida

Events galore are popping up around the country for craft beer week. BX Beer depot in Lake Worth is celebrating beginning May 18th with a different event each night. Events begin at 6:00 p.m. and lasts for two hours with tastings, prize giveaways and discounts.

Tuesday, May 18th
Avery Brewing Co. will be featured with Maharaja Imperial Indian Pale Ale being the main event.

Wednesday, May 19th
It is all about Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout that evening, with comparisons being made between their 2008 and 2009 brews. Aprihop will also be available on tap for tasting.

Thursday, May 20th

Southern Tier's Oak Aged UnEarthly will be on hand for anyone wanting a sample along with a few more from this New York Brewery.

Friday, May 21st

Local Florida brewery Cigar City will be featured with Hunahpu Imperial Stout as the main tasting of the night.

To close out the week BX Beer Depot is having a beer and food pairing on Saturday, May 22nd beginning at 6:30 p.m. A four-course dinner, paired with great beer for $44. Dishes and beers include Andouille and Asiago Burgers, Spice Rubbed Chicken, Southern Tier Hopsun and Avery Salvation Golden Ale. Attendees are being asked to RSVP no later than May 20th.

Find an event that works fits into your schedule and mingle with beer lovers just like you.

Forget Cinco de Mayo, there is another reason to celebrate in May

American Craft Beer Week is being celebrated by local breweries, home brewers, beer distributors and craft beer lovers across the nation from May 17th to May 23rd. First organized by the Brewer's Association the week higlights America's love of craft beer and celebrates small and independent brewers. Late last month a U.S House of Respresentatives solution was introduced to support the goals of American Craft Beer Week. Brewers are participating with special events like brewery tours, beer dinners, and special limited edition beer releases.

Supporters are encouraged to read and sign the Declaration of Beer Independence.

Stephen Colbert agrees on the importance of American Craft Beer Week.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
American Craft Beer Week
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox News

So get ready to celebrate in your area, even if it is at home with your favorite American brewed craft beer.

Strawberry Fields

Summer is approaching fast, and living in South Florida I'm already seeking a tasty beer to quench my thirst

During a trip to my local Total Wine and More I came across Abita Strawberry Harvest. After much coaxing from my significant other I picked up a six-pack. I didn't expect a lager that was supposed to taste like strawberries to be that great.

Strawberry Harvest is brewed late in Louisiana's strawberry season when they are at their sweetest. The wheat beer is only available for a short period of time, so when it comes out, it practically flies off the shelves.

Upon initial taste it was crisp and light, it was not at all overwhelming. The strawberry taste came in soon after; my initial response was "oh my gosh, how is this beer?!" The strawberry taste was not potent, but just enough to give it that fruit flavor. It was refreshing and delightful. The next thing I had was a piece of chocolate which complemented the strawberry lager. I knew I was going to have to go back and get more.

However, as with some beers, this beer is not for everyone. But if it is, buy enough to last you through the year because it will be gone before you know it.

New Times Beerfest 2010

Can't wait for next year

Beerfest - not the movie...

New Times Beerfest has been an anticipated event for 12 years. It is a downtown Fort Lauderdale tradition that attracts over 6,000 people. Now in its 13th year the event is offering a larger variety of beers, faster ticketing and admittance, and an improved layout for less crowding.

On Saturday, April 17th from 7-11pm with rain or shine, thousands will gather to taste beer from over 50 breweries including

• Abita Beer
• Shock Top
• Blue Moon
• Kona Brewing Co.
• Flying Dog
• Magic Hat

...and many more. Beerfest also has spirit sponsors like Sailor Jerry Rum, Cabo Wabo and Midori . Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at 1.888.877.8499. Buy early and save some money; general admission and VIP tickets are $25 and $75. At the door, tickets are $35 and $85.

This is an amazing event for beer lovers and I cannot wait to attend. Hope to see you there.

Feeling Devilish

Victory HopDevil Ale is one of the award winning ales produced by Victory Brewing Company. Brewing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 13 years, Victory sends their ales out to 28 states.

I was able to try a pint of HopDevil at Bar Louie recently. It was very aromatic with a prevalent smell of hops. Its taste was full of caramel and malt, bitter but also sweet. It was a strong beer with 6.7% ABV. Beer Advocate Reviewers gave this brew an impressive A/A-.

Bar Louie always has an impressive list of beers on tap, including seasonal beers and taps they change every few months so patrons can try something new.

I would recommend HopDevil to anyone who likes a strong, smooth and "hoppy" beer. If you're ever in the Pennsylvania area Victory Brewing also has free brewery tours on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as a restaurant that has some of the best beers Victory has to offer.

Forget wine, beer pairings is where its at

As craft beers gain popularity, more restaurants have begun to have beer dinners. Rather than pair different courses with wine, they are paired with beers.

On Wednesday April 14th, John Bull English Pub in West Palm Beach will be having a five course dinner paired with Dogfish Head beers. Each tasty course will have an equally tasty beer to be washed down with. The dinner is priced at $50 per person and begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Beer selections include

• Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
• Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
• Raison D'Etre
• Palo Santo Marron
• Indian Brown Ale

The menu is subject to change, however, some selections include Grilled Salmon Salad, herb Encrusted Lamb Chops and Flour Less Chocolate Cake.

For more information or to RSVP call 561.697.2855; reservations are limited.

Grease and Beer, what a great match

Grease Burger Bar is located in downtown West Palm Beach on Clematis Street. Their burgers are juicy, sandwiches plump and salads plentiful. The beer list is also just as juicy, plump and plentiful. Grease offers a beer list of over 70 beers bottled and on tap. After my first visit there I was hooked not only on the burgers, but also their beer.

Another visit there provided some newsworthy information; Grease changes their beer on tap about once a month. During my second visit I was able to try Left Hand Brewing Company's 400 pound Monkey. Left Hand Brewing produced this beer and sent this beer out to only a few selected markets in Fall 2008 with positive reviews. In Fall 2009, they released the beer to more markets and expanded into having it available on tap and bottled. The beer has pale golden color to it with a frothy head that continues to lace as it continues to be drank. This Indian Pale Ale was very bitter at first, but gets better after a few more sips. Boasting a 6.7% ABV, the beer is strong enough to enjoy just one. I recommend the beer, but it may not be for everyone; see what others have to say. 

Grease's beer selection does not stop there, they're selection is vast and can be found on their chalkboard at the back wall or online. In addition to bottled craft beers and beers on tap they have larger bottles of selected beer (750 ml) to share amongst yourselves. It is similar to sharing a bottle of wine, but better. Grease has happy hour every day from 4 to 7pm with 2 for 1 beer, cocktails and wine. Grease is a great place to go whether it is weekly or from month to month just to check out what great new beer they'll have.

Free Beer (Tasting)

Left Hand Brewing will be holding a beer tasting on Friday, March 26 from 4 to 6pm at Total Wine in Boynton Beach.

Left Hand Brewing produces great beers like Sawtooth Ale and Imperial Stout among many others. They also have seasonal beers like Warrior IPA and Fade to Black. So stop by, try some delicious beer and maybe even take some home.

More Irish Festivities

O'Shea's Irish Pub -  West Palm Beach, Florida

Located in downtown West Palm Beach, O'Shea's Irish Pub has been serving patrons the best of Ireland for over 15 years. On Wednesday, March 17 they will be closing the entire 500 block of Clematis Street for their festivities beginning at 10a.m. There will be live music from the traditional Irish band Amadans and Bodhrans , Irish step dancers and bag pipers. The food will be plentiful and so will the beer. O'Shea's Pub carries favorites such as:

• Tucher
• Harp
• Stella Artois
• Guinness and many more

Sláinte - Boynton Beach, Florida

Sláinte Irish Pub is located off of Gateway Blvd. in Boynton Beach. The word Sláinte means cheers to good health and is often used during get togethers with friends and family. On March 17 they will be opening their doors at 8a.m. with festivities going on until around 2p.m. There will be five bands performing including The People Upstairs, Evil Monkey and the Mighty Quinn . Sláinte is also working wth the St. Baldrick's foundation and there will be head shaving from 3p.m. to 7p.m.

The events for St. Patrick's Day are abundant, however, remember to be safe and always choose a designated driver. Enjoy the festivities and sláinte.

Join Roxy's Pub for music, beer pong and raising money for a great cause

Roxy's Pub at 309 Clematis Street is holding its annual St. Patrick's Day Bash on March 17, 2010 from 12pm - close. They are taking over the entire 300 block of Clematis Street. Live music will be provided all day from mini KISS, Spam Allstars, South Side Dub and others to be announced.

Wild 95.5 is also holding their 2nd annual beer pong tournament that day. The competition starts at 6pm in front of Roxy's and its only $20 per team to play.

Roxy's is also holding an amazing new event called Shave-a-thon with St. Baldrick's Foundation to fight children's cancer and raise money to fund research. Anyone can participate either by volunteering thier time, donating money or becoming a "shaveee." Shavees can have their friends, family and coworkers unite to raise money and sponsor their good deed.

With over 50 beers on tap including Purple Haze, Avery IPA, Strongbow and Key West Sunset Ale, Roxy's is going to be a hot spot for St. Patty's Day.

Celebrate St. Patty's for more than just one day

Bar Louie of Boynton Beach is celebrating St. Patty's Day from March 12 - 17. Just a few of their offerings include

• $4  Guinness Pints
• $5 Reuben Sliders
• $4 Jameson Shots
• $5 Naughty Irish School Girl Cocktails
• $5 Irish Car Bombs
• $1 Cup of Guinness Soup

For those not familiar with certain St. Patty's Day traditions I will do my best to explain. Guinness soup is simply beer and cheese soup made with Guinness. Irish Car Bombs are half pints of Guinness served with a shot of half Jameson whiskey and half Bailey's Irish Cream; insert shot glass into the pint of Guinness and enjoy. As for a Naughty Irish School Girl, Blake explains it best.



So if March 17 doesn't quite fit into your schedule, check out Bar Louie any time before that to enjoy their great deals.

Delray Beach's little hideout

In downtown Delray Beach , nestled between some boutiques and an Italian restaurant lies O'Connors Pub. O'Connors is a traditional Irish pub that serves up some great beer and food. The beer selection is not as vast as most places, but for an Irish pub it has what most people are looking for. The bartenders are experts at making half and halfs (Guinness & Harp) so what more can someone ask for.

The crowd there is a mix of old and young, but everyone is usuallly a local. Afterall, O'Connors is in walking distance from several condominiums in the area. The place is a bit on the smaller side, but also offers seating outdoors which is great when the temperatures outside are just right. Several months ago O'Connors' walls were barren from a recent paint job. Now, their walls are once again filled with funny stickers and beer decor.

O'Connors is open 7 days a week from noon to 2a.m. and has live music throughout the weekend.

Make your own green beer

Green beer on St. Patty's Day has been a tradition for decades. So, why do we drink green beer? Most believe that when the Irish settled in Boston and faced discrimination they chose to show their Irish pride by using the color green for all things Irish.

Most pubs, bars and restaurant will readily have beer available for all those who seek it. If you are more of the stay at home type than making your own green beer is an easy task. Simply choose a very light colored beer, such as Bud or Miller Light and use a drop of blue food coloring. Mix the food coloring in and voila, green beer.

If you enjoy ciders, maybe try Woodchuck Pear Cider which is a very light yellow color and has a great pear taste. So enjoy your green beer whether you are out and about or at home.

Why wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick's Day Video — History.com

St. Patrick's Day Pre-Gaming

As St. Patrick's Day looms ahead more and more events will be broadcast. St. Patricks Day falls on a Wednesday this year therefore some people are celebrating a beer drinker's favorite day early. Y-100.7 of Miami is hosting St. Practice Day on Friday March 12, 2010 at America's Backyard in Ft. Lauderdale. Tickets are $10 in advance with drink specials going on all night; festivities are from 6p.m. to 1a.m. There will be live entertainment from a U2 tribute band, disco inferno band and Paul Castronovo with Baker Act.

A portion of proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so go out and enjoy some great drinks for a great cause. Plus, practice makes perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Amsterdam's Infamous Beer Bike

Beer Pairings at your fingertips

It seems these days that there is an "app" for everything, and beer is no exception. Beer Brands is a free app on Iphone that lists appoximately 7,800 beers including favorites like Budweiser and Corona to Hennepin and Mephisto.

The app allows users to choose from an alphabetical list, beer style or even choose one at random. After choosing a beer users can see what kind of glass best suits the beer to be poured in, best serving temperature, ABV and even what foods pair best with it. So next time you're in the mood to try something new or pair your favorite beer with something tasty check out this app.

Head back to The Office for Happy Hour

The Office in downtown Delray Beach may have opened in January to mixed reviews, but this gastropub is a foodie and beer lovers delight.

The Office boasts and impressive list of over 20 beers on tap along with several bottled beers. Their prices are also impressive with most beers ranging around $6 to $9. The beers include wheats, ales and lagers and one particularly interesting category- "the drunken monks: trappist beers" which included Chimay Grand Reserve. Chimay Grand Reserve is a chocolatey stout with a 9.0% ABV.

Although they are still working on some kinks, The Office is a great place to go when you're looking for a great beer on the avenue.

America's Gold Medal Beer

When I think of Domestic beer my mind immediately turns to Budweiser. As a craft beer enthusiast I was beyond reluctant to even try this beer. Budweiser has taken a step in a different direction by introducting this ale and even launching its very own website.

To my surprise, the ale was actually good. The first thing I noticed was its richer flavor which was malty with notes of caramel. I expected Budweiser's usual watery and thin consistency but found the ale to be thicker and creamier. Its color was a red amber, somewhat similar to what s displayed on the bottle.

Overall, I was rather impresed by Budweiser's newest addition. It may not be something to have everyday ut Budweiser Ale is something that would make a great beer for a BBQ or tailgating event, or a substitute for when craft beers are not easily accessible.

Skip Disney, take a beer tour instead

New York Times recently posted a great article on Woodstock Inn Station and Brewery's beer tour in New Hampshire. The tour allows beer lovers to indulge in and learn about the craft of making your own beer. Beers tours are nothing new as Anheuser-Busch has been taking beer connoisseurs behind the scenes since the 1800s.

As craft beers become more popular and well-known, beer drinkers come to want to know more about where their beer comes from and how to make some themselves. Some breweries have begun to team up with local inns to offer weekend getaways while others have started to use their own on-site lodging facilities alowing beer lovers to get up close to the action.

As South Florida is not home to its own breweries moe information on tours from Sam Adams, Rogue Ales and Dogfish Head Craft Ales can be found here

Not your grandma's cider

Woodchuck Ciders has been making hard cider for two decades out of Proctorsville, Vermont. They offer quite an array of cider styles like Granny Smith, Raspberry and Pear, as well as their traditional 802 Dark and Dry, and Amber cider.

My first taste of Woodchuck was Pear and I was impressed enough to have more than one pint. As their ciders can be found in a variety of ways I was able to find bottles of their Granny Smith Apple, Raspberrry and limited release Fall Cider at Total Wine

My initial reaction to the Fall Cider was "how am I going to even finish this?" To say the least, it was not pleasant upon first sip. After letting it breathe and a few more sips the taste of old-fashioned cider came out. Hints of caramel and cinnamon stood out among other spices and flavors like nutmeg and pumpkin.

Having a limited release beer is always fun and new to try. Although not so pleasant at first, I would have this again. Hopefully Woodchuck will continue to release this cider every fall season.

Woodchuck has a great tool that allows those interested to contact "Woody" himself and find out where to find Woodchuck cider.

Beer really is good for you

A new report has found that beer and wine may strengthen your bones, as long as its in moderation. The rest of the article can be found here

93 Rock - The Best Damn Brew Review

93.1 is holding their annual Best Damn Brew Review on Friday, February 26th at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach. Gates open at 8pm and the event will go on until midnight. There will be over 200 craft beers there along with food from McDonalds, Tijuana Taxi Co. , Lime Fresh Mexican Grill , Big City Dogs and a few more.

Tickets are $20 in advance at any Total Wine locations and $25 at the gate (cash only). Parking is free along with three live bands that will be performing.

Some of the domestic brews that will be there include Dogfish, Holy Mackerel, Michelob, Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada. Imports that will be showcased include Erdinger, Fuller's, Kalik, Sapporo and many more. There will also be ciders from Woodchuck and Ace as well as Fruit Malts from Mike's Hard and Bacardi Silver. If you are a beer lover, THIS is the event to attend. Sadly, I will not be in town for it.

For more information about the event including the full list of beers visit 93 Rock Brew Review

Holy Mackerel

I first tried Holy Mackerel at Yardhouse in Palm Beach Gardens and was impressed by its drinkability despite its rather bitter taste.

Holy Mackerel was actually created by a Fort Lauderdale native who won the Sam Adams World Homebrew Contest in 1996. The Golden Ale is refreshing and crisp with a hint of spice. It has an impressive 8.5% ABV which goes down smooth. It can found bottled or on tap at several establishments throughout South Florida.

Beer Bowl

As the weekend approaches South Florida will be immersed in Super Bowl Parties and Events. One of my favorite places in South Florida is hosting an event with hourly drink specials.

Bar Louie Boynton Beach


Drink Specials include:
$1 Coors Light Bottles for 1 hour before kickoff (5:30pm - 6:30pm)

During the Game:
$8 Domestic Buckets (all Bud products, Miller Lite, Coors Light)
$12 Import Buckets (Heineken, Corona, Amstel)

Quarter Specials:
1st Quarter: $1 Jello Shots
2nd Quarter: $2 Domestic Drafts
Half Time: Half price Apps!
3rd Quarter: $3 Import Drafts
4th Quarter: $4 Svedka Vodka single liquor mixed drinks

Bar Louie has some of the best specials for anyone who loves their beer. Thier selection includes over 20 beers on tap such as Arrogant Bastard, Dead Guy Ale (Rogue), Seasonal Sam Adams beers and many more. They have "beers" of the month specials and amazing deals for anyone in the biz. Bar Louie is one of my favorite places to go and grab a pint in South Florida.

Friday Night Tiki Tastings

Each Friday night Bx Beer Depot in Lake Worth, Florida hosts a Beer Tasting from 6 to 10pm. Beers vary from week to week, but beer depot's selection of craft beers is plentiful enough that you won't be disappointed.

Wild Blue

Wild Blue marks my second venture in trying blueberry lager. This lager's 8% alcohol (by volume) is deeply masked by the intense blueberry taste. The beer's bluish/purple color was an indication that Anheuser-Busch did not just stop at flavor to appeal to blueberry lovers.

Although the flavor was enjoyable, the sweetness made it difficult to finish more than two beers. This beer can only be found bottled at select grocery and convenience stores.

Anheuser-Busch also suggests using Wild Blue to add flavor to your next salad.

Wild Blue Vinaigrette Dressing

Blend 6-8 fresh hulled strawberries, ½ cup fresh raspberries, ½ cup fresh blueberries and 2 tablespoons white vinegar in a blender until smooth. Add ¼ cup red wine vinegar, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup Wild Blue; blend briefly until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill.

UFO Hefeweizen

Harpoon Brewery introduced this tasty delight back in 1998. More often than not its name gets more attention than its characteristics.



UFO has a cloudy yet golden color and prominent citrus aroma. It is an unfiltered wheat beer that is often served with a lemon wedge to accompany its aroma and flavor. This refreshing beer has a clean finish that pairs well with seafood and spicy foods.

UFO Hefeweizen can be found all year long in several establishments around South Florida.

Monk in the Trunk

Total Wine & More has over 1,000 beers to choose from including an entire row dedicated to beers by the bottle. The ability to customize my own six pack of beer irresistable. The result after much indecisiveness was Monk in the Trunk, UFO Hefeweizen, Newcastle, Holy Mackerel and two Stella Artois.



Monk in the Trunk comes from Inlet Brewing Company based in Jupiter, Florida. This organic amber ale has a fruity and spicy aroma while its flavor is nutty yet sweet. Its copper color was lightly carbonated when poured and had a crisp finish.



Monk in the Trunk can be found on tap or bottled at The Yardhouse , The Food Shack , Mellow Mushroom and several other establishments in South Florida.