And so it goes… and so it goes…

In the final days of the Guest of the Year award on United We Drink, it became clear that it was a fight between two juggernauts: me… and the Damn Tom Barris.  It was a knock-down, drag-out fight.  While I rallied my supporters with inspirational oratories, he lurked in shadows, rasping and wheezing his flannel-woven venom.  In the end, we fell short.  Somehow Mr. Barris orchestrated a surge of votes in the final hours.  So to you, Tom Barris… Just you wait… This is far from over…

In happier news…

There are a lot of great things happening locally.  Some news, some events…

First off, just want to remind everyone of the Official First Tapping at Seventh Sun this weekend.  Looks to be a great time, and there is sure to be some amazing beer served, even if you can’t have the very first one…

I was excited to hear the news that Green Bench Brewing Company has come to fruition.  The efforts of St. Pete natives Nathan Stonecipher and Steven Duffy, Green Bench will be located on 1st Ave. N. in St. Petersburg and will have a tasting room and a beer garden.  I met both of these guys a while back, and their energy and passion is impressive.  They are eager, but also recognized that they needed a “real” brewer to make it work… so they went and found one!  Matt Manthe will assume the role of Head Brewer, coming off a stint with Thomas Creek brewing in South Carolina.  He is young, but does have the professional experience in brewing that Nathan and Steve lack.  I hope to hang out with them all before the brewery opens and get some more info, maybe take a tour of the building they have leased.  Anyway, it is great to see a brewery in St. Pete finally!

Another awesome announcement came right before the end of the year from the Atlantic coast or the Sunshine State.  Local craft beer heroes Funky Buddha Brewery in Boca Raton, makers of the much-ballyhooed Maple Bacon Coffee Porter and Wide Awake Its Morning brews, are going to begin distribution.  In their announcement, they answered the capacity question with the reveal that Cigar City Brewing will be allowing them to use equipment to brew until they can get their own commercial brewery up and functional.  This is layer upon layer of awesome.  Not only does it mean that the goodness that is Funky Buddha Brewing will no longer be hoarded by the likes of Mike and Phil, and others will be able to get their hands on some, but with it being brewed at Cigar City, one has to assume it will then also be available in the CCB Tasting Room as well as on shelves locally.  I have only had a few of FBB’s beers, but all of them were exceptional.  I am really looking forward to having them available here!

Finally, Willard’s Tap House is celebrating their second anniversary on Saturday, January 14th.  Blaine & Chrissy have been great friends and supporters of the craft beer culture in the Tampa Bay area, and Willard’s has certainly set itself apart as one of the best places for craft beer in the area.  With forty rotating taps and a great and knowledgeable staff, Willard’s is a required stop for any craft beer lover visiting Tampa Bay.   Check their Facebook page for details as they become available, but this should be a great party.

Lots more stuff on the horizon.  2012 is already shaping up to be a great year!

Cheers!

~ by Sean Nordquist on January 3, 2012.