Tag: Florida

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Label talk

Every twice in awhile, I like to get a little nitpicky about labels. Why? Because there are indeed times when a label is the deciding factor between two unknown beers. Same for tap handles too, by the way.

So first, take a look at this label…

I like the color and the spareness of the label. It is very stark. And upon looking at other bottles in their line it sticks to the brand already established while also being separate from the rest. I like the sash across the top left as well. And the “message” on the far left is legible and nicely worded which some labels should emulate.

I am on the fence about the font. This is a Florida beer with a Louisiana tinge to the name and the modern font doesn’t quite match those two states of mind, as it were.

What I don’t like and what puts this label into negative territory for me is the logo. It matches the font but it goes way to arty for me and not modern but more shapes thrown together.

What do you think? Yea or nay?

(I still want to try their beer though, check out their offerings HERE)

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Your Help is needed…

….to pound some sense into some Florida politicians and to keep Cigar City beer flowing to the people of Florida and beyond.

Read this short bit from noted beer writer Sean Nordquist:
“Cigar City Brewing, located in Tampa, Florida, opened a tasting room last year to much success. By being able to extend their hours of operation and sell and serve beer on-premise, this local business was able to increase their employee count from 2 to 22. Serving award-winning craft beer in a comfortable and friendly environment, they have operated without incident, which few other establishments can claim. In a short time, Cigar City has achieved national (and international) recognition for their creative and consistantly excellent craft beer. In a state that has been often referred to as a “beer wasteland”, the fact that their beers are highly sought after is a testament to what owner Joey Redner and head brewer Wayne Wambles have been doing.
Now they are facing a huge problem. For reasons known only to themselves, members of the Tampa City Council have voted to not make the wet-zoning (required to allow the serving of alcohol) permanent, which would essentially force the closing of the Tasting Room. As Joey has said, this means “no more special events, no more limited release parties, no beer for sale – at all – at the Tasting Room.”
So as the citizenry, we have a responsibility to make our voices heard. Tell the Tampa City Council not to vote for killing jobs. Tell them not to vote for limiting growth. Tell them to reward success and not punish it. Tell them that local businesses are watching. And so are those that might wish to do business in Tampa in the future.”

These are the three members of Council who voted against Cigar City:
Gwen Miller
Thomas Scott
Curtis Stokes – Curtis.Stokes@tampagov.net

These are those Council members who voted for Cigar City:

Mary Mulhern – Mary.Mulhern@tampagov.net
Yvonne Yoli Capin – yvonne.capin@tampagov.net
Joseph Caetano – Joseph.Caetano@tampagov.net

Finally, the member who was absent. Let Charlie Miranda know you support CCB and craft beer and are counting on his yes vote on December 2nd.

Go to Save the Cigar City Tasting Room!

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Cocoa Beach Brewing

A new entrant in the fast growing Florida beer scene is Cocoa Beach Brewing Company.

Here is their beer list:
Cocoa Beach Pale Ale – A traditional American Pale Ale featuring two row malts, Nugget, Pearle, and Cascade Hops.

Cocoa Beach Key Lime Cerveza – Unique to Cocoa Beach Brewing Company, this Caribbean style beer is brewed with Pilsner Malt, Crystal Hops, and real Key West Lime.

Cocoa Beach Dirty Blonde – A refreshing, crisp, low(er) calorie beer brewed with Pilsner Malt and Crystal Hops.

“Just Some” Oatmeal Stout – Made with two-row pale malt, dark chocolate malt, black malt, and flaked oats – this rich stout is brewed with more than one ounce per gallon of Fuggle hops.

Sofa King Double IPA – Our take on the traditional India Pale Ale, our Double IPA is brewed with Pale and Crystal Malts. It is dry hopped with a generous amount of Simcoe hops.

Matt’s Special Bitter – Brewed with Maris Otter and Biscuit Malts, this complexly hopped British Ale is the brainchild of guest brewer Matt Backus.

Von Braun Ale – Our classic brown ale recipe, but with German Nobel hops. This unique beer with a Space Coast flair was a collaboration with guest brewer George Folmar.

Cocoa Beach Oktoberfest lager – Our version of the classic German beer, it is brewed with Vienna, Cara-Munich, and Victory Malts and traditional German Nobel hops.

The key lime cerveza sounds great. Much better than jamming a wedge of lime into a dirty Corona.

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Kris Kringle – Day 23

cigar city

We brew this English-style Old Ale with American hop varietals to celebrate the idea of a snowy winter landscape, if not so much the reality of it as we experience it here in Florida. Dark copper to amber in color, it has a complex citrus and caramelized toffee aroma with underlying notes of chocolate. The flavor begins with a dark caramel to medium toffee sweetness balanced by a firm citrus dryness and then moves into a forward malt character with hints of chocolate and rye in the finish and a lingering citrus and pine note. It pairs well with spiced ham and ridiculously warm winters. Enjoy one with the air conditioner turned down low.

I have had only one Cigar City beer but it was certainly unique. There is a reason for all the talk about them.