It’s Coming…

The Mother of all Beer Weeks!  American Craft Beer Week, May 14-20.

Check out this great video put together by CraftBeer.com:

J.J. Taylor’s Craft Breweries of Florida

It is exciting to be a part of the growing Craft beer trends, however it is more enthralling to be working alongside such an elite group of innovative and passionate breweries on a daily basis.

Saint Somewhere Brewing, Dunedin Brewery, Cigar City Brewing, Intuition Ale Works, Florida Beer Co. and Tequesta Brewing Co. are forever changing the palate and mindset of the Native Floridian beer consumer…one sip at a time!

Keep up the outstanding creations!

April Craft Calendar

MONTHLY SPECIALS
House of Brews, Lutz & Oldsmar – $3 Abita Beers
North Bridge Tavern – Featuring Chimay White bottles all month long
World of Beer, Carrolwood – $3 Sierra Pale Ale cans
World of Beer, Land O Lakes – $3 Sam Adams Summer bottles
World of Beer, Sarasota – Featuring Sam Adams Special Reserve Series on tap and in bottle
World of Beer, 4th Street St Pete – $3 Sam Adams Summer bottles
World of Beer, Westchase – $3 Abita Purple Haze

APRIL 1
Ocean Blues
1934 Hillview St, Sarasota

Keep the Pint Night with Sam Adams
Buy a Sam Adams Summer draft and keep the glass!
Event is open to close

Legend’s Pub
1816 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota

Keep the Pint Night with Sam Adams
Buy a Sam Adams Summer draft and keep the glass!
Event is open to close

World of Beer
8217 Tourist Center Dr, Sarasota

Palm Sunday
Featuring discounts on all Palm Belgian Amber pints and keep the glass promotion
Event is noon to close

APRIL 4
Palm Harbor House of Beer
34970 US 19 N, Palm Harbor

Stone Brewing Night
Buy a Stone draft and keep the glass!
Event starts at 700p

APRIL 5
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
3100 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa

Annual Craft Beer sampling event: featuring more than 75 Craft beers.
Event runs at 600 – 800p

APRIL 6
Mr. Beery’s
2645 Mall Dr, Sarasota

Ballast Point Night
Featuring Sculpin draft, Sculpin firkin, Reef Rye, Piper Down Scotch-style Ale, Barmy Honey Apricot & Smoke Screen Helles Lager infused with chipotle peppers
Event is 300p – close

APRIL 7
Total Wine & More
1720 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

Sam Adams Sampling
Event is 1200 – 300p

APRIL 8
World of Beer
8217 Tourist Center Dr, Sarasota

Easter Sunday
Featuring discounted pints of Avery Salvation and Avery Reverend
Event is open to close

APRIL 10
Crush Wine Bar
100 S Dixie Hwy, Stuart

Ultimate Dogfish Head Tasting
Featuring 8 spectacular selections!
Event starts at 400p

World of Beer
402 S Howard Ave, Tampa

Sierra Hoptimum Night
Event starts at 700p

APRIL 11
Dunedin House of Beer
927 Broadway, Dunedin

Stone Brewing Night
Buy a Stone draft and keep the glass!
Event starts at 700p

Whole Foods
1548 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

Samuel Smith Salute Tasting
Featuring Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Organic Lager and Organic Fruit Ale.  Receive a glass for every 4pk you buy!
Event is 400 – 700p

World of Beer
9524 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa

Samuel Smith Salute Promo
Featuring several Samuel Smith beers, raffles and glass giveaways
Event starts at 700p

APRIL 13
Fleming’s Prime Steak House
4322 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa

European Beer Dinner with Latis Imports
Contact Fleming’s for pricing and more information (813) 874-9463
Event starts at 630p

Total Wine and More
4800 Park St N, St Pete

Samuel Smith Salute Tasting
Featuring Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, India Pale Ale, Organic Lager and Organic Cider.  Receive a glass for every 4pk you buy!
Event is 100 – 400p

APRIL 14
House of Brews
300 State St E, Oldsmar

Bayou Broil featuring Abita Beer
Event starts at 500p

Hyatt Regency
1000 Blvd for the Arts, Sarasota

Poolside Gourmet Beer Dinner
Visit www.JLSarasota.org or call (941) 953-5600 for more details

Total Wine and More
4800 Park St N, St Pete

Samuel Smith Salute Tasting
Featuring Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, India Pale Ale, Organic Lager and Organic Cider.  Receive a glass for every 4pk you buy!
Event is 200 – 500p

APRIL 19
The Hideaway
2454 McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater

Cigar City Beer-B-Que
Featuring special pricing on all CCB beers plus samples from the CCB reps on hand
Event starts at 600p

Thirsty Turtle
2615 Mall Dr, Sarasota

Batch 19 Keep the Pint / Kill the Keg Night
$3 pints, $12 growler with 2 pints
Event is 400p to close

APRIL 20
World of Beer
402 S Howard Ave, Tampa

420 Event featuring Boulder Hazed and Infused, Abita Purple Haze and more!
Event starts at 700p

APRIL 21
House of Brews
17683 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz

Bayou Boil featuring Abita Beer
Event starts at 500p

APRIL 26
8th Avenue Pub
103 8th Ave N, Safety Harbor

Sam Adams Night
Buy a Sam Adams Summer draft and keep the glass
Event starts at 600p

World of Beer
5226  4th St N, St Pete

Chimay Night
Buy a Chimay draft and keep the glass
Event starts at 600p

Cigar City Brewing Criterium and Street Festival

Join us this Saturday in Tampa’s Downtown for the Cigar City Brewing Criterium and Street Festival!  Come watch over 600 amateur and professional cyclists compete in a sprint-style race at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour through the streets of Downtown Tampa.  In addition to the race, there will be a day long street festival featuring food trucks, Florida’s longest outdoor bar and City Cycle’s Mobile Tasting Room.

Cigar City Brewing will be on hand offering several delicious brews for sale including Criterium Ale, Jai Alai IPA, Maduro Brown Ale, Marzen Spring Lager and more!

Not quite sure what a Criterium is?  Check out the video below for a preview of some the action.

2012 Cigar City Brewing Criterium from Tampa Downtown Partnership on Vimeo.

Tampa Bay Beer Week is Almost Here!

The first-ever Tampa Bay Beer Week kicks off tomorrow and you’re probably sitting there wondering how you can get your hands on a printable calendar of events so you can choose where to go and what to drink!

Have no fear, your friends at Brew Kettle Times are here to help make your planning a little less stressful.  Click this link to download the BKT Tampa Bay Beer Week Calendar detailing the days events by location and time.  You can also swing by the Tampa Bay Beer Week Facebook page to check out their list of events, or follow us on Twitter @brewkettletimes to get up to the minute details on events in and around the Bay area.

Finally, we at J.J. Taylor ask you to please remember to enjoy Tampa Bay Beer Week responsibly.

Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager

One of the quickest ways to know that spring has arrived is with the launch of Abita’s much-anticipated Strawberry Harvest Lager.

Strawberry Harvest is made with real Louisiana strawberries, picked late in the season so that they are sure to be at their sweetest.  Similar to the base for Purple Haze, Abita brews a crisp light lager then adds natural strawberry juice to give the brew just a hint of strawberry sweetness.

J.J. Taylor is the 7^th largest Abita distributor, and in 2011 sold through more than 3,000 cases nearly tripling our previous years order.  In 2012 our goal is even higher as we plan to sell through more than 5,000 cases in the Tampa, Treasure Coast and Ft Myers markets.  No doubt this is one popular brew!

At 4.2% ABV and 13 IBU’s, Abita Strawberry Harvest pairs perfectly with salads and pastas as well as many fresh cheeses like Burrata, chevre or mozzarella.  But remember, Harvest beers are only available for a limited time and in limited quantities.  Head on over to the J.J. Taylor BeerSpy locater to find out where you can find Abita Strawberry Harvest in your area or just leave us a comment below.

March Craft Calendar

MARCH 1
Angry Pepper
4330 Duhme Rd, St Pete

GET HOPSLAM’D!
Featuring Bell’s Brewery Hopslam and other Bell’s drafts
Event starts at 600p

MARCH 2
Mr. Beery’s
2645 Mall Dr, Sarasota

Pint Night with Crispin and Fox Barrel Cider
Event starts at 600p

Stevie Tomatoes
15215 Collier Blvd #301, Naples

Beer Sampling with Palm and Florida Cracker
Event is 400 – 600p

MARCH 3 – 10
Tampa Bay Beer Week
Event and location information coming soon!

MARCH 7
Bailey’s General Store
2447 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Florida Beer Tasting
Event starts at 1100a

MARCH 9
Mr. Beery’s
2645 Mall Dr, Sarasota

Cigar Night featuring Cigar City Brewing
Event starts at 800p

MARCH 10
The Ale and the Witch
111 2^nd Ave NE, St Pete

Ballast Point Night
$4 Pints of Sculpin until the keg runs dry
Event starts at 300p

MARCH 14
World of Beer
9524 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa

Pre St Pats Day Sampling
Featuring giveaways and free Guinness samples
Event is 600 – 800p

World of Beer
17004 Palm Pointe Dr, Tampa

Brooklyn Brewery Night
Featuring limited drafts from Brooklyn Brewery
Event starts at 600p

MARCH 15-18
Taps
777 N Ashley Dr, Tampa

St. Patrick’s Day Specials
$4 Green Estamine & buy a Guinness, Palm or Black on Palm and keep the glass

MARCH 16
Total Wine and More
2528 State Rd 580, Clearwater

Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks sampling 230 – 400p
Magners Cider sampling 400 – 600p

Total Wine and More
4880 Park St N, Pinellas Park

Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks sampling 530 – 700p

MARCH 17
Shamrock Pub
2257 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day!
Music, dancing, food and BEER
Event starts at 900a

Total Wine and More
4880 Park St N, Pinellas Park

Magners Cider sampling 1200 – 200p

MARCH 20
World of Beer
100 4^th St S, St Pete

GET HOPSLAM’D!
Featuring Bell’s Brewery Hopslam and other Bell’s drafts
Event starts at 600p

MARCH 22
Bailey’s General Store
2447 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Gluten Free Beer and Food Tasting
Event is 1200 – 200p

World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

Spring into Summer Draft Event
Featuring giveaways and keep the pint promotions
Event starts at 700p

World of Beer
402 S Howard Ave, Tampa

Sapparo Brewery Night
Featuring Black Ninjas (half Guinness / half Sapparo), keep the pint promotions and free food!
Event starts at 600p

MARCH 27
Saddlebrook Resort
5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel

Sam Smith Beer Dinner
Contact Saddlebrook Resort for more information (813) 973-1111
Event starts at 700p

MARCH 29
North Bridge Tavern
2119 Siesta Dr, Sarasota

Thirsty Thursday with Harpoon Brewing
Specials on all Harpoon pints and keep the glass promotion
Event starts at 800p

World of Beer
402 S Howard Ave, Tampa

Bell’s Brewery Night featuring Hopslam
Event starts at 600p 

MARCH 30
World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

Spring into Summer draft event and Keep the Glass promo
Events starts at 600p

MARCH 31
Cigar City Criterium & Street Festival
Downtown Tampa

http://tampacrit.com/

Intuition Ale Works signs with J.J. Taylor FL

Jacksonville, FL – J.J. Taylor and Intuition Ale Works announced today their new distribution partnership. The Jacksonville-based brewery’s beers will be introduced to Central Florida beginning March 3 during Tampa Bay Beer Week.

The expansion represents Intuition Ale Works’ first foray outside their home market of Northeast Florida. “We’ve been deliberate about making sure we can supply our home market of Jacksonville before branching out to other areas of the state” says Ben Davis, owner and brewer of Intuition Ale Works.

Davis says J.J. Taylor targeted the brewery after hearing buzz in the craft beer world and making trips to Jacksonville to taste their portfolio of beers. Once the distributor won the 2011 Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award at the Great American Beer Fest in Denver, Davis knew it was a great decision to partner with them. “We did our due diligence and J.J. Taylor’s reputation precedes itself. A lot of our friends in the brewing industry are represented by J.J. Taylor and we are excited to work with such a highly respected distributor to reach some of Florida’s most discerning craft beer drinkers.”

“We are extremely proud to have Intuition Ale Works as a key part of our craft beer portfolio” said Matt Abdoney, Lead Account Manager of Specialty Brands for J.J. Taylor. “Interest in Florida-brewed beers has been growing for some time amongst craft beer drinkers in Central Florida and we feel Intuition Ale Works is brewing some of the best beers in the state.”

During Tampa Bay Beer Week from March 3rd to 10th craft beer enthusiasts will be able to enjoy People’s Pale Ale along with other selections from the Jacksonville-based craft brewery. After the inaugural launch, J.J. Taylor will distribute People’s Pale Ale as the core brand with plans to increase options in the future.

Just last week Intuition Ale Works announced that it was the first craft brewery in the state of Florida to can their beers. The brewery will work closely with J.J. Taylor to manage distribution of People’s Pale Ale initially to draft accounts and later cans as production allows.

Bigfoot Sighted in 2012!

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is likely the most iconic Barlywine in America, or the World?  He is a beast of a beer, brimming with flavor from the massive amounts of roasted malt and spicy hops; brewed in the Barleywine style with a rich, bittersweet body and whole-cone Pacific Northwest hops.

This morning Bigfoot has been sighted in a handful of better beer outlets around Central Florida.  He will only make his annual appearance for a very limited time.  It is told that Bigfoot ages with grace, but we ask that you please not be “that guy” that hordes the Bigfoot and doesn’t share the experience with others.  Bigfoot is simply too magnificent an animal to be caged to only one location!

February Craft Calendar

MONTHLY SPECIALS
World of Beer, all locations – $3.00 Abita Light
World of Beer, Westchase – $3.00 Sam Adams Alpine Springs
House of Brews, Oldsmar & Lutz – Harpoon draft
The Brass Tap, Brandon & Wesley Chapel – $4.00 pints of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Kellerweiss and $4.50 pints of Torpedo

THURSDAY, 02/02
Bailey’s General Store
2477 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Craft Beer Tasting
Event is 500 – 700p

Total Wine
1720 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Tasting with Palm Brewery
Event is 400 – 600p

World of Beer
5226 4^th St N, St Pete

Sam Adams Whitewater IPA draft release party
Event starts at 600p

FRIDAY, 02/03
Total Wine
1720 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Tasting with Bell’s Brewery
Event is 200 – 400p

Total Wine
4880 Park St N, St Pete

Craft Beer Tastings
Blue Moon, 200-400p
Merchant du Vin (Lindemans, Sam Smith Ayinger), 230 – 430p
Paulaner, 430 – 630p

Total Wine
2528 State Rd 580, Clearwater

Craft Beer Tastings
Florida Beer Co. (Key West Wheat, Swamp Ape, Florida Lager), 200 – 400p
Magners Cider, 400 – 600p

SATURDAY, 02/04
Total Wine
4880 Park St N, St Pete

Craft Beer Tastings
Boulder Beer, 100 – 300p
Crispin Cider, 200 – 500p

Total Wine
2528 State Rd 580, Clearwater

Craft Beer Tastings
Bell’s Brewery, 1200 – 200p
Boulder Beer, 200 – 600p

SUNDAY, 02/05
World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Superbowl Bash
$3 Peroni and ‘keep the glass’ promotion
Event runs during the game

World of Beer
5226 4th St N, St Pete

Superbowl Party
Half off Brooklyn Brown and Harpoon IPA drafts

Total Wine
2528 State Rd 580, Clearwater

Craft Beer Tasting
Stone Brewing, 1200 – 200p

WEDNESDAY, 02/08
The Brew Garden
904 N McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam, Oberon, Two Hearted and Amber

Palm Harbor House of Beer
34970 US 19, Palm Harbor

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam, Oberon, Two Hearted and Amber

THURSDAY, 02/09
Peg’s Cantina
3038 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam, Two Heated, Oberon and a variety of Bell’s bottles
Event starts at 600p

Shamrock Pub
2257 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam, Oberon, Two Hearted and Amber
Event starts at 800p

FRIDAY, 02/10
World of Beer
402 S Howard Ave, Tampa

Pre St. Patrick’s Day Party
Featuring Guinness, free samples and giveaways
Event is 900 – 1000p

SATURDAY, 02/11
Growler’s Pub
2831 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

We Heart Hopslam with Bells Brewery
Featuring Two-Hearter, Oberon and Amber
Event starts at 700p

Scully’s / The Hut
195 Johns Pass Boardwalk, Madiera Beach

Sam Adams Whitewater IPA draft release party
Event starts at 600p

MONDAY, 02/13
Bailey’s General Store
2477 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Craft Beer Tasting
Event is 500 – 700p

WEDNESDAY, 02/15
Dunedin House of Beer
927 Broadway #A, Dunedin

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam, Oberon, Amber, Two Hearted and Cherry Stout

World of Beer
2081 Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam and 4 other drafts from Bell’s Brewery
Event starts at 700p

Willard’s Tap House
12500 Starkey Rd, Largo

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam and other Bell’s drafts
Event starts at 700p

THURSDAY, 02/16
World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Carlsberg Night
Featuring ‘keep the glass’ while supplies last
Event is 700 – 900p

World of Beer
17004 Palm Pointe Dr, Tampa

Sierra Nevada Brewery Night
Featuring 8-10 drafts and giveaways
Event starts at 700p

FRIDAY, 02/17
Fusion Cigar Lounge
483 Mandalay Ave #112, Clearwater

Cigar City Brewing Night and cigar show
Event starts at 600p

Mr. Beery’s
2645 Mall Dr, Sarasota

Mardi Gras Celebration
Featuring Abita Brewing
Event starts at 600p

SUNDAY, 02/19
World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Abita Crawfish Boil
Featuring 4 Abita drafts
Event starts at 300p

TUESDAY, 02/21
New World Brewery
1313 8^th Ave, Tampa

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam and 4 other drafts from Bell’s Brewery plus free samples and giveaways
Event starts at 800p

World of Beer
All Locations

Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday Celebration
Featuring Abita drafts and giveaways
Event is all night long

THURSDAY, 02/23
New World Brewery
1313 8^th Ave, Tampa

Pre St. Patrick’s Day Party
Come enjoy free samples and giveaways
Event is 600 – 800p

North Bridge Tavern
2119 Siesta Dr, Sarasota

Thirsty Thursday featuring Bell’s Brewing
Discounts on HOPSLAM as well as $16 endless pints, until the kegs blows or the bar closes!
Event starts at 900p

The Ale & The Witch
111 2^nd Ave NE, St Pete

Stone Brewing Night
Cheese pairings and raffles
Event starts at 600p

World of Beer
13499 S Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam
Event is 600 – 800p

FRIDAY, 02/24

Legends Sports Pub
1816 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Oberon, Two Hearted, Amber and Hopslam
Event starts at 500p

World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Hop Head Night
Featuring Bell’s Brewery Hopslam and 3 other drafts
Event starts at 700p

SATURDAY, 02/25
Dunedin Brewery
937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin

Stogies & Stout 2012
Come on out for a night of Stout beer, cigars and blues
Featuring brews from Stone, Terrapin, Cigar City and Bell’s
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here:  https://www.dunedinbrewery.com/shop/details.asp?id=13&sku=SS2012

MONDAY, 02/27
Lost Kangaroo
406 12^th St W, Bradenton

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring Hopslam, Two Hearted, Winter White and Double Cream Stout
Event starts at 400p

TUESDAY, 02/28
World of Beer
12904 N Dale Mabry, Tampa

Cigar City Brewing Night
Featuring 5 – 8 drafts
Event starts at 700p

WEDNESDAY, 02/29

Mermaid Tavern
6719 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring a line up of Bell’s drafts, including Hopslam!
Event starts at 800p

World of Beer
8217 Tourist Center Dr, Sarasota

Bell’s Brewery Night
Featuring a full line up including Hopslam!
Event starts at 300p