Sweetwater Brewing's 16th Anniversary Party

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Hopjack's Event Flyer

Sweetwater Brewing recently celebrated their 16th birthday and they're bringing the party to Hopjacks - Downtown this Friday, March 1st starting at 9pm.

They're bringing some great party favors Sweetwater 16 Anniv. Glasswareincluding limited edition "Sweetwater 16 Anniversary Glassware". These unique glasses will go quickly so don't show up fashionably late if you hope to acquire one of these beauties.

Of course, what type brewery birthday party would it be without some celebratory beer? Sweetwater decided that this special occasion required an equally special brew. They will be bringing a keg of their latest Dank Tank project "16th Anniversary Ale" which Sweetwater describes on their website as:

The brewers went out of the box with this super heady limited-run Dank Tank release. With a license to brew, they stepped on the gas and whipped out a racy Red Wheat Wine (say that five times fast). This beer rips down the road at 11% ABV, fueled by a 45% wheat bomb and an after-burner hop shot of Amarillo, Willamette, Nelson Sauvin, and US Goldings creating a brew that is sure to raise some hairs.

Head down to Hopjacks Friday night and wish Sweetwater happy birthday. We look forward to many more years enjoying this southern breweries libations.

Review: Black Rose Immortal Imperial Stout by GrassLands Brewery

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GrassLands Brewery is a new craft brewery 'in planning' out of Tallahassee, Florida. With the company slogan 'Earth First Ales', owner Gabe Grass is hoping to provide Northwest Florida (and eventually the state, followed by the country and on to the world) with 'uniquely crafted beers made with 100% natural malts, hops and adjuncts', using organic ingredients and recycled materials 'whenever and however possible'.

GrassLands Brewery is also committed to 'environment and animal welfare', utilizing 'environment-friendly and sustainability/conservation-focused business and operation practices' in all facets of the brewery. A brewery that aims to make great beer while helping the environment; it's easy to root for GrassLands.

We've reviewed Grasslands' Le Roi Rouge Imperial Red in the past, and came away impressed. This time we're lucky enough to get our hands on GrassLands' Black Rose Immortal Imperial Stout (BRIIS). The name is derived from this song, and we're going to do our best to not hold that against the beer. (Kidding!)

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Swamp Head Brewery Now In Pensacola

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Image courtesy of Swamp Head Brewery Just last summer I read Florida Bar Tab's article "Swamp Head: Fun with Beer" and was happy to hear that Swamp Head Brewery's goal was to distribute to all of Florida:

The folks there say the goal is to get statewide and then stop. They want to be a Florida beer and be true to the state.

I excitedly posted on twitter about the good news only to receive the slightly disheartening response from Swamp Head:

We'll have beer flowing in the Panhandle eventually, but probably won't be soon... #bummerforthepanhandle

In my mind, this meant it would be at least a couple of years. Well, Swamp Head pleasantly surprised me by announcing that they are now distributing to the Panhandle.

Swamp Head is well known for making great beer, their Year Round Fleet includes:

  • Wild Night: Cream Ale brewed with Tupelo Honey

  • Cottonmouth: A fruity and refreshing Belgian Wheat Bier

  • Stump Knocker: A hop-focused American IPA

  • Midnight Oil: A delightfully smooth stout with a pronounced flavor of organic french roast coffee

  • Big Nose: A beautifully aromatic India Pale Ale

Swamp Head is distributed by Brown Distributing. Also, Brown's website includes a "Beer Finder" which is a wonderful tool to help you find who is carrying Swamp Head's beer (make sure to select Swamp Head from the brewery drop-down).

Ready to get your hands on some Swamp Head at your favorite Pensacola locations? Make sure to let them know!

Cigar City Brewing Returns to Pensacola

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If you're a fan of Cigar City Brewing and live in the Pensacola area, you've been out of luck for a while now. Cigar City beer hasn't been available anywhere. That's about to change, however. The Tampa based brewery is bringing their award winning craft beer lineup to the Pensacola area once again.

On Tuesday the 19th World of Beer - Palafox will be holding a Cigar City relaunch party starting at 6 pm. Buy a pint and the glass is yours.

If you miss that party, or simply can't get enough Cigar City beer, Hopjacks - Downtown will be holding their relaunch party and a meet-and-greet with Cigar City Brewery staff Thursday the 21st starting at 8 pm.

As always, you can find info on both World of Beer - Palafox and Hopjacks - Downtown on the Pensacola Beer Locations page.

A Hop Eclipse Now! in Pensacola

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For those familiar with Dogfish Head (DFH) Brewery, you already know that DFH has released some amazing IPA style beers. There is the continually hopped lineup of 60, 90, and 120 minute IPAs. The bottle conditioned 75 minute IPA (a blend of 60 and 90 minute IPAs with maple syrup added), the Robert Johnson's Hellhound On My Ale IPA (brewed with dried lemon peel and flesh), the oak-aged Burton Baton IPA, and their Indian Brown Ale (a unique cross between an IPA, Scotch Ale, and American Brown Ale).

DFH is celebrating their innovative IPA lineup with a series of beer dinners held across the country. They are also bringing two brand-new IPAs, a redesigned Randall the Enamel Animal, and a a special new glass to these events.

The good news is that they will be holding one of these "AHopEclipse Now! beer dinners at Hopjacks Nine Mile Road. The event will be taking place on Wednesday, March 13th starting at 7 pm.

The food portion has yet to be set, but the following beers will be included:

Dogfish Head founder and president Sam Calagione talks more about the "Hop Eclipse Now! " dinners as well as hops in general in the below video:

Hopjacks hasn't announced when tickets will go on sale, but they're guaranteed to sell out quickly. We will update this post when more information is announced.

Hopjacks - Downtown Celebrates 5th Anniversary

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The craft beer scene in Pensacola has flourished during recent years, including the arrivals of Pensacola Bay Brewery in 2010 and World of Beer in 2012.

But it was Hopjacks opening way back in 2008 that helped jump-start the local scene, and it's not a stretch to admit that without Hopjacks there probably wouldn't be a Pensacola Beer. Not only did Hopjacks bring great beer to Pensacola, but they've been actively involved in promoting and growing the local community.

Of course, Hopjacks didn't stop with their downtown location. They've since opened Hopjacks - 9 Mile Road and Hopjacks Filling Station. But it was their downtown location that started it all, and where a celebration will be held tomorrow night (Wed the 13th) from 7 pm to close.

Hopjacks has been secretive about the festivities, but I'm sure they have a few things planned. At the very least, you'll be helping support a great local establishment, and showing them your appreciation for the past 5 years, and hopefully many more to come.

Fairhope Brewing Announces Grand Opening Day

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Fairhope Brewing just opened their doors to the public last month but there have already been a few changes worth noting. They have expanded the taproom hours which is now open:

  • Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 4pm - 10pm
  • Friday and Saturday 12pm -10pm
  • Sunday 12pm - 7pm.

When they first opened, Fairhope Brewing had two of their flagship beers, Everyday Ale and Section Street Wheat, ready to go. Both Painted Black and Fairhope 51 Pale Ale are now available, so they have all four of their flagships beers on tap at the brewery. Their website describe these beers as:

Painted Black

The Painted Black IPA is one of the first examples of this new style to emerge from the South. It combines the dark-as-night color of a stout with a prominent "Northwest" hop aroma — citrusy, piney, and resinous. The body has some sweet malt flavors, with just a hint of roastiness and toasted malt. (7% ABV)

Fairhope 51 Pale Ale

Fairhope's No. 51 is a classic American pale ale, brewed with a combination of American-made Falconer's Flight hops and German hops. Named for being the 51st recipe entry into head brewer Dan's beer notebook, this pale ale is packed with hop flavor but not overly bitter. Though this crisp, flavorful beer was 51 in Dan's notebook, we expect it to be your top choice for a pale along the Eastern Shore. (5.8% ABV)

Fairhope Brewing has announced that their Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, February 16th from 4-10pm. During the Grand Opening, they will be pouring their four staple beers along with six specialty beers from their pilot system (released throughout the day):

  • French Quarter Porter
  • Fairhop #1
  • Banana Nut Muffin
  • Double Dry Hop 51
  • Belgian Wit
  • Imperial Honey Wheat

Attendees will be able to purchase a commemorative glass filled with the beer of their choice for $5. Refills of the commemorative glass, for any beer being poured, will only cost $3. Food vendors will be attending as well so that you will have the opportunity to pair their beer with food. Musical entertainment for the event will provided by Brett LaGrave.

So plan a trip out to Fairhope Brewing, try their beer, pick your favorite and bring a growler of it home. That way you will already know your favorite flagship beers and can concentrate on the pilot beers, entertainment, and food while at the Grand Opening.