Key West Brewfest - Part 2

Arriving at the Key West Brewfest, we were right on time.  And I mean right on time.  This is another way of me saying we could have been earlier and that would have been just fine.  The booth was all set up and the beer was iced down (a big THANK YOU to Brown Distributing for that), and we were ready to rack and roll.  We were pouring Hazed & Infused, Sweaty Betty, Mojo, and Kinda Blue.  We also took some Hoopla Pale Ale to cast upon the city and let them get a taste of it.  We had a few shirts and a ton of posters to give away, so we were all set.

For the first hour, we just had the VIP folks in so it was slow going.  This allowed us to leave two at the table while the other wandered around and got a few more beers in them that they may have not gotten to try yet.  An excellent situation as there are some breweries in that area that we don't get to see very often such as Tequesta and Funky Buddha.  I was very excited to have some brews from these guys as I have not made it to their individual outlets yet.  Additionally, there were some other breweries that were brand spanking new there and we got a sneak peak at them before they became widely available.  VERY cool.

I went first and made my rounds.  There was a great steel drum band playing and the weather was beautiful.  Really can't think of a more idyllic place at this time of year and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all of the people who made it possible for us to be there  (including Honda, who makes a fine automobile).

One of the glaring characteristics we all noticed about the crowd was that everyone was just having a great time.  As much as that sounds like a "well duh" statement, it is actually not that common.  These guys we just chillin'.  Even the bathroom mines were extremely courteous which usually doesn't happen.  I'm lovin' the vibes down here!  Never once did I feel overcrowded or rushed.  Very, very good event.

I was able to make my rounds and see some of my favorite buds to search out at events:  Wallace from Terrapin, Chuck from Dogfish, Rich from Brooklyn, James from Harpoon, et al.  I always look forward to seeing these guys.  It's as if we get a little piece of home away from home by our own company.  Very strange but very real.

The folks from Brown were awesome and helped us out huge.  By the time the event ended, we were all feeling pretty well and made plans to meet up later at a really great place called The Porch.

The Porch is a really nice spot sitting inside a large plantation style home located on Caroline Street just off Duval.  They carry a very nice selection of draft beer and wine.  A flight of stairs leads up to the "porch" itself and there is always a nice crowd outside enjoying the sights and sounds of Key West.  Inside, you'll find decor reminiscent of a darker side of Key West, somewhat of a Dia de Los Muertos Light.  With the noise from the street and the activity on the porch itself, we were drawn back outside after ordering some beers and sauntered onto the deck to look out on the streets below.  Very nice to be at a distance and with the commotion at once.  A great spot.

Once finishing the beer festival and beer at The Porch, we headed back to the hotel.  Again, an early night in bed for an attempt at an early morning to get started.

Sunday morning meant a refill at Fat Tuesday and a walk down to a place that Rip wanted to go back and see, The Smallest Bar in Key West.  The attraction - a giant fresh pineapple filled with rums and exotic juices finished with cut cored pineapple.  A meal on its own and a great opportunity to catch a buzz, never mind continuing the buss that Fat Tuesday's brought on.  The proprietor was a nice lady who made the concoction herself after chopping up the fruit and filling the pineapple with the spirit.  I myself had a simple pint glass with the same mix which was quite delicious.  A good stop to be sure.

At this point we needed some grub and had heard some good things about Amigos Tortilla Bar.  Naturally, fish tacos were a requirement so first task was to ensure that they had it on the menu.  Sho 'nuff and we go in to see what is going on.  they had Abita Root Beer on draft!  I love Abita Root Beer on draft.  Ordered one - they were out.  Damn!  Changed my order to a Modelo Especial - out.  Damn!  The waitress brings me a Dos Equis instead - on the house.  YES!!!  Great food and a great hot sauce to boot - Mexican Butt Blaster.

Rip had wanted to hit the water since we arrived and outside of a brief jump in the water at the beer festival, we hadn't had salt outside of that that was on our tortilla chips at Amigos.  Therefore, we looked for a boat to rent.  Something to get us out in the ocean and something we could use to jump into the deep blue for some time.  Sold out.  Labor Day Weekend, duh.  We shoulda planned this better.

Instead, we found they had a few seats left on a giant catamaran that offered all you can drink beer and sparkling wine.  Done.

The company was a massive one in Key West called Fury Water Adventures and they have all kinds of kiosks set up around town trying to sell you different stuff.  I'm not normally into this big corporate stuff, but we had little choice and the catamaran seemed fun enough.  The tickets were $37.  Pretty cheap so I wasn't expecting much considering that it included free beer.  The image in my head was one of an over-packed trip into the water with a bunch of sweaty, smelly tourists sitting elbow to elbow.  not an appealing idea.

When we got onto the boat, we walked up to the third level and found a few people sitting around, mostly in their early 20s taking in some sun and awaiting the captain's orders.  We took a seat on the ground and started taking some pictures.  When the captain finally came on to announce our instructions, he let us know that although we were on the third level and the booze was being poured on the first level, the staff would bring around pitchers of beer and bottles of wine to keep our glasses full.  "Yeah right" I thought to myself.  "We'll be lucky to see these guys once."

Once we got out onto the water, the first round of drinks came out and filled up our cups.  About halfway through, another round.  Then another.  Another.  These guys rocked!   And they were super friendly.  Nice, polite fellas who seemed to be enjoying spending time with all we smelly people.  The captain was super friendly and we sailed straight at the sun until it started to hit the horizon at which time we started back.  Great picture opps the entire time and I wish I had had a better camera.

For $37, Rachel pointed out we would have spent more than that at a bar having drinks.  This way, we got a cruise and really cool people.  I would highly suggest this trip if you head down to Key West.

After the boat, we were whipped.  Back to the room and the end of our trip.  A great few days and I feel very, very lucky to have been able to take part.  Thanks to everyone who made it happen and as always, Cheers!

Key West Brewfest - Part 1

When I was told last year that I had missed the deadline to take part in the Key West Brewfest I was, in a word, devastated.  Not only is the Brewfest held in a town that every beer rep north of the Florida Keys wants to go to, the organizers sport us two days hotel accommodations to do it.

Needless to say, it is obvious that putting on a great festival is number one on their list of priorities.  When you have the gumption to put together a festival that locks breweries out and offers a weekend in paradise with nice digs to boot, you are creating for yourself the luxury to pick and choose.  Very, very smart.  So this year I was lucky enough to attend.  I was lucky enough because I begged Mr. Jeff Brown, owner of Boulder Brewing, to reserve a spot last year for this year's event.  Thank goodness I did.

A little about the event itself:

This year was the third year the event was held.  It is held by the Southernmost Hotel Collection in conjunction with the Key West Sunshine Rotary to raise money for their charitable causes.  It was held over Labor Day Weekend which makes it an awesome 3 day weekend and offers us a chance to get down there, enjoy ourselves, and make it back without sacrificing a day of work.  Held on Saturday is good.  Held on the beach in Key West makes it darn near incomparable.

I headed down there with Renegade Rip and his lady Rachel for the weekend and we all got dudded up in our Boulder brewing gear.  As much as I like working with multiple brands, it is somewhat nice to have a singular focus every now and then.  We left Friday afternoon with plans to stay overnight in Marathon Key, wake up early, and finish off the trip to Key West.

Once we get south of Miami and move our way into Homestead, we figure it would be a great idea to grab some Hornitos, limes, and maybe some premix shots.  We stop by this awesome liquor store, pick out some bottles, and I find a bottle of The Dalmore Gran Reserva.  The Dalmore was the whiskey that made me a scotch lover all those years ago and I have never seen the Gran Reserva.  The description is as follows:

"Our Master Distiller selects our most intense whiskeys, typically aged from 10 to 15 years, drawn exclusively from first fill oaken casks for this unique expression.  the assemblage combines whiskies from both Oloroso sherry butts and Bourbon barrels in an approximate two thirds to one harmonious fusion.  When married, the liquid is then returned to upstanding sherry butts for a further six months, delivering an enhanced, intense taste experience with a sweet finish."

I digress with way too much information, but this whiskey is really good and is everything it promises to be.  If you're a whiskey lover make sure to check it out.


Back to the story at hand.  We finally arrive in Marathon Key at the Sombrero Resort and Marina about 4:30 and our room is awesome!  Sitting on the river, it has a bedroom, a living room, and a nice bathroom.  Also connected to a golf course and has a boat slip.  Now if only I had my clubs with me.  Point is, room was awesome and I found it on Priceline at the cheapest possible price.  Way good price for this time of year.  Full kitchen and full sized fridge.  Enough for beer AND Diet Mountain Dews!

Given the long day and our days upcoming, we decide to drink on some Hornitos and dig into some Hoopla Pale Ale.  The beer is intended for sampling at the festival, but I can't help myself as I love this beer and we just got it in.  A double shot of tequila, a glass of whiskey, a can of Hoopla, and a bottle of Hazed & Infused down - I'm ready for some fish tacos.  We went to King Seafood there on the island (see previous review) and dug the whole experience.  Love it when a plan comes together.  Early night in and early to rise because we have a loooooong few days ahead of us.

Waking up in the morning, approximately 8:00 am, we get showered and get on the road.  A nice 42 miles to Key West from Marathon Key; down a tediously long bridge, fuel prices that increase 10 cents each subsequent island, and the constant threat of massive iguanas walking in front of your car.

We get to our hotel at about 10:00.  The Best Western Plus Hibiscus that the event organizers had set up for us.  Super nice place!  Hardwood floors, nice pool, one street from Duval, one street from The Southernmost Point.  No complaints here.  Add to this - one block from the event!

No time to check in and with it being so early, it will be a few hours.  Problem is - we have to be at the event at 2:30 and if we get started on par-tayin' now, it's gonna be a long night.....  As it turns out, it's gonna be a long night.  Figuring that Renegade Rip had not been to Key West and that we worked at Adobe Gilas together, Fat Tuesday's would be a good place to start and we could take it easy on some slow-drinking Slurpees.  If Brain Freeze is good for one thing, it's keeping you from drinking too fast.  We head down to Fat Tuesdays and each order a Rum Runner.  Rum Runners mean vacation to me and I refuse to drink them when I'm not on vacation.  Self-inflicted Pavlovian reaction.

We play a little Big Game Hunter, slurp down the drinks and grab one to go.  Figuring we had better eat beforehand, we head over to Blue Heaven for some grub.  The food there is always good and the atmosphere is awesome, so with the good weather, there is nowhere else I figured we should be.

Entering Blue Heaven, we are told they are not serving lunch until 1:00.  This is going to put us close on time, but if we don't eat, thar be rough waters ahead.  We grab a seat a the bar and an awesome bartender rolls up to help us out.  Pointing out that they have some specialty drinks that are native to them, we all decide to give them a roll and see how they are.  Naturally juicy and rum-based, they are of course delicious and hevvvvy on the alcohol.  Not so heavy, though, that we don't see the PING PONG table on property.  Time for a game.  Ping Pong goes back for me and Rip to the days when we used to go to Dolly's, drink Miller Genuine Draft, and play game after game with our buddy Trueblood.  Good times, good times.

If I recall correctly, I won.

We get our table, all order fish, and it is all delicious.  However, we are running late and still have to check in to the hotel.  No time for dilly dally and unfortunately we are in full stumble mode.  No worries, it's a beer festival and we will fit right in.  So after check-in the amble to the Key West Brewfest begins.  More about the rest of the trip upcoming.  As it stands, I am tired and this is a good place to stop.  Cheers!

A Sepia shot that we took of the water.  Not perfect, but i kinda dig it.