American Craft Beer Week: How to properly celebrate
COMMENTARY
With 22 breweries and counting, there’s plenty to fill your glass — and your afternoon with in Central Florida. American Craft Beer Week is May 14-20, the perfect opportunity to celebrate local craft brews. Not sure how? I’ve come up with a schedule to get you through part of the week. and a sizable beer list just add to the fun.
Go: Open Mic night is held Mondays from 6-10 p.m. 400 S. Sanford Ave in Sanford; 407-732-6419; SanfordBrewing.com; Facebook.
Come by Ten10 Brewing Co. on Tuesday evenings and watch a colorful group begin to form. For a little more than 2 years, the Ten10 Run Club has met at the brewery for beers, socializing and oh, yeah, a run. There are 2-mile, 5K and 10K loops. All skill levels are accepted into the group, which averages about 50-60 runners each week. “It’s welcoming to everyone as long as you have a pair of running shoes,” said organizer Brad Park. Even if running isn’t your thing, it’s a good opportunity to meet some new folks — although you won’t have that runner’s high.
Go: Run Club is held Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. 1010 Virginia Drive in Orlando; 407-930-8993; Ten10brewingcompany.com.
Trivia is a great way to find out how much random knowledge you’ve tucked away in the recesses of your mind. Beer unlocks that hidden knowledge, or so I’ve heard.
Here’s where to go on Wednesday:
The Brass Tap — Mills Park; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1632 Mills Ave N. in Orlando; 407-270-9538; BrassTapBeerBar.com/ MillsPark
Hourglass Brewing, 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays, 480 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; 407-262-0056; HourglassBrewing.com
No event today — instead you’re tasked with trying a new-to-you brewery. For me, that was Ellipsis Brewing in east Orlando. A spacious taproom gives visitors the options of pulling up a bar stool or a chair with or without some of the games provided. On tap is a variety of beer styles — from a pilsner to a dark ale. It’s Ellipsis’ hazy, fruity New England IPA’s that really stand out, however.
Go: 7500 TPC Blvd., No. 8, Orlando; 407-250-5848; Facebook.com/EllipsisBrewing Gather a few friends together for a beer tasting of Florida brews — bonus points if they’re from a local-to-you brewery. Here are a few tips from me:
Try to have a variety of beer styles — although a flight of one style of brew might be fun if you and your guests have a favorite.
Plan your lineup. How you serve the brews, even if they’re all a specific beer style, can affect your taste buds. Take a look at the ABV (alcohol by volume) or bitterness levels. Higher ABVs generally should be sipped at the end of a beer pairing. Consider the flavors, too. Strongly flavored beer also should be tried last.
You’ll want three to four ounces of each brew for each of your guests, so plan accordingly.
Double-check with an expert.