Downtown was our destination on the evening of Wednesday, April 4 for the SweetWater Brewing Company tasting being held at Northstar Substation (119 E. Bay Street – 904.860.5451).
Parking can be a challenge downtown, but we found a spot not far from the front door. On the sidewalk in front of Northstar was a unit of elite soldiers, those intimidating members of the Galactic Imperial Navy – the Imperial Stormtroopers! … WooHoo! … this group of impressively uniformed New World enforcers is known as the Sandtroopers of the 501st Legion – Florida Garrison (see link below). They were marching around downtown Jacksonville to gain attention and donations for the Wolfson Children's Hospital during the well-attended Art Walk event being held that evening.
Graciously agreeing to my request for photos, I was informed by Patrick Thomas, apparent leader of this group, that his daughter was inside Northstar Substation selling Baby Cake Pops for the same charity!
As I entered Northstar, obviously arriving a little early for the tasting, the girls selling the Baby Cake Pops were stationed at the close end of the bar. We purchased two of the tasty treats and they were incredible! … a small cake-on-a-stick dipped in chocolate … unique and delicious, decadent yummers! … well done, girls!
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| Andrea, Stu, the JBB and Kris |
Stuart Brown from SweetWater was managing the tasting event for the brewery and I learned quite a bit about him, the brews du jour and the SweetWater brewery itself.
Offered up that night from SweetWater (descriptions per their website):
SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale – I also refer to this brew as “Bong Water” - not sure why – but I first tried it in pre-Jax Brew Bitch days at a Mellow Mushroom in Albany, Georgia. I still remember how “clean” it tasted – and at that time, I was not remotely interested in beer – having been exposed only to the tasteless (now, at least to me) mass produced liquid. Now, although I have a taste for ales, porters and stouts, the Bong … I mean SweetWater 420 is still one of my favs.
“SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, our most popular brew, is a tasty West Coast Style Pale Ale with a stimulating hop character and a crisp finish. 1st brewed on April 20th 1997. Note – 5.4% ABV”
SweetWater Blue – this was the first time I had tried this beer – definitely noticed the blueberry influence.
“Always the funky favorite at any outdoor beer festival, SweetWater Blue is a unique light-bodied ale with a hint of fresh blueberries. It begins with an appealing blueberry aroma and finishes as a surprisingly thirst-quenching ale. Note – 4.9% ABV”
SweetWater Road Trip – enough hop spike to distinguish itself from other Pilsners!
“Bikini Season – a fiery Pilsner fermented at ale temperatures for a fuller flavor, capped by and intense spicy-hop finish. Nobody Rides for Free. Note – 5.2% ABV
SweetWater Happy Ending Imperial Stout – as companion says, “Hello, Betty!” - wow, an amazing full-bodied stout – smooth and sweet. This will become one of my addictions!
“This seasonal “Catch and Release” Imperial Stout is a dry hopped stiffy, leading to an explosive finish at 9% ABV that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
I had ordered a Flight of these four and since Northstar's Flights include five selections, owner Kris suggested I add the Bell 's Brewery Two Hearted Ale described on Bell's website:
“Two Hearted Ale is defined by its intense hop aroma and malt balance. Hopped exclusively with the Centennial hop varietal from the Pacific Northwest, massive additions in the kettle and again in the fermenter lend their characteristic grapefruit and pine resin aromas. A significant malt body balances this hop presence; together with the signature fruity aromas of Bell's house yeast, this leads to a remarkably drinkable American-style India Pale Ale.” - 7.0% ABV
Well-balanced with a healthy hop jolt and smooth citrusy taste, I really like this popular ale.
Although an impressive menu exists at Northstar, we had previously eaten dinner at home, so hunger had not yet materialized. During a previous visit, not related to Jax Brew Bitch, we had some of their pizza which was simply constructed and delicious.
Stu further enlightened me by telling me about the upcoming SweetWater 420 Fest (Apr 20-22) in Atlanta! … great music, great beers, food (with VIP passes) – what else do you need? … we have friends who live in the area, so that would make for cheap accommodations!
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| Kris serving up 3 Olive Loopy Vodka |
Northstar owners Kris and Andrea were kind enough to also offer a quick sample of Three Olives Loopy Vodka – which tasted just like the Froot Loops cereal – well, almost – if Froot Loops had tasted (and kicked) like Loopy, breakfast would have been my “favoritest” meal in my youth!
If planning a visit to Northstar, you can possibly find parking in the few spots on Bay Street in front of the building they are in – by arriving early or being lucky. Failing that, there are other parking lots and spaces sprinkled about downtown (some free – some pay spots), not too far away.
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| Samplin' |
On Fridays, the Improv group Mad Cowford appears there at Northstar. By the way, Mad Cowford will be appearing in Comedy for Critters at the Hotel Indigo at Tapestry Park on April 28. Please visit their website below to learn more about the group and the event!
Thanks to Stuart Brown of SweetWater, Andrea and Kris of Northstar for providing another memorable Jax Brew Bitch experience!
http://www.facebook.com/sweetwaterbrew
http://madcowford.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Northstarpizzabar
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| Gentry, The JBB & Scott |
Amazed how the time had flown by inside Northstar, I realized it was going to be a challenge making it to Engine 15 Brewing Company (1500 Beach Boulevard – Jax Beach – 904.249.BEER) in time for the special craft brew and food pairing - Oak-Aged Simcoe Imperial IPA paired with steam burger sliders and coconut rice for $10. (this price included the brew!)
Wishing for a Inter-Galactic Quantum Teleporter the whole way over to Engine 15, we finally arrived only to learn that all sliders and Oak-Aged Simcoe Imperial IPA had already been consumed. Groans ensued. Companion dripped tears.
The bearer of the bad news was none other than Scott Russell of North Florida Sales! … after confirming I would not shoot the messenger, Scott introduced me to Gentry, for whom Scott said he works. Consoling us for missing out, we had a long discussion with them about the beer community in Jacksonville and their plans for the future.
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| The Tootsie Roll & Lost Coast Brewery's |
While speaking with Scott, he asked if I had tried a “Tootsie Roll” - a 50/50 mix of Kasteel Rouge and Southern Tier Brewing Company's Choklat Imperial Stout! … no, I said and he quickly produced one for me. Let me just say Scott was my hero for the night! … this amazing concoction will please all those who have an affinity for chocolate and impress those who regularly enjoy the Kasteel Rouge.
Southern Tier describes their Choklat:
“The Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Maya, unfolds a complex web of mystery around a beverage known as xocoatl (ch-co-atle). At Southern Tier, we’re not surprised that hieroglyphs of the ancient Maya depict chocolate being poured for rulers and gods. Even through the many voyages of Columbus, the mystical bean remained nothing more than a strange currency of the native peoples
Moving through centuries, the circular journey of cacao has been realized in our brew house, encompassing the complexity of the darkest, bittersweet candy together with the original frothy cold beverage of the ancient Maya to bring to you our Blackwater Series Choklat Stout. We have combined the finest ingredients to tempt your senses and renew the power and interrelation of history in every bottle.
FOOD PAIRINGS: Particularly tasty with mint truffles, mascarpone cheese (canoli), angelfood cake. Enjoy alone, or as a float with a scoop of organic vanilla bean ice cream. Note: 10.0% ABV”
As noted in earlier posts, the Kasteel Rouge is described:
“Castle Red is the fruit beer of the Castle range. Its unique dark red colour is obtained by mixing Castle brown that has been left to mature for at least 6 months with sour cherries. This beer has gastronomic qualities and can be drunk as an aperitif, with a BBQ, to accompany a dessert or simply as an outstanding real ale.“
Companion had selected Lost Coast Brewery's Downtown Brown Light Brown Ale, described on their website:
“A smooth, full-bodied nut brown ale, lightly hopped with a hint of roasted and crystal malts. This ale is dark in color without the heavy taste of porter or stout. - Note: 5.0% ABV” - I took a few sips and it was mild but tasty – another good choice for a quick grab out of the fridge.
Thanks to Scott and Gentry from North Florida Sales for assuaging our disappointment in missing the special pairing and to Engine 15 for continuing to deliver the types of events Jacksonvillians enjoy!
We were NOT going to end this Prowl on a missed event, so companion suggested we head on over to Green Room Brewing (228 3rd Street North – Jax Beach – 904.201.9283).
Scott and Gentry joined us there and soon companion and I were enjoying two of Green Room's finely crafted beers:
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| Christina serving up Undertow Orange Blossom Barleywine & The Contraption |
The Contraption Double IPA – a joint creation by Intuition Ale Works and Mellow Mushroom described on Intuition's website:
“A bold and hearty collaboration brew crafted with our fellow hopheads at Mellow Mushroom.” - Delicious and hoppy!
Undertow Orange Blossom Barleywine – malty with unmistakable citrus influence – 9.5% ABV
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| Jason, the JBB & Scott |
Green Room is so comfortable – I wished we lived closer. Jason and Christina were engaged, personable and ever so efficient! … I didn't want to leave but it was late and I assume Jason and Christina DO have to go home to their respective spouses and live outside the brewery sometime … right? … well, you'd think they'd have to … right? … honestly, if I worked there, companion would possibly have to drag me out of there ...
Thanks to Jason and Christina at the Green Room for being the perfect hosts and to Scott and Gentry from North Florida Sales for being such great companions during this “fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants” Jax Brew Bitch evening!
Hunger was now front and center on my control screen and I needed something to particle-beam-blast it to pieces. The late hour dictated most probably a chain establishment. What's that yellow sign up ahead? … a Waffle House! (334 Beach Blvd – Jax Beach).
Although I have found some Waffle House locations to have rather surly staff, this one was definitely not in this category. The staff was very pleasant, efficient and professional.
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| The Waffle Burger |
Companion ordered their All Star Special which includes a waffle he never eats – he gets that for me! … I wasn't in the mood for breakfast (yet), so I chose an Angus burger. Once the food arrived, companion's meal became very “interesting” to me. He yielded one of his two sausage patties and a bite (or two) of his hash browns.
I was only about half finished with the burger when he pushed his plate away, the sole remaining portion being that warm, thick waffle on its own plate. Knowing it always has my name on it, I pulled it closer and poured some syrup over it – and then – AHAH! … an inspiration! … a Waffle-Burger! … I wrapped that Angus burger with the waffle - and continued to eat.
This enlightened moment MUST have been wrought by my innate sense of good food pairings ….. well, okay … MAYBE it was conceived by the amount of fine brews I had sampled throughout the evening – you be the judge … regardless of your leaning though, it was delicious!
I couldn't finish it – as companion says, I was “full as a tick”, but I never waste food. The courteous staff at Waffle House provided a to-go box for the leftovers. As I made my way outside, I sadly realized that this was indeed the end of an eventful Jax Brew Bitch Prowl.
Positioning myself in the Jeep and making sure I was securely buckled, I settled in for the drive back home. I knew that due to the steady hum and vibration of the Jeep, I would soon fall asleep. Hey! - I had done a very respectable Jax-Brew-Bitch-job of sampling brews and chews during the evening!
I took a quick, sleepy, admiring glance over at companion as he dutifully steered the vehicle westward and I realized the next three days would present a significant number of beer-related activities for us. With his work schedule and the wide geographic area we would be crisscrossing, I hoped he was up to the significant tasks which lay ahead.
Closing my eyes for the hyper-sleep period of the return voyage, I softly whispered to him, “... May The Force be with you, Obi-Wan Companion, may The Force be with you ...”
To view more photos, visit the link blow ...
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