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| *le sigh - better luck next time! |
Great news came my way on Thursday (April 26) from Scott
Russell of North Florida Sales! … He was offering me two tickets to the Folio
Weekly Beer & Music Fest at the Moroccan Shrine! …. WooHoo! …
Since Scott was out of town dealing with the loss of a family
member, I would have understood if he had not been able to make this happen.
But even being out of town, Scott called me and asked if I would mind going by
his office to pick them up (and two for Springfield Brew Crew’s, Marc Wisdom).
I was honored that he took the time to make sure we all received the tickets
during a difficult time for Scott.
We needed to get to North Florida Sales by 5:00 pm, so we
had to get an early start. Thanks to “Maggie” our trusty and dependable GPS, we
had little trouble finding the place. As we drove into their parking lot, I
noticed they had a statue of a Budweiser Clydesdale horse on a pedestal in a
landscaped island in the middle – the PERFECT photo op for the Jax Brew Bitch!
After obtaining the tickets at the front desk – and, of
course, posing under the Clydesdale, I had a “scathingly brilliant idea”! … we
should go enjoy a beer somewhere by the beaches since we were already over
halfway there. The only trouble THIS angel was having was deciding exactly
where would be the BBB (best brew bar) to visit. So many were the choices!
I knew Green Room Brewing had two things I wanted to try –
The Void Black IPA and the ZIPA Zythos IPA … but I also realized that it was
Happy Hour at Brix … Ah, decisions are indeed the hinges of destiny (nod to
Pythagoras) … companion had an
enlightened suggestion which solved my dilemma– why not do both?
So, Green Room Brewing (228 3rd
Street North – Jax Beach – 904.201.9283) became our first stop of the evening.
As we entered, we noticed Christina and Jason, the Tap Room Manager behind the
bar - I am always glad to see these two! … They both make our visits to Green
Room Brewing very enjoyable. I always learn something new about the beaches
area – and beer – during my discussions with them. They are delightful in their
service to Green Room customers and quite agile and effective on busy nights!
Although there was an impressive selection of beer
available, I had my “beer glands” set for The Void Black IPA and the ZIPA
Zythos IPA.
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| Void Black IPA & the ZIPA, Zythos IPA |
The smaller crowd gathered was due to it being late
afternoon / early evening, so we soon had our beers in hand. While enjoying
both of these tasty beverages, owner Eric Luman made his appearance and I was
pleased he was gracious enough to come over and say hello, He explained that
The Void Black IPA had everything in a stout but the coffee influence – and a
healthy addition of hops! … the “jolt” I crave in an IPA is certainly there!
The Zythos IPA (ZIPA) is made with a certain company's
proprietary hop blend. This premium pellet blend adds citrus, pine, floral,
grapefruit and tangerine notes to this IPA. My taste buds experienced what I
felt was a delicious grapefruit and floral mix.
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| The Matamata by Cigar City and Swamp Head Brewery |
Eric went on to inform us Green Room had just tapped a
collaboration between Green Room Brewing, Cigar City Brewing and Swamp Head
Brewery, named Matamata, a new Zealand bitter clocking in at 4.8% ABV. We were
provided a sample and it was nice on the palate – and not too “in your face” at
4.8% ABV.
Wishing to take advantage of the aforementioned Happy Hour,
we bid farewell to Christina and Jason, quite satisfied with the beer
selections we made that day.
Thanks to Christina, Jason and Eric for their consistently
excellent service and for making us feel welcome every time we come in! … also,
my appreciation for maintaining the comfortable atmosphere and quality brews
which made this visit to Green Room Brewing an enjoyable Jax Brew Bitch
experience!
Although Brix Taphouse (300 2nd Street North –
Jax Beach – 904.241.4668) is situated directly across 3rd Street
from Green Room Brewing, a median prevented companion from driving straight
across. (Silly companion – that would never stop me!) … he drove us
south to a median opening and triangulated us into a parking spot near the
front door of Brix … isn't that akin to another Pythagorean principle? –
something to do with geometry? … like the sum of the squares of the sides? …
(yes, I wanted to say “thingy”) … well, all I knew I was going to take my
BACK-side and sit it squarely into one of the comfy stools at the impressive
bar inside Brix Taphouse!
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| Grady working hard at Brix |
Grady and Gina were behind the bar and I must say, these two
made this visit spectacular. Grady works the day shift as the friendly and
effective Manager of Brix Taphouse and has leeway to select half of the
impressive array of beer available on tap. Gina was a sincerely warm and
gracious bartender quite handy at slinging brews and the multitude of liquor
selections housed behind the bar.
Grady took the time to describe several of the available
drafts, each one with tantalizing detail. Grady knows his stuff – and how to
treat his customers!
We selected and shared the following tasty brews (descriptions
per breweries' websites):
Lagunitas Brewing Company's Cappuccino Stout
“Big, Dark and Scary Imperial-esque Stout Brewed With
Plenty of Dark Malts and Roast Barley And Loads of Sebastopol’s Hardcore Coffee
for Deep Roasty Flavors and that Extra Krunk.
Note: 9.2% ABV”
Note: 9.2% ABV”
JBB Notes: Yes sir, that's my baby! … Cappuccino and Stout?
… are you kidding? … an instant JBB fave!
Huyghe Brewery's Delerium Tremens
“Alcohol volume: 8.5% ABV
Colour and sight: pale blond, the fine and regular effervesce ensures a fine and stable head.
Scent: Slightly malty, a nice touch of alcohol, spicy.
Flavour: Feels like the sound shot of alcohol is igniting the mouth. In reality the tongue and palate are warmed. The taste is characterized by its roundness. The aftertaste is strong, long-lasting and dry bitter.”
Colour and sight: pale blond, the fine and regular effervesce ensures a fine and stable head.
Scent: Slightly malty, a nice touch of alcohol, spicy.
Flavour: Feels like the sound shot of alcohol is igniting the mouth. In reality the tongue and palate are warmed. The taste is characterized by its roundness. The aftertaste is strong, long-lasting and dry bitter.”
JBB Notes: This one will come up from behind and surprise
you! … a little “tingly in the mouth” … if you like this type of brew, you
can't go wrong getting DTs.
Swamp Head Brewery's Stumpknocker Pale Ale
“Stump Knocker Pale Ale got its name from the
notoriously feisty Stumpknocker fish that will at times make you think you have
hooked into the lunker. True to form, this refreshing Pale Ale remains very
smooth and drinkable while maintaining the same hop headed attitude as the
biggest boy in the pond.
Stump Knocker features late flavor aroma hops,
augmented with two dry hop additions to enhance the aromatics. These techniques
produce a hop-centered ale with a crisp, balanced finish that will recharge
your palate!”
JBB Notes: Solid Pale Ale participant – good summer beer –
slight hop essence.
We also sampled:
Boulder Beer Company's Mojo Risin' Double IPA
“Mojo Risin' Double IPA is a souped up extreme version of
Mojo IPA. Brewed with more than a half-ton extra malt and twice the amount of
hops – then double-dry-hopped with Amarillo hops for added intensity,
Note: 10% ABV, Amarillo and Centennial hops”
JBB Notes: WOW! … good hop jolt I love – full bodied – a
definite future buy for JBB
Cigar City Brewing's Hotter Than Helles Lager
“Our Munich Lager is a nod to the thirst quenching lagers
of Germany. Our Helles has a sweet malt expression that is balanced by floral
bitterness from the use of German Hallertaur Mittelfruh hops. A very refreshing
beer that will also entice you by its subtle complexity and drinkability. Note:
5% ABV”
JBB Notes: I'm not a big fan of lagers but I could tell this
one had exceptional flavor – a major step up from your normal lager.
While enjoying our brews, companion excused himself and
promptly returned with a look of concern on his face. He suggested I venture
over near the restrooms (very clean and well-supplied, by the way) and look at
the poster announcing Cinco de Larry-O, an event sponsored by Brix Taphouse to
benefit an ill brother of the owners. As I was reading the poster (and trying
to hold back some tears), owner Nanci approached and offered more detail about
the upcoming event. In our first conversation, I could tell Nanci is a genuine
individual with a heart as big as her bar. She is the type of owner that makes
me motivated to frequent her establishment more often.
What a great experience! … Gina, Grady and Nancy are simply
top-notch … the absolute best and I was bewildered when I checked my watch.
GAD! … look at the time!
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| Lagunita's Cappuccino Stout and the Delerium Tremens |
Time is the soul of this world - I do believe clocks are
sensitive to the mood of a room and are in constant battle with mortals,
wishing to inflict sadness and boredom as often as possible into their nemeses'
lives. If you are waiting for something (boiling of an egg, graduation, the
next tapped beer at your favorite brewery), the markers of time slow down to
make it even more aggravating and boring. If you are doing something fun (eating
a fine meal, graduation day, enjoying the most recently tapped beer), the
clocks speed up, minimizing your enjoyment and thus bringing on a period of
sadness. (I'll call this my BrewBitchagorean Theory). Sadly, the clocks
had conspired to make us call an end to the evening's fun activities. Mustering
all of our strength to leave Brix Taphouse, we said goodbye to Grady, Gina and
Nanci and thanked them for their superior service.
Settling in the Jeep and preparing myself for a snooze
during the long traverse home, I asked companion if Pythagoras was the man who
said he had a “golden thigh”. Although he is quite adept at the geometric
calculations, companion obviously has no knowledge about the man himself – my
clue being how he was looking at me like I had Samian lizards crawling all over
my face. I informed him that I had heard the philosopher had indeed made that
assertion, odd though it sounds in my ignorance of its meaning or background.
As I snuggled into my seat for my nap, I made a mental note to do some more
research in the future about this fascinating man Pythagoras – I CERTAINLY want
some of what HE was drinkin'.
My heartfelt appreciation to Grady, Gina and Nanci for
providing the venue and amazing selection of fine brews making Brix Taphouse the
perfect setting in which to end this Jax Brew Bitch Prowl!
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