Beer Sharing, Good Eats and Bold Toe-Tapping Tunes

Saturday gathering at Green Room Brewing. Open to all

If “craft beer” is a focal point for you – regardless of the amount of craft beer you have tasted, you are invited to participate in the Bottle Sharing get-togethers at Green Room Brewing on Saturdays – usually at 2:00 pm.

There is no cost for attending.

We DO ask you:

a) bring a bomber or two smaller bottles of craft beer

b) bring your favorite tasting glass (if you forget, we'll have cups for you);

c) be willing to buy a pint of something from Green Room, the owners of which are kind enough to provide the space for all of us to enjoy good beer and fellowship.

For those of you who have never attended a Bottle Sharing get-together:

The craft beer you bring does NOT have to be expensive – just something you like or want to try and share with the group. If you are uncertain as to what to bring, just ask the helpful and knowledgeable at Broudy's Liquors, Beer:30, Grassroots Natural Market, Total Wine, ABC Liquors or any other establishment which sells bottles (or cans) of craft beer.

We only request you not bring the mass-produced national brands like Bud, Miller, Coors, etc. Nothing particularly wrong with those – we just focus on tasty creations from the myriad of microbreweries springing up all over the country.

Feel free to bring something to eat – or you can have food delivered at Green Room Brewery.

Offerings to the Beer Gods

I maintain a database of e-mail addresses of those wishing to be kept informed of the next Bottle Sharing get-together since some days we may decide not to hold the Sharing or alter the time. If you are interested, please send me a note with your e-mail address to regina@jaxbrewbitch.com and you'll be “in the know'!

The Bottle Sharing of Saturday, January 12 was well-attended at Green Room and there was a LOAD of beer there!

Companion and I ordered the following from Green Room's tantalizing brew menu to start the afternoon:

Count Shakula Chocolate Oatmeal Stout – yummers! … tastes like a bowl of the you-know-what cereal – except with a kick!

White Devil IPA - The White Devil I.P.A. is 6.66% ABV and 66.6 IBU's. A collaboration with Green Room Brewing and Cigar City Brewing. Brewed with Lactose, Wheat, Rye, Florida Orange & Grapefruit peels, grains of paradise, coriander and orange blossom honey. Fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. 

Homebrewer & Craft Beer Lover, Chris Kozak

This laid down our “base” for the beer which we would be tasting well into the evening … here is what I brought to share (please keep in mind I bring too much – again, a good amount to bring is one bomber or two smaller bottles)

Butternut's Brewery Moo Thunder Stout (you gotta see this brewery's website!)

This stout beer pays tribute to the Butternuts Brewery's former life as a dairy farm. It's a more drinkable version of the Stout breed than its heavy, boorish and smelly European sisters. We use lactose sugar for body and mouthfeel; not too strong, not too viscous at 4.9% abv. Unlike a true bovine it has a malty, roasty aroma and a dry finish but no tail or teats, and leaves no unsightly cow pies laying around the yard for you to step in.

Long Trail Brewing Company Imperial Porter

Long Trail Imperial Porter features a complex, darkly roasted malt flavor complemented by a thin, creamy head. The abundance of malt is balanced with a variety of hops, creating a clean finish. The recipe has been a homebrew secret that was developed by one of our own brewers. We are proud to present Long Trail Imperial Porter...ENJOY! … Note: 8.3% ABV & 56 IBUs

Malts: 2-Row, Cara Munich, Caramel 80L, Wheat, Roasted Barley, and Chocolate
Hops: Nugget, Centennial, Simcoe, and Amarillo

Uinta Brewing Company Crooked Line Detour Double IPA

Detour blazes the trail for fresh and bold Double IPAs. Four varieties of hops combine to step up the flavor profile. A hoppy adventure that finishes dry. Big in alcohol and character. Venture to pair with other spirited flavors such as those found in spicy ethnic foods. Note: 9.5% ABV & 74 IBUs

http://www.crookedlinebeers.com/Detour.html

St. Arnold Brewing Company Christmas Ale

This was the first seasonal we made. There has long been a tradition amongst brewers for making a special beer for the holidays. We decided on an old ale. The definition of this style has changed over the years. When we use the term, we use the old definition which describes big, malty, rich beers as they brewed in the olden days (as in a couple of hundred years ago--those olden days). Thus the name. (Today this name often implies a big beer that has been aged.)

We use five different types of malted barley in the Christmas Ale, no other grains or cereals such as corn or rice. The large quantity of malts is responsible for the sweetness and high alcohol content. Also, we use two different Pacific Northwest hop varieties in the Christmas Ale. The resulting hop character is a spicy bitterness and a flowery hop bouquet.  Note: 7.0& ABV & 35 IBUs

Lonerider – Ales for Outlaws – Shotgun Betty Hefeweizen

Shotgun Betty is a sexy, tough cowgirl who is always armed and dangerous. Don’t be fooled by her good looks, she will have you for an appetizer! That’s why we picked her to represent our Hefeweizen. Shotgun Betty is a wheat beer with rich, banana-clove nose and refreshing dry finish. Sound good? Try one. But beware, once Betty gets a hold of you there is no escape. Note: 8% ABV

Big Boss Brewing Company Hell's Belle Belgian Pale Ale

Hell's Belle is a subtle but complex ale that is meant to be a showcase for our favorite Belgian yeast and beautiful Belgian malts. These elements produce a clean, spicy citrus finish. Hell's Belle remains light and refreshing but still packs a 7% finish. Enjoy with creamy pasta dishes, spicy foods like Indian & Thai dishes. Note: 7.0% ABV & 30 IBUs

Natty Greene Red Nose Winter Ale

Our 4th quarter seasonal. Full-bodied winter warmer with a rich, dark malt body spiced with cinnamon, ginger and orange peel for festive flavor. Munich 2, Pale Wheat, Cara Munich 3, CaraHell, Chocolate and Melanoidin – Magnum hops. Note: 6.8% & 21 IBUs

I was pleased to see Robin Bennett who is typically at the Bottle Sharing at Brewer's Pizza on Sunday join us! … friend, beer lover and talented homebrewer Jackson had dropped him off at Green Room in hopes we could give Robin a ride back to Brewer's Pizza later in the day … no problem!

Please refer to the photos to see the awesome beer shared by others at this Bottle Sharing get-together!

Come on – why don't YOU join us at an upcoming Green Room Brewing Bottle Sharing get-together in the very near future!

Butternuts Brewery

http://www.butternutsbeerandale.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ButternutsBeerandAle

Long Trail Brewing Company

http://www.longtrail.com/Verify.aspx?returnUrl=%2f

https://www.facebook.com/longtrailbrewingco?fref=ts

Uinta Brewing Company

http://www.uintabrewing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uinta-Brewing/136640885735?fref=ts

St. Arnold Brewing Company

http://www.saintarnold.com/

https://www.facebook.com/saintarnold

Lonerider – Ales for Outlaws

http://www.loneriderbeer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/loneriderbeer?fref=ts

Big Boss Brewing Company

http://bigbossbrewing.com/age-verification.aspx?returnTo=%2f

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Boss-Brewery/177203328692?fref=ts

Natty Greene's Brewing Company

http://www.nattygreenes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NattyGreenesGreensboro

https://www.facebook.com/NattyGreenesRaleigh

As we did last Saturday, we ventured over to Sierra Grille (331 Marsh Landing Parkway – Jacksonville Beach – 904.296.0214) across the parking lot from Broudy's Liquors. Ian Albahae and Robin both accompanied us there, their first visit to this restaurant.

Companion looked over the significant menu and decided he would have:

Sierra Chicken Platter - Sierra Grille

Sierra Chicken Platter – served with rice, beans, salad and salsa bar - $8.25 – an amazing value!

and once again, I selected:

Surf & Turf Grilled Burrito - steak and shrimp blended cheese, lettuce, tomato, ranch - $7.95 – delicious!

The salsa bar is quite impressive – there are a significant number of salsas to choose from including a pineapple salsa with cilantro. On top of that, they have cherry peppers … I love cherry peppers!

Surf & Turf Grilled Burrito - Sierra Grille

My sincere thanks to the staff at Sierra Grille for providing some stellar food and a unique alternative – the perfect combo for inclusion into future Jax Brew Bitch Prowls.

Sierra Grille

http://www.sierragrillesouth.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SierraGrilleJaxBeach

We bid farewell to Ian and headed back toward Brewer's Pizza with Robin. Once we dropped him off, companion and I made tracks over to Bold City Brewery (2670 Rosselle St  - 904.379-6551) for the release party of their delectable Smoky Porter!

The Bold City parking lot was packed when we arrived but companion dropped me off near the door and finally found a spot in the rear.

We had to try the Smoky Porter, of course – described on the brewery's website:

Bold City Brewery Smoky Porter

Bold City's winter seasonal. Very bold, robust porter with a nice hint of smokiness.

Bold City's Smokey Porter with a little
Firewater Tent Revival

Firewater Tent Revival was providing live music that evening, so companion and I selected two seats in front of the band. What a talented group! … be sure to follow them on their Facebook page and catch them for one of the their performances in the near future! … also, check them out on YouTube when you can!

The whole day went so quickly and since I had been up early that day, we said goodbye to the wonderful team and family at Bold City Brewery – who I thank wholeheartedly for providing a perfect venue to end this special Saturday-Bottle-Sharing Jax Brew Bitch Prowl.

Bold City Brewery (2670 Rosselle St  - 904.379-6551)

http://www.boldcitybrewery.com/index.php

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bold-City-Brewery/54391921191?ref=ts

Firewater Tent Revival

https://www.facebook.com/thefirewatertentrevival

Saturday Bottle Sharing blast! Beers, giggles and burritos

If “craft beer” is a focal point for you – regardless of the amount of craft beer you have tasted, you are invited to participate in the Bottle Sharing get-togethers at Green Room Brewing on Saturdays – usually at 2:00 pm and at Brewer's Pizza on Sundays, also starting at 2:00 pm.

There is no cost for attending.

We DO ask you:

a) bring a bomber or two smaller bottles of craft beer

b) bring your favorite tasting glass (if you forget, we'll have cups for you);

c) be willing to buy a pint of something from Green Room, the owners of which are kind enough to provide the space for all of us to enjoy good beer and fellowship.

For those of you who have never attended a Bottle Sharing get-together:

The craft beer you bring does NOT have to be expensive – just something you like or want to try and share with the group. If you are uncertain as to what to bring, just ask the helpful folks at Beer:30, Grassroots Natural Market, Total Wine, Broudy's or any other establishment which sells bottles (or cans) of craft beer.

We only request you not bring the mass-produced national brands like Bud, Miller, Coors, etc. Nothing particularly wrong with those – we just focus on tasty creations from the myriad of microbreweries springing up all over the country.

I maintain a database of e-mail addresses of those wishing to be kept informed of the next Bottle Sharing get-together since some days we may decide not to hold the Sharing or alter the time. If you are interested, please send me a note with your e-mail address and you'll be “in the know'!

Today, companion and I ordered the following from Green Room's tantalizing brew menu to start the afternoon:

Count Shakula Chocolate Oatmeal Stout – yummers! … tastes like a bowl of the you-know-what cereal – except with a kick!

Z.I.P.A. - Green Room's all Zythos-hopped IPA! … so good to taste this again!

This laid down our “base” for the beer which we would be tasting well into the evening …

I tend to go overboard … what? … what do you mean, “That's an understatement”? … I just wholly embrace that which interests me … quit rollin' your eyes …

Anyway, at the risk of being judged as “going overboard”, yesterday I took the following to share with my fellow Bottle Sharers (descriptions per breweries' websites):

Bayou Teche Brewing LA 31 Biere Noire – Dark Roasted Ale

On our grandparents’ farm, our grandmother would brew a grègue of café noir every morning for our grandfather’s pre-dawn breakfast. At the end of each week, after the obligatory Sunday dinner, she would brew numerous pots of it. Each and every one of the adults would then sip demitasses of the strong black coffee, laughing loudly and speaking French even louder.

We wanted to create a beer that paid homage to what café noir meant to our French speaking ancestors. Café noir was more than a cup of coffee – its presence conveyed love and appreciation, and expressed a cheerful welcome.

We use specially roasted German malts and select American hops which provide our LA-31 Bière Noire a small bite of noble bitterness and a dry, French roasted coffee flavor. It goes great with grilled steaks, hamburgers, or sausage po-boys, any spicy blackened Cajun dish, or a dinner table surrounded by those you most cherish.

À votre santé.

Bayou Teche Brewing LA 31 Boucanee – Smoked Wheat Ale

Late June every year, Cajun and Creole men would chop down some of the native wild cherry trees that were abundant on the fence lines of their farms. They could then easily harvest the small cherries which their wives would then use to make cherry bounce. Our grandmothers would steep these small cherries with sugar and bourbon and let them rest in large Mason jars in a cool dark place. The jars would sit there until the holidays, when they would be shared with visiting guests.

The men knew the wood from the tree was also excellent for smoking meat. It gave the smoked food a distinctive sweet cherry taste. The logs from the felled tree would be saved near the farm’s smokehouse for use throughout the year.

Smoked meat is incredibly important to Louisiana cooking. Andouille, tasso, and smoked pork sausage are used to flavor so many of Acadiana’s signature dishes.

LA-31 Boucanèe is our acknowledgment of the importance of the wild cherry tree to south Louisiana. Using cherry-wood smoked wheat we craft a surprisingly delicious and unique ale. A cold glass of Boucanèe enhances the taste of many local dishes, whether smoked or not.  At our brewery, we enjoy pairing it with chicken and sausage gumbo, barbeque, sausage po-boys, and grilled hamburgers. We can no longer even look at a link of boudin without instinctively opening a cold bottle.

Sixpoint Brewing Company – Diesel

This undefinable black brew is part black IPA, part American Stout, but 100% Diesel powered. Robust chocolate and roasted flavors, with thick pine hop flavor and aroma. Note: 6.3% ABV & 69 IBUs

Aviator Brewing Company - Devilstramping Ground Tripel

A hearty Tripel Belgian ale. This Tripel ale will grow hair in places you don't want. Our Tripel is a golden colored ale that has a fruity spicy flavor that finishes a bit sweet. The Devil's Tripel is light tasting from the addition of candy sugar. We add just the right amount of hops to balance out the sweetness. Note: 9.2% ABV & 31 IBUs

New England Brewing Company – 668 – the Neighbor of the Beat Belgian Style Golden Ale

Good fences make good neighbors” … unless you live next door to Satan. Then you may need something more  than a fence to accept that your neighbor is the Prince of Darkness; like our “668”. this HELLaciously delicious Belgian Ale is brewed with pilsner malts, candi sugar and blended with American and German hops.It will help you accept that cloven-hooved guy next door. “668”; mortal tested; Goat Load approved. Note: 9.0% ABV

Cottrell Brewing Company Perry's Revenge Ale – unfortunately, something happened to this one in the bottle. I had it on tap at Cottrell Brewing Company (Pawcatuck, Connecticut) in December and it was delicious. Opening the can, the bad funk almost knocked us all to our knees and it tasted gross – ended up dumping half a bottle.

A Scotch Ale, malty and complex mahogany colored with hints of chocolate. To commemorate the historic find by Cottrell Brewer, diver and discover Charlie Buffum of the wreck of the USS Revenge off the coast of Watch Hill Rhode Island. Last seen in 1811, the USS Revenge was Oliver Hazard Perry’s first Naval Command before his famous victory in the battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Perry’s Revenge is a discovery you will wish to make with friends. Summon to mind the mystery of things long lost in the darkness of the ocean bottom.

City Steam Brewery (Hartford CT) Innocence Ale (IPA)

Be forewarned: One too many of these babies and you'll be seeing double! This traditional IPA is anything but what the name suggests. Bookended between a lush abundance of sweet malt and bitter hops, this fine American INDIA PALE ALE is made for (and approved by) serious beer drinkers! Our third and most recent bottled offering, it is available in stores throughout Connecticut. Brewed to a gravity of 18 Plato, it boasts an international menagerie of expensive hops, including CTZ, Zythos, East Kent Goldings, and, oddly enough, Czech Sazz. Our Brewmaster sazz you need to come in for a taste.

Founders Brewing Company Dirty Bastard Scotch Style Ale

So good it’s almost wrong. Dark ruby in color and brewed with seven varieties of imported malts. Complex in finish, with hints of smoke and peat, paired with a malty richness and a right hook of hop power to give it the bad attitude that a beer named Dirty Bastard has to live up to. Ain’t for the wee lads. Note: 8.5% & 50 IBUs

Mikkeller Brewery Santa's Little Helper Belgian Strong Ale

Another incredible creation from the talented folks from that famous brewery in Copenhagen! … Belgian yeast, molasses and a slight hint of coffee – Note: 10.50% ABV

Please refer to the photos to see the awesome beer shared by others at this Bottle Sharing get-together!

I was so happy to see Ed and Beth Stansel, Mark and Kathy Corbin, Justin, Nora, Brian and Mike in attendance at yesterday's Bottle Sharing! … plus, an amazing young couple (who homebrew!) joined us for the first time – Bob and Jenny!

Stay tuned to find out what Ed Stansel will be brewing soon and available at various locations around the community!

Come on – why don't YOU join us at an upcoming Green Room Brewing Bottle Sharing get-together in the very near future!

Bayou Teche Brewing

http://bayoutechebrewing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bayoutechebrewing

Sixpoint Brewery

http://sixpoint.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sixpoint

Aviator Brewing Company

http://www.aviatorbrew.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AviatorBrewing

New England Brewing Company

http://www.newenglandbrewing.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-England-Brewing-Co/58798029455

Cottrell Brewing Company

http://www.cottrellbrewing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CottrellBrewingCo

City Steam Brewery Cafe

http://www.citysteambrewerycafe.com/

https://www.facebook.com/citysteambrewery?ref=ts&fref=ts

Founders Brewing Company

http://foundersbrewing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/foundersbrewingofficial?fref=ts

Mikkeller Brewery

http://mikkeller.dk/#

https://www.facebook.com/mikkeller

While getting myself together to leave Green Room, companion and Bob (of Bob and Jenny fame as noted above) had been discussing blood alcohol levels and appropriately decided we would meet at Sierra Grille (331 Marsh Landing Parkway – Jacksonville Beach – 904.296.0214) across the parking lot from Broudy's Liquors.

After filling the Jeep with motion-lotion, we arrived not long after Bob and Jenny had. This was our first visit to Sierra Grille and I was excited to try it!

I told companion to select something “magical” for me and he ended up selecting two styles of Grilled Burritos:

Fajita Burrita - steak, chicken or shrimp, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, grilled peppers and onions with fresh pico de gallo salsa

and

Surf & Turf - steak and shrimp blended cheese, lettuce, tomato, ranch – Bob has suggested this one!

I was rather impressed they had a salsa bar where there was a significant number of salsas to choose from including a pineapple salsa with cilantro. On top of that, they had cherry peppers … I love cherry peppers!

I loved both burritos – companion and I always share – but I think I will get the Surf & Turf burrito again upon my next visit – it was phenomenal!

After the meal, we bid farewell to our new friends Bob and Jenny and after a quick stop over at Broudy's, we pointed the Jeep westward toward home.

My sincere thanks to Bob and Jenny for attending the Bottle Sharing and for suggesting and accompanying us on our initial visit to Sierra Grille – and to the staff at Sierra Grille for providing some stellar food to end this very special “Bottle-Sharing-Saturday” Jax Brew Bitch Prowl.

Sierra Grille

https://www.facebook.com/SierraGrilleJaxBeach

Happy 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! … too cliché? … heard it enough already? 

Well, customs and traditions aside, what would make YOUR New Year truly “happy”?

I pondered that as companion and I marveled at the incompetency of Congress (both parties) the past few days. Definitely proves you can be smart AND an ineffective leader at the same time. I decided to put politicians out of my mind as they fumble along trying to decide which families will have their paychecks decreased in 2013 – and enjoy the season in spite of them – have my own Fiscal Cliff Party!

Seriously, I started thinking what would make my 2013 happy and jotted down a few things:

·         Aardwolf Pub & Brewery opening – a labor of love for Michael Payne and Preben Olsen – a great addition to the Jacksonville Brews & Chews scene

·         Sun Dog Brewing Co. – beginning to brew and sell their own creations

·         Bold City Brewing Company – an expansion of distribution up the East Coast and throughout Florida

·         Intuition Ale Works – success in locating an additional facility

·         Pinglehead Brewing Company – brewing another batch of something special with them

·         Engine 15 Brewing Company – me getting over there much more often for great beer and food

·         Green Room Brewing – success in being able to have food trucks out back

·         Mile Marker Brewing – brewing another batch of something with them, as well

·         Pensacola Bay Brewing Company – brewing a batch with them and starting a Bottle Sharing group there

·         Kickbacks Gastropub – completing its expansion

Well, you can see where my mind is … honest thoughts though, nonetheless …

If “craft beer” is a focal point for you, please stay tuned for updates regarding the items noted above – and keep in mind all are invited to participate in the Bottle Sharing get-togethers at Green Room Brewing on Saturdays (currently scheduled at 2:00 pm) and at Brewer's Pizza on Sundays (also currently scheduled at 2:00 pm).

There is no cost for attending – other than we ask you bring a bomber or two smaller bottles (or cans) of craft beer  and/ or homebrew AND be willing to buy a pint of something from Green Room  and Brewer's Pizza while you are there. The establishments are kind enough to provide the space and sampling glasses. The craft beer you bring does NOT have to be expensive – just something you like or want to try and share with the group.

I maintain a database of e-mail addresses of those wishing to be kept informed of the next Bottle Sharing get-together since some days we may decide not to hold the Sharing or alter the time. If you are interested, please send me a note with your e-mail address indicating which list (Green Room, Brewer's Pizza or both) you prefer to regina@jaxbrewbitch.com

I'm receiving notifications of upcoming beer events in 2013, so my 2013 is starting off very nicely – and I hope yours is, as well.

To all of you who may be reading, I thank you for the motivation you so kindly provide with your support. It certainly means a great deal to me – and I look forward to getting going in 2013 – self-indulgently on my Jax Brew Bitch Prowls - for YOU.

With nary a thought about the Congressional Record, I wish you all a very successful and Happy New Year!

Aardwolf Pub & Brewery (1461 Hendricks Avenue – Jacksonville in San Marco)

http://aardwolfbeer.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aardwolf-Brewery/219925481441627

Sun Dog Brewing Co. at Sawgrass (822 A1A North Suite 105 – Ponte Vedra – 904.307.0180)

http://sundogbrewpub.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sun-Dog-Brewing-Co-at-Sawgrass/456238211093629?fref=ts

Bold City Brewery (2670 Rosselle St  - 904.379-6551)

http://www.boldcitybrewery.com/index.php

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bold-City-Brewery/54391921191?ref=ts

Intuition Ale Works       (720 King Street – 904.683.7720)  

http://www.intuitionaleworks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IntuitionAle

Pinglehead Brewing Company

http://www.pinglehead.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Pinglehead

Engine 15 Brewing Company (1500 Beach Boulevard – Jax Beach – 904.249.2337)

http://www.engine15.com/home/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Engine-15-Brewing-Company/428033335437

Green Room Brewing (228 3rd Street North – Jax Beach - 904.201-9283)

http://www.greenroombrewing.com/

http://www.facebook.com/GreenRoomBrewing

Mile Marker Brewing (3420 Agricultural Center Drive – St. Augustine – 904.217.4294)

http://www.milemarkerbrewing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MileMarkerBrewing

Pensacola Bay Brewery (225 E. Zaragoza Street – Pensacola FL – 850.434.3353)

http://pbbrew.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pbbrew

Brewer's Pizza – (14B Blanding Blvd – Orange Park – 904.276.5159)

http://www.brewerspizza.com/home/

https://www.facebook.com/BrewersPizza

Kickbacks Gastropub    (910 King Street – 904.388.9551)

http://www.facebook.com/kickbacksgastropub

Cravitz part deux - Getting "BOLD" at Dahlia's Pour House, Billy's Boathouse Grill and Tsunami Tuesday

Pint Night at Dahlia's Pour House

Tuesday (July 24) would be the second leg of our marathon week of beer-related activities and once companion arrived home after work, we crawled into The Beast and pointed it toward Riverside..

Our first destination that evening was Dahlia's Pour House (2695 Post Street – 904.738.7132). It was Pint Night there featuring the creations by Bold City Brewery. Pint Night is very popular at Dahlia's – so get there early to be able to snag a pint glass or two!

TJ from Pele's and Robin and Jennifer from
Bold City Brewery

Entering, we were pleased to see Bobby behind the bar. Bobby and his partner, George own a production company (ReelFLA Productions) and just landed a significant national gig with Heineken!

Companion and I selected and shared the following Bold City beers while sitting at the bar:

Bold City Irish Red

Malty and just the right amount of bitter on the tail end.

Bold City Brewery Duke's Cold Nose Brown Ale

This is a mild brown ale which is easily drinkable. A slight nuttiness and sweetness are present.

I snagged that shirt! Mine!

Bold City Brewery 1901 Red Ale

This is not your standard Red Ale. This is a very ‘malty’, ‘roasty’ and complex Red Ale. The roasted flavor comes from the high presence of roasted barley. With a very minimal but high alpha hop addition, this Red Ale has become a favorite among patrons.

Bold City Brewery Chinook IPA

The Chinook IPA is brewed with a single hop variety. The Chinook hop gives this IPA a nice floral aroma and the addition of caramel malts adds a hint of sweetness.

Bold City Brewery E-St. Ale

An Amber Ale brewed specifically for European St. Cafe restaurants. It's known as their "Lamp Post Ale".

BCBTCB ... translation; Bold City Beauties
 taking care of business

Companion and I must have looked like glassware merchants as we left Dahlia's, balancing all of our pint glasses as we made our way back to The Beast.. We had other destinations that evening and needed to get on the road.

To view more photos from Dahlia's Pour House for Bold City Pint Night, please visit the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.336383976447218.79311.181100418642242&type=3

Dahlia's Pour House

http://www.dahliaspourhouse.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dahlias-Pour-House/312695632089849

Bold City Brewery 
http://www.boldcitybrewery.com/index.php

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bold-City-Brewery/54391921191?ref=ts

Our next stop was Billy's Boathouse (2321 Beach Blvd – Jacksonville Beach (904.241.9771).

I had heard and read of their Tuesday All-You-Can-Eat Tacos Special (aka Taco Night) and had been wanting to give that a try.

Since it was our first visit, we had a little trouble locating it using our GPS, but find it, we did. Being situated adjacent to Nipper's, the presence of the bridge over the Intracoastal blocks a direct view of the establishment.

We entered and after a minute or so were led to a table near the rear of the restaurant. The hostess said our server would be with us soon. She was wrong. After seven minutes had passed (we were timing it), the hostess re-appeared and said our server would be there momentarily. Wrong again. The place had very few patrons at that time, by the way.

I needed to “powder” and went downstairs to do so in a restroom obviously minimally maintained (companion later confirmed the mens' restroom was the same). When I returned to our table, there were two glasses of water there which had arrived ten minutes after we were seated. I asked companion if our server had taken our order and he responded that she hadn't – just dropped off the water, said she's return soon and quickly left.

Good lord – enough of the waiting  - and it was obvious the server was poorly trained and was well on the way of ruining a first impression.

I walked up to the bar and asked  the bartender (Jamie) if we could move from our table (aka “Land of the Lost”) to the bar. Jamie affirmed we could and was very pleasant during the balance of our stay. Rest assured, she alone salvaged my first impression of Billy's Boathouse.

Their drink specials of the evening included margaritas, so I decided to swerve a little off my usual beer-centric path. It was good – but I realized how much I do indeed now much prefer craft beer. Several beers are available but nothing especially noteworthy – a good dose of “craft” would make the bar more attractive to me, of course.

We ordered Fried Fish, Chicken and Blackened Fish tacos which are served with all the “fixin's” on a separate plate. All were delicious but my favorite was the Fried Fish – companion preferred the Blackened Fish.

As we were eating, companion continued his description of the game of Cravitz which he had started the evening before:

As Cravitz became embraced by a small number of competitors in America in the early 70's, livestock gave way to bragging rights and cases of Falstaff beer - and fully conforming teams were initially defined as having eight “fielding players” (2 Offensive Niblings, 2 Frummerts, 2 Brooders and 2 Blats) and the two Wicket Men (goalies). American rules established that no injury timeouts would be in effect – if a player went down, his replacement must assist or carry the injured one off the field prior to entering the game, which continued on unabated.

In modern times, scoring through the four attended goals could be either on the ground (known as a woomick and worth 17 points) or through the air (known as a dermish and worth 11 points). Scoring through the “Chumb Goal” was worth 6 points, via either dermish or woomick. The hitlibitle must always be used to propel the purnunkle - any touching of the purnunkle by hands, head or other body parts (intentional or not) resulted in a penalty. Penalty shots were taken from the “Chumb Line” in front of the “Chumb Goal”. Failing to score via penalty shot in the air through the unattended goal forced the team failing to score to put the purnunkle back in play by one of their Frummerts from the “Chumb Line”.

He paused with his explanation due to a loud party sitting in an adjoining room whooping it up, louder and louder as time went on. This was a little disappointing as far as “atmosphere” but something we were, with a little effort, able to overlook.

To me, my impression was that Billy's Boathouse needed a good scrubbing, stem to stern and some formal and focused training of wait staff. Other online reviews of the establishment include a significant number indicating slow or non-existent service. I never make my decisions on whether to visit a bar or restaurant based on those reviews, but my experience there that evening supported what I had read. Unfortunately, Jamie can't tend the bar AND wait all the tables by herself!

All this said, I must say the tacos were great and Jamie was a professional and effective bartender. When I go back, we'll just sit at the bar so as not to risk being “lost at sea” in the dining area.

Billy's Boathouse (2321 Beach Blvd – Jacksonville Beach – 904.241.9771)

http://www.billysboathousegrill.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Billys-Boathouse-Grill/73333198603

While we were on that side of town, we had just a short drive over to Green Room Brewing (228 3rd Street North – Jax Beach – 904.201-9283) which was our next destination. Being it was Tuesday and being members of Tsunami Tuesdays, we wanted to sample their new offering that week.

The featured brew was the Cascade IPA – a single hop – single malt creating weighing in at 6.5% ABV. Good stuff!

Fellow patron at Green Room Brewing

It was late and a school night, so we decided to call it an evening. Besides, there was more beer-related evenings ahead on this marathon Jax Brew Bitch week!

Green Room Brewing

http://www.greenroombrewing.com/

http://www.facebook.com/GreenRoomBrewing