A Week of Funky Buddha, Milestones, and the Beer That Went With It!

Best engraved glass ever. I'm biased.

The idea of seeing my name on a glass was all I needed, to join Funky Buddha's Snifter Club last year. Throw in an extra 2 oz pour each time, extended happy hour, and a t-shirt and I'm in! Fast forward a year later. Time to renew, or pick up my glass. Since I don't make it in that often (not by choice), and don't live too close (5 more years to the east side beach condo), I grudgingly picked up my glass to enjoy at home... However, I can't go in there and just "pick up a glass". That's dumb. I had to at least enjoy one more draft Buddha brew out of it, before shoving it in my purse for the trek back west..

My brew of choice was: Chocolate Covered Cherry Porter. Yes.. I just said that. Yes.. it was silky. Yes.. there was luxurious chocolate with balanced tart cherries involved... The bitter malt meshes perfectly with the authentic taste of cocoa. This weighs in at 6.3% ABV, and is one of my favorites I've had from Funky Buddha.

Cheers to my niece that will be spoiled, then given back

I had a big reason to celebrate last week. I'm an Auntie! To celebrate this grand occasion, I reached into my cellar, pulling out the last 2013 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout I had. This has been aging for about 8 months now, and tasted incredible. It was smoother than November, and as it warmed up, I picked up dark fruits, molasses and heavy toffee. I dare say vanilla too. This 14.5% ABV beer, never ceases to amaze me. Fresh, poured from the bottle in November, on tap at random spots, and aged for 8 months: it's always a decadent treat. 

Another reason to "celebrate", (or cry) last week, was my daughter getting her Learner's Permit. 

Not sure what's scarier: my younger brother having a child, or my child legally able to drive. It's a toss up. Either way, I know that Bison Brew Organic Chocolate Stout will never leave me wondering. It's always smooth, and I just discovered their site has recipes, and cooking recommendations, such as utilizing it as a meat tenderizer. Be looking for THAT entry soon. Bison Brew says, it's "Like Barry White's voice in a bottle". At 5.0% ABV, with an earthy, dark chocolate and espresso foundation - I can't get enough of this one...

I was on a roll with the rose..

Recent honorable mention for beautiful label artwork goes to Saint Somewhere (Tarpon Springs, FL).

Drain pour mention also goes to Saint Somewhere, for their Pays du Soleil Dubbel Belgian Style Ale.  I immediately noticed the cork slipping up on it's own, once I removed the wire. Red flag #1. Red flag #2, was picking up on medicinal flavors, and honestly, the kind that felt I may be sick if I drank it. So, I drain poured this marvelously labeled bomber. 

Perhaps, my palate is used to other styles, but that's the beauty of craft beer: there's something for everyone. Cheers!

More Suburbia Adventures

Thank you Bokampers

First things first. Bokampers in Miramar, has got it going on. They have Goose Island Matilda on tap, bottles of Goose Island Sofie, and Green Flash Hop Head Red! These gems were pleasant surprises, one relaxing Friday happy hour. 

This work happy hour, started out with "everyone going", but ended up to be myself, and six men. All of the girls bailed. What's a girl to do? I glossed up, savored my brews, and enjoyed the eye candy. I also dropped some beer knowledge to the bucket drinkers (after curious stares). After a friend of mine tasted Matilda, he was like "Wow - that's pretty good. I've never had a beer like that!" Exactly. Great job on upping the craft beer selection Bokampers. On behalf of West Broward beer nerds, thank you!

Sam Adams Summer Ale

While we're talking about West Broward, Texas Roadhouse Grill just opened in the same shopping center as Bokampers. They don't have a large craft beer selection, however their spontaneous staff line dancing, fluffy brown sugar butter rolls, and juicy BBQ compensate for only having Sam Adams Summer Ale to select from. 

Peep the Harpoon in my beer fridge

Do you know who else has it going on? Total Wine does. All day, every day. I love that I can go make random six packs, check a discount wall, then the new release wall, ask for the "special beer" that just came out from the behind the counter, and attend tastings. A recent tasting featured: Harpoon Brewery which was awesome, not only because their beers are yummy, but I got to see my girl Lauren, of former Tap 42 fame, who is now reppin Harpoon. 

Archived shot of the best brunch

While we're talking about the two - did you know that beginning July 19th, Tap 42's brunch will debut $15 bottomless Harpoon UFO drafts? Yes, for real! We're talking UFO White, Rasberry Hefeweizen and Big Squeeze. Big Squeeze Shandy is like a mimosa and a beer had a baby. This is a perfect brunch selection. I'll see you there. 

At Total Wine, I picked up Tangerine Dreamsicle Cream IPA, a collaboration brew between Terrapin (GA), and Green Flash (CA). It was crisp, with piney citrus notes, hints of a creamsicle, all with solid malt undertones. Interesting, and surprisingly complex. I wasn't expecting it could be pulled off - but I buy anything Green Flash, and was delighted by this blend. I would love to drink it again. 

This is true love...

I also picked up a favorite staple of mine: Stone Imperial Russian Stout. This is silky, roasty, and dark, with flavors of coffee and decadence. It's a great sipping beer. 

See you at Beer Camp!

One of the biggest things happening in the beer world lately, is Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp. A case of 12 uniquely styled beers, each collaborated with a different brewery across the country. Because I've been sick, I have yet to crack this treasure chest of brews, but will be reviewing all 12 soon! Off to Beer Camp I go!

Road Trippin' to Palm Beach and Broward Breweries!

After 8 months of integrating studying, into my world of intense project workloads, raising children, and day to day life: I passed the PMP Exam June 2nd! This warranted a trip to the cellar, for a 2013 Bourbon County Brand Stout, and my autographed-by-Stone-CEO-Greg Koch w00tStout! This was a huge personal accomplishment, and these special beers fit the bill perfectly!

To help ease the pre-exam jitters, I hit the road to enjoy some local South Florida breweries. 

Stop #1 - Due South Brewing, Boynton Beach

I took the 2PM VIP tour, that comes with samples, Q&A and a pint glass for only $10! Mike, the Operations Manager was knowledgeable, courteous and passionate about his craft (no pun intended)!

The Beers:

-Caramel Cream Ale - a favorite. Creamy, malty, with the perfect balance of caramel notes. 

-Category 3 IPA - Great IPA! Smooth and crisp. Citrusy, yet not too sweet. 

-Cafe Ole Espresso Porter - Hola, te amo mucho! 
This is my other favorite Due South staple! I enjoy the roastiness and superb espresso, brewed in this beauty of a beer!

-Mexican Standoff - Hora le.. (I used to love in Cali, what can I say?) This one was very spicy, but not too much that you can't taste the cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon notes. I enjoyed this, but would need to share. I can't hang with a full glass. 



Bourbon Barrel Mariana Trench posing in a glass

Drumroll... My new favorite from Due South Brewing, is... Bourbon Barrel Mariana Trench Imperial Stout! Layer, upon layer of lusciousness. Thank you for the people who didn't pick up their bottles, because I got one to bring home. Their loss, was my gain!

The atmosphere and staff at Due South was warm and inviting, and you can feel the camaraderie of the staff, along with a family feel. I can't wait to go back! Awesome place!

Stop #2 - Saltwater Brewery, Delray Beach


Let me start by saying, I love the building, and decor! It's beautifully decorated with handsome woodworking, and subtle beachy shore touches throughout. The common theme of beers all named accordingly, makes it very interesting. I love the ocean and the beach, so I was really excited about a place that combines two of my passions.


Selfie at Saltwater, since the chandelier and wood is so cool

Flights included the following:

-Chocolate Mayday Imperial Porter

-Watch This Belgian Barley Wine

-Stinger Double IPA

-Bonafied Blonde Belgian Blonde

-Mola Mola Imperial Nut Blonde

-Raspberry Reef Pale Ale

-Bourbon Barrel Watch This

-The Black Current Strong Ale

The only ones I enjoyed, were the Raspberry Reef Pale Ale, and the Belgian Blonde. In full beer blogging disclosure, all of the darker beers reminded me of salt, or meat. Not sure if my palate was overflowing from the amazingness of Due South, but I would drink those two again, and am open to try new ones. 



Stop #3 - Funky Buddha, Oakland Park (1st Anniversary Party)
All of the beer geeks, snobs, nerds, brewers and hoarders were there for this special anniversary party! Initially, I wasn't planning to attend, since I was being low key, avoiding crowds and many, many beers, in preparation of my exam, but, it's Funky Buddha, and it's a party. How could I not? So off to Oakland Park it was! 
The beers:
-Funky Buddha Humble Braggot (Mead/beer hybrid) - Orange peels, raisins and honey oh my!

-Cigar City Double Barrel Hunahpu's Imperial Stout My first Hunahpu ever. I was a Huna virgin, and I get it. This shit is good. Apple brandy and rum barrels, cinnamon and vanilla beans, cacao nibs and chiles. This was a treat indeed, and I was thrilled when I was told some was left!

It was great running into a lot of my beer friends! I'm so glad I ended up there, and am heading back soon to drink from my snifter!