The last couple years especially have seen a dramatic increase in the number of available beers in our market, both from out of state breweries as well as new local microbreweries. In fact, just about every single month has seen the release of one or two (or more) breweries in the South Florida Area. Although it can be somewhat overwhelming for the average beer fan, for the “beer geeks” out there, it means that every month brings a new adventure in beer exploration. On a personal note, as the Blind Monk’s Cicerone, it means that there are always new toys for my sandbox, and I do my best to make sure our beer fans always get to experience the best of them.

In the past year alone, South Florida has been introduced to Sixpoint, Mission, Ballast Point, Stillwater, Evil Twin, Southern Star, Green Flash, Hinterland, Two Brothers, Bear Republic, and even the newest Trappist Brewery Stift Engelszell. The last three months have been especially exciting for the craft beer fan. June saw the release of Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewery; July, the debut of Colorado’s New Belgium Brewery; and just this month, one of my personal favorites: Founders, out of Michigan.

From Founders, we are featuring:

Centennial IPA – an all Centennial hop IPA, widely considered one of the best of its kind

All Day IPA – a session IPA clocking in at just 4.7% ABV, but with all of the hoppy goodness of a full blown IPA

Porter – just about a perfect version of its style – rich and roasty, smooth and delicious

Dirty Bastard – a malt lovers dream come true, big, bold, with a subtle scotch ale smokiness

and their seasonal release Red’s Rye Pale Ale – a hoppy ale with a rich amber malt backbone and rye spiciness

And from the legendary New Belgium:

Shift – one of their newer releases, a craft-made pale lager, tasty enough to satisfy the craft beer head, and still easy enough to please any pale lager fan

Ranger – another of their more recent creations, IPA brewing finally came to New Belgium with the launch of Ranger, a classic Colorado-style IPA

Sunshine – their Belgian style White Ale – easy and refreshing for the Sunshine State

and of course, the beer that started it all Fat Tire

And while you’re here trying some New Belgium and Founders, we are also showcasing these other new-to-Florida beers: Sweetwater Dank Tank, Mission Blonde, Green Flash Trippel, Southern Star Buried Hatchet Stout, Hinterland Luna Coffee Stout, Evil Twin Lil B, Stift Englelszell Gregorius, and even the new Iron Maiden beer from the English brewery Robinsons.

Well, we don’t just want you to hear about the new beers coming to town, we want you to experience them for yourself. Come try one or all of the new additions to the menu; we are sure you will be happy you did!