Wednesdays at the Brew Garden

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and enjoy a great beer, then you need to head over to the Brew Garden. They have a great selection of imported and microbrewery beers on tap. They even have a few domestic favorites such as Sierra Nevada and Turbo Dog.

The main reason I go for the Brew Garden is their wide variety of Stouts, Lagers and Ales. Most bars that serve imports in the Tampa Bay area like to only serve ales and lagers, with perhaps a few Stouts mixed in. On the other hand, The Brew Garden mixes it up well and keeps the strong stouts on the menu (which is more my taste). They also serve wine and food if you’re interested. That's not really my thing, but just a FYI.

Like most import bars, the beers are kind of expensive with the pints averaging around 5 bucks. So make sure to go on a Wednesday, which is the day they have their 2 for 1 day. You can head in for four pints and only have a $10 tab, which is a damn good price for imported on tap. They usually have the 2 for 1 special on a few beers so be sure to check out their website http://thebrewgarden.com/ before you go. If they are 2 for 1 on the beer you like, then I guarantee you and your wallet will have a great time.

If you want to gmap it or GPS the location here it is: 904 North McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida 33759.

Try a new kind of Guinness

I have been visiting the Tilted Kilt for the past couple of years and have discovered Guinness Cocktails. This is a half mixture of Guinness and another beverage. I never get tired of a regular Guinness, but try these combinations if you want something new

BLACKSMITH (Smithwicks & Guinness): This is my favorite combination. You keep the deep stout flavor of the Guinness and add the red ale of Smithwicks for a great taste. I probably like it the most because it keeps in the most Guinness flavor.

Black and Blue (Blue Moon & Guinness): This is also a good combo if you’re looking for a chocolate stout mixed with a witbier blueberry flavor. I'm not the biggest fan of mixing fruit and beer, but if you are then I would give this a shot.

Black and Tan (Bass & Guinness): Great beer. This is my second favorite. This is similar to the Blacksmith, but the Bass ale has a much stronger taste than Smithwicks. Mix up your taste buds with Stout and Ale for a great combo.

Snake Bite (Cider & Guinness): I'm not the biggest fan of Cider. I think it’s a little too sweet for my taste. But if you’re the type who likes a sweeter beer mixed with a deep stout chocolate taste, then this should be your pick.

They also have something called the Rotten Pear (Cider & Stout): I've personally never had this drink. I just saw it on their menu a minute ago. I'm sure it’s pretty similar to the Snake bite, but with a pear flavor.

Go out and try these combinations for a new beer experience.

Peace Out and Stay Classy

Green Eggs: A Love Letter to Cinnabon

Green Eggs: A Love Letter to Cinnabon

Green Eggs: YO! That's Fun Sushi

Green Eggs: YO! That's Fun Sushi

Organic Beer?!

I was at work on my lunch break surfing the net for random news stories, when I ran upon a story about organic beer. The first thing I thought was "wow what have these hippies done to beer, but apparently I'm wrong. I have yet to try one, but I will let you all know asap how it goes.

Now I'll try every beer at least once, but organic beer?! I have never heard of such a thing. Apparently from the reviews I had read, its actually pretty good. I have always said "a beer a day keeps the doctor away" but this takes that saying to a whole new level.

This organic beer is produced in small batches from only organically grown barley, malt, wheat, hops, yeast and spring water. It has to meet the guidelines of the National Organic Program administered by the US department of agriculture. The beer meets these guidelines wayyyy before it is even brewed. It has to do with how the soil is tended and the absence of manufactured chemicals. These brewers must search for ingredients that are produced with the help of composts and inter cropping systems.

I don't know a whole lot about the taste of these beers, but one of the most popular brewers is Peak Organic Brewing Company. I'm going to try and order some of this or find it somewhere. I am hopefully going to prove that this is not some silly hippy fad and that it is classy, tasteful and good for your health.

Peace Out and Stay Classy

Everyday is a lovely day for a Guinness

“I can’t have a Guinness because I am on a diet.” “How can you drink that? It’s so filling!” “I just ate, there is no way I can drink one of those right now.” Have you ever heard anyone say such blasphemy? Perhaps you have even said it yourself. Well, let me shed some of knowledge upon you.

To begin, I absolutely love Guinness. Let’s put it this way, I would bathe in it if I had the choice. It has everything you are looking for in a dark stout. It has a creamy roasted taste, a deep blended scent similar to rich mahogany and an aura of a Greek God. I like Guinness from the tap, bottle, can or even in cooked in my food.

Now that I have shared my obsession with Guinness, let’s look at some reasons why Guinness is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It has been proven that 1-3 beers per day is good for your mind, body and heart. I’m not going to get into the specifics of this, but if you would like to see it then check out this site

Guinness draught has 125 calories and around 10 grams of carbs. This is actually fairly competitive health wise as bud light. Bud light has around 100 calories and a little over 6.5 carbs. So doing the math leaves us with Guinness adding on 25 more calories and an extra 3.5 carbs. You can burn that off by walking to the bathroom and taking a leak. Rather than drinking a watered down “light” beer, PLEASE do yourself a favor and pound a Guinness.

Peace Out and Stay Classy

Christmas Farm Ale

Christmas is a great time for seasonal brews. My favorite domestic is Sam Adams Winter Ale, but the best Christmas seasonals can be found at microbreweries. I found another great beer at Dunedin brewery called Christmas Farm Ale. I know I talk about Dunedin brewery a lot, but hey that place is just straight up class all the way. class class class.

Dunedin brewery defines this beer as "A special Holiday ale brewed in the country farm spirit of times past. This winter warmer has a complex, spicy taste and aroma that will delight your senses and warm your soul." They are completely right. It starts out with a crisp taste and ends with a warming sensation throughout your body. That could also be the high alcohol % in it, but I'll take that. You can taste the cinnamon, ginger and all the other Christmas flavors you require in a winter seasonal beer. Go out and try it.

Peace out and Stay Classy

Oldmar Tap House Reviewed

You have to go to Oldsmar Tap House. If you enjoy great imported beer, unbelievable service and a chance at free beer then this place is for you. The pints are around $5, but they'll let you try whatever you want before you order a pint. Most of their beers are 6-10% abv so you don't need many pints to catch a buzz. They also have 35 beers on tap and 75 bottled from all over the world.

The atmosphere is completely laid back. It's a great place for conversation and relaxing. They even have board games to play if you want. I wouldn't do that, but it seemed like a sweet idea.

When I went there I had no idea what to get. I know I wanted a dark stout, but they had around 10 of those. I was still a bit hungover from my night before so I didn't want a 10% abv beer. So I just put my trust into the bartender (who knew a lot about beer) and she poured me a beer I've never heard of. Beamish Irish Stout.

Great stout beer. Rivals the nitro stout at Dunedin brewery and Guinness. Jet black color with a thick, creamy/soapy, two finger head. It smelled of chocolate and caramel. It tasted of sweet caramel, roasted malt, molasses, and rich dark chocolate. Basically all that is man is put into this beer. I had two of these and left because they close at 11 on weekdays. I am definitely going back again because they have a huge selection and they change beers frequently.

This place is a serious untapped resource in the Tampa Bay area, so make sure you hit it up.

Peace Out and Stay Classy

Golfing and Beer

One of my favorite things to do golf. Am I that good? no. But it is one of the classiest things you can do on a weekend. Pick out a decent golf course, buy some beer and cigars and go be manly.

Now there are a lot of different types of beer that you can drink when you golf that are acceptable. Pretty much anything that isn't gay or cheap. Don't go buy natural light to go golfing...come on you're better than that. Natural light is for when your 19 in college and you don't know any better.

Take my advice and go buy Budweiser...in a can. Yes, it must be a can. Why you might ask? well here are a few reasons.

1. The cans fit easier into your cooler with ice and easier to disguise you're bringing beer on the course.

2. It conveniently fits into the coasters in the golf cart.

3. It's what your dad drank and your dad's dad drank on the golf course so you should too.

Also, I've noticed that my golf game becomes much better as I drink more Budweiser. Try it out and see if it works for you.

Peace Out and Stay Classy

MGD 64

Ever tried a beer knowing that its probably shitty, but you still had to try it anyway? I know I have and that beer was MGD 64. I don't even know how you can call its a beer with 64 calories and 2.4 carbs. Anyway so I pick it up and I walk to the counter and I get this look from another dude in line and he gives me the "wow really MGD 64 dude...come on." I can't blame the guy, I'm sure I would have done the same thing. Or a guy that buys Smirnoff and swears its for his girlfriend...yeah right its either for you or for your homo ass underage roommate.

So back to the beer. If you have ever had Michelob ultra (an alright beer by the way), Picture that but a more watered down taste. I swear I was drinking carbonated water with a mild amount of hops and no flavor. Was it terrible? no. Was it good? no. Would I recommend it? only if you're on a diet and you have to have beer I guess. Personally, I'm more of a Bud guy when it comes to domestic beers. But, I guess if you want a lighter beer than bud light then have at it chief.

This beer is gonna go bad in my fridge so if anybody else wants to try it, come over to my house and you can have it. I'll just drink water or Guinness instead.

Peace Out and Stay Classy