Over the Weekend: Social Media Beer Tasting @ Coffee District

A fair bit of beer was sampled at the Social Media Beer Tasting, Saturday at the Coffee District.

​This weekend I trucked up to the Coffee District in Delray Beach to take part in the Social Media Beer Tasting, an event designed to bring together folks who sell, hock, write about, talk about, and otherwise live beer. About 20 said folks gathered in the coffee and beer hangout to discuss what's going on in the South Florida beer scene and ways everyone can help it grow.

The event was put together by Ed Roberts of Total Wine and Spirits, who assembled an all-star list of media, retailers, bloggers, distributors, and local brewers to contribute. Everyone chipped in a beer to share, while Coffee District provided sampling glasses and pitchers of water (to swish out the glasses, not to drink!). It was like a little beer-scene brouhaha and a tasting event all rolled into one.

Some of the folks in attendance included Jeff Abbarno, former owner of Boca Raton's legendary beer shack, Case and Keg. Abbarno, who now runs Draft Doctor, a keg delivery and parts service, spoke briefly about the importance of speaking to your local and state representatives about relaxing Florida's strict beer laws so that independent breweries and retailers can grow.

Local (soon-to-be) brewery Funky Buddha Lounge also represented. Owner Ryan Sentz revealed that he hopes to have the brewery up and running within a month.

A cap belonging to the rare Westvleteren #8, aged 4 years.

​As folks went around the table introducing themselves and explaining what they do in the beer world, bottles of rare and interesting brew were also passed and poured. I tried a good many beers I've never had before, many of which aren't even available in Florida now. Some of the hits include Pursuit of Hoppiness, an ultra-hopped red from Idaho's Grand Teton Brewing; Dogfish Head's Chateau Jiahu, a honeysuckle- and grape-infused beer from its Ancient Ales series; and a 2006 Westvleteren Trappist #8, a rare Belgian beer that's horded like crack. That theme of introducing new and unique beers was repeated throughout the tasting as people spoke about the importance of building a repertoire between distributors and customers.

Another interesting guest was Drew Weinstein, a former Wall Street analyst with Cohen & Co., who for the past year has been shopping his idea to launch Magellanic Brewery. Guess where Drew hopes to open? Right here in South Florida.

Weinstein is currently seeking about $3 million in capital to kick-start his brewery in Miami's Wynwood Arts District. He sees Florida as a ripe spot to launch a new beer brand, especially one that appeals to hard-core and casual beer fans alike.

Roberts didn't say when the next Social Media Tasting would be held, but for now, the event is limited to individuals who work in or report on the industry. It was a great sign, however, that the craft beer revolution isn't stopping anytime soon. With the help of these folks, it's only going to get bigger.

Some other attendees and their local beer blogs/venues:

Ed Roberts
Dos Beerigos
Mike Loves Beer
Brewkkake
Boca Beer Lovers
Daily Beer Review
Beer Bon Voyage
Beer Review Dude
The Lodge Boca
Funky Buddha Lounge
Coffee District
Potables and Edibles
Fresh Beer Inc.