Win Free Tickets to New Times Beerfest

• I've random.org'd two winners from last week. We'll have one more giveaway this week. Thanks all for playing.

• Fat Cats on Himmarshee is a must see.  Having just moved from Virginia Beach, my wife and I have been "on the prowl" for a great beer bar.  There are several where we're from.  After getting a tip from an employee at Total Wine (btw, if you haven't been there yet, go.  It's like an adult candyland of booze), we were told to check out Fat Cats.  Within minutes of walking in the place, we were introduced to the manager, offered free beer (to try) and serenaded by a full band.  They have live music every night, the scene isn't too pretentious and the beer selection is amazing.  Fat Cats was "purr-fect!"  Okay, sorry for that.pkp249@yahoo.com

• Not sure what happened to the formatting there; copied from Word.  Sorry!

• <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> Without a doubt, the best beer bar in the area is Original Fat Cats.  My husband and I moved to Florida earlier this year and with us came a thirst, a thirst for unique, delectable brews.  Not a “we have two specialty beers on tap” kind of place.  No…we desired a place where the beer list isn’t the same every week and where the bartender can’t wait to tell you about the newest micro-brew to come in.  I’m talking a BEER OASIS!  We were *on a mission* to find a beer spot that was just right and one that, like a perfectly-crafted beer, had all the right ingredients.  Not only were we looking for amazing beer, we were in search of the complete package.  We wished for a spot where we could come again and again and never get bored, a beer bar with real personality and staff that loves brews as much as we do.  Enter Fat Cats.  After several recommendations, we made a mid-week trip downtown to Fat Cats and have never looked back.  With its laid-back atmosphere (shorts and sandals encouraged) and nightly live music, the vibe is perfect for relaxing after work or hitting up on a Saturday night.  Then there’s the beer…oh the beer!  Immediately after settling into our bar stools, the couple next to us, regulars (they have a lot of those), encouraged us to talk to Don.  “Don is THE man to talk to,” they said.  As if his beer-lovers-are-in-the-vicinity radar went off, Don came right up to us and so began an inspiring conversation with a fellow beer enthusiast.  We were sold (no, literally, we were sold on Holy Mackerel’s “Panic Attack” and another craft beer from Colorado I’d never even heard of).  Each frothy beer was better the the last.  Then the night got even better as an energetic blues band took the stage.  At one point in the evening my husband turned to me, frosty beverage in hand and smile on face,  and said what we were both thinking, “This is it.  We've found it.”  We’ve been going ever since…and loving it. (justinepthompson@gmail.com)

• My boyfriend and I love Bru's room for two reasons.  He loves the redonkously cheap happy hour prices, and I love the French Onion Cheesesteaks.  They also always have great and new different food specials like fish tacos or pulled pork grilled cheese.  But yeah $1.50 beers, good food, tons of TV's, and comfortable seating...whats not to love.  (katelynroy@gmail.com) :)

• Amongst the popular mojito and margarita of South Florida it can be difficult to find the perfect specialty beer to quench your thirst. Two places in Broward county have made this possible. Laser Wolf’s extensive bottle list and ever-changing draft menu allows for beer expert and novice to expand their beer tasting palate. The staff is always willing to help you find the right beer for your mood and what could be better than a Jaw’s themed bathroom?! Also, the Original Fat Cats has an extensive beer list, awesome music, and a coveted laid back atmosphere that is missing from several downtown bars. Cheers! kelrpp@yahoo.com

• Ft Lauderdale beach has several great places to imbibe one of my favorite beverages.  Depending on the occasion many of the bars will do the trick.  But when it comes to the serious enjoyment of hops and barley I sneak off to Bierbrunnen Beer Garden. Tucked away slightly out of view from the public Bierbrunnen has what I like in a beer bar; options.  The proximity to the beach allows for a quick escape from oceanic escapades while still allowing you to enjoy the breeze.    You can be alone with your thoughts or engage in conversation with the many colorful characters without having to shout or getting bumped in one of the more crowed establishments. In all Bierbrunnen Beer Garden is truly an oasis from the norm. Ceenote66@yahoo.com

• Texas Hold 'em BBQ at the bend where Sunrise and US1 head back north. 9 taps of craft beers constantly changing. Pretty much have new beers every week on tap. Along with the 25-30 bottles that are sitting there ready to hydrate with the nectar of the gods. Oh yeah. And the BBQ is pretty kick ass too... danmcg at vt dot edu

• There's too many to choose from! My top three are: Riverside Market- so friendly and convenient, Fat Cats- love that dark-bar feeling plus: do they even serve anything besides beer? which makes ordering so easy, and, surprisingly,  Brick House Tavern + Tap plenty of seating at the bar and a pretty decent selection of beer. Pick me! Pick Me! Charlie0404@gmail.com

• The fairly new M Bar on Las Olas has Craft Beer Tuesdays every week with $2 off their entire selection of draft and bottled beers or try the beer sampling paddle for $8 from 5-9 pm.  It's a great selection and atmosphere is very chic with tables, high tops, a bar, outdoor seating and couch low seat area that makes it like you are having your own party.  They also offer great food ranging in small, medium and large plates. kmstout@gmail.com

• Living walking distance to Riverside Market is dangerous! so friendly, so welcoming, love it! monspimp44 at aol dot com

• Original Fat Cats has the best selection of craft and micro brews in the area.  I judge my "beer bars" on one paradigm, the beer itself.  Non-essential frills factor little into my calculations, but OFC will bring in a few decent bands from time to time.  What matters most is the hand picked, unique craft brews that are so hoppy they evoke the feeling for knawing on the bark of a tree.  Yummmm! (chrisbhewson@gmail.com)

• My favorite "beer bar" is not exactly a bar however the beer selection at Riverside Market Cafe is far and away the best I have seen in the area. From the highly regarded Trappist Ales to the lowly Bud Lite there is a beer for every taste. I have found Rogue and Dogfish brews here that I didn't even know existed and the "bohemian" atmosphere just adds to the appeal for me. The perfectly casual and laid back atmosphere is just right for relaxing and tossing back a cold one.  All that, and, the food isn't bad either! Randy (rkl1028@gmail.com)

• My new favorite beer hotspot has to be Laser Wolf in Fort Lauderdale! Located off the beaten track, literally (its 3 feet away  from train tracks), it has one of the best selection of craft beers in the area, all for a reasonable price of $5-6 dollars. To keep things interesting, the taps they have are constantly rotating, so you always have  new, unique options to choose from when you go. They have a happy hour that begins at 5 PM, where their beer or 2 of choice for that day are 2-4-1. Great place to chill and try delicious beer, listen to an eclectic mix of music, and hang with friends without having to deal with the noise and commotion of a "club". blehrer0688@knights.ucf.edu

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