​There are many bars on Wilton Drive, the main drag of gaytopian Wilton Manors, and they all have their charms. There is chummy, sporty Sidelines. Rosie's (the subject of this week's dish column) has kitsch. There are low prices and lower lights at Tropics. Boom has beats, Georgie's Alibi the friendly press of the crowd, New Moon its lesbians, and Matty's ... well, it's got benches.

But they have no craft beer.

Now, that's not technically true -- Sam Adams is a craft, and they've got that, and the Naked Grape wine bar used to sell the occasional big bottle of Rogue. But I don't know if
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cogocogo via Flickr Creative Commons

There are five more with this came from.

​If a beer with your pizza is good, many beers -- and of a wide variety of 'em -- is even better. The upcoming Cigar City Brewery Night will see the Florida craft brewer invading the newly opened Puccini's Pizzeria in Delray Beach for one night. The event blends together several of the standbys of the craft beer movement: a tap takeover, a beer dinner, and a beer tasting with an expert on hand to provide tasting notes and guidelines. More >>

Next time you hit up Riverside Market, Total Wine, or the new Fresh Market for a six-pack, keep in mind these truth-in-beervertising ads from Breckenridge Brewery. Here's hoping you don't get stuck in a conversation with this guy (or girl) this weekend.

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​When you're at the Craft Brewers Festival in Jupiter this Saturday, be sure to find the local brew from Due South. It's the last time you'll be able to try it before Mike and Jodi Halker open their brewery at 2900 High Ridge Road in Boynton Beach later this season.

The few familiar with the brew might know their Caramel Cream Ale or Roasted Cocoa Stout, though they're planning to debut with a range of beers, including an Atlantis Ale and an Espresso Porter, to be distributed by Brown Distributors from Jupiter to Key West.

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Beer is going to be harder to get in West Palm Beach.

​We're filing this post under High Suckage Factor.  According to the Palm Beach Post, an ordinance was passed yesterday that would make it more difficult to buy alcohol in downtown West Palm Beach.

Ordinance No. 4394-11, which was passed on January 23, restricts "the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption in the Clematis Waterfront District and the Northwest Neighborhood District."

That means that new grocery stores will not be able to obtain a license to sell beer or spirits, though stores currently selling booze will be grandfathered in.


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Beer is what's for dinner at PL8 Kitchen this Monday.

​As South Florida explores its taste for craft beer and gourmet brew tastings, we're seeing more opportunities for local lessons in how an ale or a stout can complement a steak or cheese plate just as well as a bottle of vino could.

On that topic, this coming Monday, PL8 Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale will host a four-course beer dinner. The menu was created by chef Joel Christy who recently took control of the kitchen at the Himmarshee restaurant and bar.

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"It's weird that so many people are drinking stout in winter here, but they do," said Jake, the manager at Tap 42, during one of several visits this past month.

It's natural to crave big beers during the cold weather. Yet we're absolved from the cold and still, Florida sees brisk sales of winter brews. Part of the craving is we're slaves to suggestion: It's the growing season here, yet we're eying braised meat and root vegetables since it's seasonal up north.

The more compelling reason we're buying is because now's the time it's fresh and tasty, says former New Times food critic and beer guru John Linn. Among the craft brews Linn recommends right now:

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Learn to love a Florida brew.

​The West Coast gets a lot of love in the craft beer world, but the Sunshine State slowly is emerging as a respectable source of quality quaffs.

You can learn about one of the state's most recognizable brewers at The Cigar City Beer Tasting event Friday at the Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton.

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bonbeer.blogspot.com

​January 23 through 29 is South Florida Beer Week, a sudsy beerfest during which local haunts Funky Buddha, Tap 42, World of Beer, and Laser Wolf sponsor tap takeovers to celebrate local brews. The kickoff is a Monday night pig roast at Lou's Beer Garden. What about bacon?


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Misha Grosvenor

Bottoms up!

​When making dinner plans with friends, I usually ask something along the lines of, "What type of food are you in the mood to eat?" Recently, after two botched outings with friends, I've realized that the first thing I should ask is, "Are you gluten-intolerant?"

Last month, I met with a friend at Palace India and, after being informed of her new wheat allergy a moment too late, found myself eating a plate of delicious samosas by my lonesome -- score! what a shame.

Most recently, I invited a new friend, Brian, to Tap 42, a recently opened gastropub in Fort  Lauderdale, not knowing that he was gluten-intolerant. Fortunately, Tap 42 has plenty of other  options for imbibing, but still, I couldn't help but feel compassion for those who are missing out on all the bounty that gluten has to offer -- namely, IPAs, pilsners, and stouts.

In an effort to help those of you who feel left out while watching your selfish, thoughtless friends play beer pong (no judgment), here is a list of five gluten-free beers to get you back in the game.
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