"Most people hoard baseball cards or cats" says Julian Siegel, straightening up his Dogfish Head bottles. "But me? I collect beer." Siegel, owner of Riverside Market, has collected three generations of Dogfish Head beer over the last four years. When asked why, this beer connoisseur responds with a grin. "I love beer, obviously. [Dogfish Head] has amazing quality. There's music in their beer [titles]."
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Last night, Siegel brought out the beers from his office to sell for Dogfish Head Vintage Bottle Night. Never-ending lines of people waited to buy one of a kind Dogfish Head that was once sold years ago. Siegel had 17 different beers on display with two or three crates of each kept in the dark depths of the restaurants coolers. Between rushing around with his sales and managing his restaurant, Siegel took time out to tell us his top five favorite beers from his collection.
5. 90 Minute IPA
Siegel provided an interesting description for this one: "This has 9% alcohol. It's smooth and hoppy, but almost like it's aged already." Also, here's a fun fact: 90 Minute was the first beer that Dogfish had continuously hopped. We say, great success!
4. Miles Davis Bitches Brew
Siegel looked slightly stumped trying to describe this one. Finally, he came up with a description. "It's a sweet stout, with honey." We like how you described it, man.
3. Saison du BUFF
"This is a crazy mix. This is one of my favorites for sure." Not only does this beer have three breweries that created it (Victory, Stone, and of course, Dogfish Head), but there are ingredients most beers don't have - herbs. These delectable herbs include parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
2. World Wide Stout
When asked why Siegel chose this beer to go on his top 5 favorite list, Siegel simply laughed. "Well, I do love that it's 20% alcohol...this is 120 Minutes' [Dogfish brand] brother. It's ridiculously evil."
1. Midas Touch
Siegel had an interesting story with this one: "I didn't like it at first...when I first tried it, I had two sips and poured it out when no one saw. I was a young man." But now he likes it? "Oh yeah." Of course, Siegel was heckled by his co-workers for this one; "Women love Midas Touch."
Riverside Market is located at 608 SW 12th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-358-8333.
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