About two years, Mark Fee started brewing beer on his stove at home. The firefighter paramedic took up brewing as a hobby to let off steam.
It didn't take long for some of his friends and fellow firefighters to join in on the brew making. It took only a few tries for the guys to figure out that they had a knack for making beer. The guys named themselves Angry Union Brewery after the City of Hollywood declared financial urgency, putting their salaries in jeopardy.
Soon the beers were winning awards. Their stout took first place in last year's Grovetoberfest and their beer took second place and people's choice at the recent Riverside Market home brew competition. Angry Union recently won the Paul and Yong Ron home brewer's competition and will be at Brew at the Zoo on Saturday, May 4.
See also:
- Angry Union Wins Paul and Young Ron's Home Brew Competition: See Them at Brew at the Zoo
Along with other home brewers like Two Live Brews and Invasive Species, Angry Union is cultivating a small but lively community of home brewers in south Florida, thus adding another artisan layer to the craft movement that's just starting to thrive in our part of the state.
Mark Fee
The most influential person in my career has been:
My wife.
When I'm alone and in need of comfort, (and no one is there to watch or judge) the one food or drink I turn to is:
Homemade chocolate chip cookies.
What does South Florida need more of?
Music festivals and beer festivals.
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it?
Mango Salsa Fish Tacos.
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name and what do you serve?
Angry Union Brewery. We'd serve craft beer and authentic South Florida cuisine.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Making large quantities of award-winning beers.
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting?
All the Victoria's Secret models.
Eric Guerrero
The most influential person in my career has been:
Myself.
When I'm alone and in need of comfort, (and no one is there to watch or judge) the one food or drink I turn to is:
Dah.... beer!
What does South Florida need more of?
Brew pubs.
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it?
Crappy beer.
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name and what do you serve?
Angry Union brewing. It's casual dining (pizza, wings, burgers) with amazing beer.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Beers on a shelf and running a brewery.
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting?
John F Kennedy; LT Michael Murphy(Navy Seal); Sam Calagione( from Dogfish Head); General Schwarzkopf; and Andy Rooney.
Jeff Evans
The most influential person in my career has been:
Me.
When I'm alone and in need of comfort, (and no one is there to watch or judge) the one food or drink I turn to is:
Beer.
What does South Florida need more of?
Brew pubs or micro breweries.
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it?
Energy drinks.
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name and what do you serve?
Angry Union Brewing, serving micro brews.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Having a nationally marketed product.
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting?
My dad; Colonel Chestypuller; Jesus; Gandhi; Saddam Hussein; and Abe Lincoln.
New Times' Best Of Broward-Palm Beach 2013 issue arrives June 13. To celebrate, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up 30 of our favorite tastemakers -- restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders, and other foodies who make the South Florida food scene what it is. We'll start with number 30 and lead up to South Florida's number one. All previous 2013 Tastemakers are listed below.
30. Robyn Almodovar of Palate Party Food Truck
29. Chris and Jordan Bellus of Laser Wolf
28. Fulvio Sardelli of Sardelli's Italian Steakhouse
27. Brett Chiavari of BC Tacos
26. Mike Halker of Due South Brewing
25. Chrissy Benoit of the Little House Boynton Beach
24. Dean Max of DJM Restaurants
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
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