Continuing the trend in showing that Florida is no longer the craft beer wasteland that it used to be, Boulevard Brewing Company this month will be entering our state's markets.
For anyone that's traveled to the midwest, Boulevard is a mainstay brewery that slings some highly rated brews out of its Kansas City, Missouri brewery. In fact, they just landed a bronze medal at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival for Saison-Brett in the French- and Belgian-Style Saison category, and a bronze for ZON Belgian-Style Witbier in the Belgian-Style Witbier category. High ratings and awards.
So what's in store for beer lovers palates?
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To start, a range of India Pale Ales that encompass a range of flavors from the session IPA Pop-Up (full aroma, but lacking in body), the standard Single Wide IPA (sort of a blend of a west and east coast IPA), and the big and bold Double Wide I.P.A., a big IPA that actually keeps a fair amount of grassy hops with its higher malt and alcohol content.
The biggest standout by far is Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale, a standout in the saison market. Dry and effervescent, it's a prime example of an American saison. The Unfiltered Wheat Beer and 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer round out the standard offerings, with 80-Acre bringing an interesting orange juice like flavor mix to the table, featuring a big citrus hop aroma and a juicy, almost lemony body.
Luckily, there are a few locations in Broward and Palm Beach where Boulevard will be available starting today. On October 6th, the Brass Tap in Boynton Beach will have their launch event, with bottles of Love Child scheduled to be on offer.
Then, on Tuesday, October 7, starting at 7 p.m., Fort Lauderdale's Riverside Market will be hosting a launch party, including swag (free stuff!) from the brewery.
"Boulevard Brewing has been a long time favorite," Riverside Market owners Julian and Lisa Siegel said in a release promoting the event. "We are thrilled to be part of their journey and introduce them to the ever growing South Florida craft beer community. Join us for this milestone and indulge in some amazing ales. Boulevard, we are not just in Kansas anymore!"
[We were provided samples from the brewery.]
Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Instagram.
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