Tap 42 creative director Lauren Bowen knows what she's talking about when she talks beer. And when she talks beer, she's talking 'bout the good stuff; craft brews.
"Once you go craft, you never go back," she said with a laugh during a recent phone interview. A previously scheduled conversation had been rescheduled because her work duties had required a visit to Due South Brewing Co. in Boynton Beach. She'd traveled up there for a pickup and stuck around to help the Due South crew bottle some beer: A completely legit excuse for a missed date, if ever one did exist. (Word to the wise: Bowen predicts the brewery's recently released Category 5 IPA is "gonna take Fort Lauderdale by storm.")
This week, Bowen has planned a few special events at Tap 42 in her continuing efforts to expose even more folks in South Florida to the appeal of the craft beer movement.
The first is Tuesday night's Dogfish Head Tap Takeover, which Bowen said will be the biggest tap takeover the bar/restaurant has hosted to date. Thus far, at least 14 of Dogfish's brews are scheduled to appear, with everything from familiar favorites like 60 Minute IPA and 90 Minute IPA, to specialty and limited brews like Bitches Brew (an intense stout that enjoys a passionate following in the craft community), Sah-Tea, and the much-sought-after 120 IPA. Given the season, count on Punkin Ale to make an appearance.
The event started out as a release party for Positive Contact, Bowen said. From there, it built momentum into a celebration of Dogfish's diverse line. The brewery has been a major player in the craft beer scene, thanks in no small part to its willingness to take a few risks.
"The brewery is very outlandish...they brew such cool things and they're really involved on Twitter and Instagram," Bowen said. The tap takeover runs from open to close on Tuesday, and Bowen is preparing special touches -- like cookies in the shape of Dogfish Head's logo and various Dogfish Head giveaways -- for the event.
Dogfish's Punkin Ale also will be on the menu for Sunday's Pumpkin and Pints, as will a whole bunch of other pumpkin-enhanced beverages. The pumpkin carving and beer drinking festivities begin at 7 p.m. on the patio. There's a contest for the best carved pumpkin and prizes include a $100 Tap 42 gift card for first place, and Tap 42 merch for second place. Bring your own pumpkin (your best bet) or buy one at the bar. There will even be a limited supply of carving tools to borrow. As you gut the pumpkin, sip on fall brews like Souther Tier PumKing, Shipyard Pumpkinhead, and Terrapin Pumpkinfest.
Follow @ CleanPlateBPB
