It's a pairing you'll only find at Colada's one-year anniversary party taking place Saturday, May 7, starting at noon. The event is gearing up to be a food and craft beer extravaganza, says co-owner Ryan Campbell, with a number of specialty craft beer tappings, unlimited food samples, and a chance to try the eatery's well-known bottomless mimosas and sangria a day earlier than usual.
The party is a true celebration for Colada founders Ryan Campbell and Alex Recio, friends and South Florida natives who were inspired by Hollywood's Miramar Bakery — a 30-year-old eatery that Recio's father purchased almost eight years ago — to build their now successful Colada located in Fort Lauderdale's Flagler Village.
See also: Colada Cuban Coffee House & Eatery Coming to Fort Lauderdale
"There's no combination of school, work, or life experience that fully prepares you for the challenges and obstacles of opening your own business, particularly in this industry," says Campbell. "I can honestly say that opening Colada and making it through our first year has been one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences of my life. The most rewarding part, by far, has been the culture of family that has coalesced around us."
A $30-per-person wristband will get you access to the special event, where you'll be able to snack on unlimited samples of some of the most popular Colada menu items while trying a number of
The party menu includes four varieties of mini empanadas they'll be passing around, flavors like chorizo y papas,
Yes, beer lovers, this is one event you won't want to miss. The tap list features a number of specialty releases and new treatments from several local breweries including Fort Lauderdale's 3 Sons Brewing, Flagler Village Brewery, Oakland Park's Funky Buddha Brewing, Boca Raton's Barrel of Monks, Miami's Wynwood Brewing, Tampa's Cigar City, and Maine's Peak Organics.
Here's a lineup of what they'll be pouring:
3 Sons Brewing
Sour lovers will want to keep an eye out for limited release brews like 3 Sons Boysen Tha Hood boysenberry
Funky Buddha
Funky Buddha will have a few specialty shout-outs during the event with a never-before-seen pouring of its barrel-aged Imperial Chocwork Orange imperial milk porter, Wide Awake It's Morning and French Toast, and a possible early
Barrel of Monks
Barrel of Monks will keep it fun and fresh with Rumpelstiltskin, a rum barrel-aged version of its S'Tart lambic, as well as a special debut you'll only find at the Colada one-year event. The only info the brewery is giving away: It's all about guava, a fitting flavor pairing for the original Colada bakery-turned-eatery that was founded by serving some of the best guava pastries in South Florida.
Wynwood Brewing
The Wynwood-Based brewer will be offering its Samoa Cookie, a new treatment of the brewery's award-winning Pop's porter. It'll also be doing a live treatment of its La Rubia blonde ale. Yes, a live treatment, meaning event-goers get to vote via social media on what they want to drink. Options include raspberry, vanilla cheesecake,
Peak Organic
The organic brewing operation based in Portland, Maine, will be delivering a special keg of their Espresso amber ale and Pomegranate Wheat, two options you don't often see around these parts.
In addition to the specialty food and drink, the one-year Colada anniversary event will also feature live music, raffles, giveaways, free massages — and did we mention lots of really, really good beer?
A portion of all proceeds (as well as the money raised in the raffle) will go to benefit Deliver the Dream, a local nonprofit that provides support for families undergoing crisis or chronic illness.
But don't forget what we're really celebrating here: a successful first year for a business built by a pair of South Floridians under 30.
"All of those people have made us part of their lives, which is why we work so hard every day to show our appreciation," says Campbell. "That's really what Colada is all about. We're not doing it to make money. We're doing it to show appreciation for everyone who has helped make our dream possible."
The Colada one-year anniversary is from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. Advanced ticket purchase is $30 per person at the store, online via the SpeedETab application, or by calling the restaurant at 954-368-4705. Tickets are $35 per person at the door. The first 100 people to purchase tickets will receive a free Colada glass for sampling beer and sangria. Event wristbands will also get you a free "Colada Chata" shot at nearby Rhythm & Vine after the event, or $2 off well liquor drinks at Brass Tap. Colada is located at 525 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-368-4705, or visit coladahouse.com.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.