The buzz for Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park is getting more intense as time closes in on its official opening date, which begs the question: when is the opening?
"We're looking late May for an opening," said KC Sentz of the Funky Buddha to Brett Hubbard, host of the South Florida audio blog By The Glass Show at the New Times Beerfest. "We were looking for a late February, early March opening but with construction, new equipment and getting it installed, it's been a great ride."
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- Funky Buddha Lounge Expands Brewery to Oakland Park
- Funky Buddha Launches New Founder's Club
In late March they received their brewing equipment: a mash/lauter tun, brew kettle, four 60-barrel fermenters and a seven-barrel test batch system. They are currently being installed. Inside, the non-skid floor was recently laid, the piping for the glycol system (used to chill beer on the fly) is being installed and the custom-built back bar made from fallen cherry wood is nearing completion.
A tasting room will feature around 30 taps pouring Funky Buddha beer, which will include a growler-filling station. Two of their first flagship beers will be Hop Gun IPA and Floridian Hefeweizen.
It can be hard for the owner to predict the official opening date of their new brewery and this can be due to many factors, including construction contingencies, personnel matters and government bureaucracy. But Sentz said the city of Oakland Park has been particularly helpful.
"They have been incredibly over-the-top supportive," Sentz said.
The new brewery is part of a larger revitalization of the Oakland Park, which will include a culinary district.
This past Tuesday, the Funky Buddha opened up their new Founder's Club for membership. The cap on the membership is 155, but there are still 25 spots left available. Drop by their Boca Raton location to sign up, the cost is $150.
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