In a first for #FloridaBeerFriday, I'm going to be checking out two beers at once! Luckily, though, they will not be consumed or mixed together.
As many of you beer aficionados may know, this Saturday, June 11 is Funky Buddha Brewery's third year anniversary festival taking place at Jaco Pastorius Park in downtown Oakland Park from 2 to 10 p.m. During this time, they will be releasing a couple of new beers that will interest any lover of the craft.
First up is the Three Years & Brewing Anniversary IPA, an India pale ale brewed with Mosaic and Vic Secret hops, a dosing of real mango, and fermented with Champagne yeast. This is a beer in which the hops and mango play a starring role. It's yellow in color, with a stark white head.
Aromas of fresh mango and starfruit come forth, with lots and lots of mango character evident. For those who enjoy fresh tropical fruits, but not specifically citrus, this will be yours to grab. The mouthfeel is light, with good carbonation, owing well to the effects of the Champagne yeast. On the palate, waxy citrus fruit begins up front and moves to a mild bitterness that lingers on. A straightforward malt character lets nothing get in the way of the fruit highlights.
The second beer being released is the Barrel-Aged Chocwork Orange, an Imperial milk porter brewed up with orange peel and cocoa nibs, then aged for six months in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. Yes, the Bardstown, Kentucky distillery's touches are all over this beer. It pours a thick black color that touches on brown at the edges, with a mocha head that wisps away.
Aromas of bourbon, wood, cocoa, and chocolate syrup dominate, with a hint of orange character coming out at the end that blossoms as it warms. This is a beer that is enjoyable throughout a wide range of temperatures. So sip slowly to enjoy fully. It has a larger-than-usual mouthfeel, most likely owing to the addition of lactose (or milk sugars), and has flavors that begins with chocolate that then bursts into a sweet orange flavor and then bursts back into chocolate and cocoa and richness. A mellowed bourbon kick permeates throughout.
If these two beers don't whet your cravings for something bold and... well, funky... then I don't know what to do with you.
These beers will be available in 22 ounce bottles at the Funky Buddha festival on Saturday June 11. They are touted as festival exclusives, so they may not be available anywhere else. According to the brewery, Three Years & Brewing Anniversary IPA will run $14 a bottle, limit
Funky Buddha Brewery is located at 1201 NE 38th St., Oakland Park. Call 954-440-0046, or visit funkybuddhabrewery.com. Learn more about Saturday's three year anniversary party here.
Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers. He is a Certified Beer Server and has been a homebrewer since 2009. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.
