Tag Archives: cider

Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks expands distribution in South Florida

Press Release: Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks is excited to announce a new distribution partnership with Beerstream Distributors. This new partnership is expected to increase availability in existing and new markets across South Florida.

Accomplice Brewery and Ciderworks has been in commercial production since June 2015. It is South Florida’s first ciderworks and offers an innovative take on ciders. Cider is relatively new on the South Florida craft beverage scene, Accomplice offers an alternative to beer with a naturally gluten-free apple cider product that is not overly sweet. “We are seeking to produce a product that distances itself from existing ciders on the market by being distinctively different, fresh and high quality,” said Matt Stetson, head cidermaker and co-owner of Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks.

Beerstream Distributors is a boutique distributor focused on local brands that can shape the future of South Florida’s rising craft landscape. Besides Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks, the brand also represents Hollywood Brewing and recently acquired Devour Brewing Company. “Beerstream Distributors has spent the last 11 months building its infrastructure and account list throughout Broward and Dade Counties, “ said Brett Hubbard, Director of Sales at Beerstream Distributors, “The recent move into Palm Beach County will open up a market for new acquisitions to thrive.”

Cajun Cafe on the Bayou Cider & Mead Festival is pouring soon

Cajun Cafe on the Bayou is well-known for world-class beer festivals. Festivals at the Cajun Cafe boast short lines for a pour and great company and conversation in addition to outstanding food on the day of the event and beyond. In 2015, Cajun Cafe began a new festival during the fleeting winter weeks of the new year: a cider and mead festival. In typical Cajun Cafe style, owner Paul Unwin has been busy stocking up for festival day and he has racked up an attendance list as well.

In some recent posts, Cajun Cafe has confirmed:

* Perennial Florida resident Brad Dahlofer, owner of B. Nektar Meadery and Cidery, will be present, pouring for his company.
* Frank Retell, the mazer at Kuhnhenn Winery & Brewery, will be pouring Kuhnhenn meads (native to Michigan, no distribution in Florida).
* Garagiste Meadery in Apollo Beach, Florida will attend and pour their meads.
* Kent Waldeck, owner of Crafted Meadery in Ohio, will be present and pouring meads.
* Timo Krjukoff, owner of Sahtipaja Brewing in Gothenburg, Sweden, has sent along two meads for festivalgoers to try.

These folks and their fine meaderies join along with a collection of other cideries and meaderies being represented from around the world.

The Cajun Cafe Cider & Mead Festival will take place on 6 February, 2016 from 2-6pm at Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, 8101 Park Boulevard North in Pinellas Park.

Engine 15 Ciders & Meads is born

In a time when cider and mead are both growing categories in the world of adult beverages, another Florida craft brewery has joined the ranks of Cigar City Brewing and Green Bench Brewing Company as combination brewers and makers of honey wine & fermented apple elixir.

From the Engine 15 newsletter:

Engine 15 will begin production of ciders and meads at our downtown location. We will be initially producing a dry cider to be followed by flavored ciders. Mead will be available approximately 6-9 months after startup of operations due to its lengthy aging time.

We will have these products for sale in our Jax Beach taproom as well as in distribution here in the Jacksonville area with Champion Brands as the wholesaler. Cider will be available in 1/2, 1/6 Kegs for distribution and Draft and bottles here.

We are still awaiting final approval from the federal regulators before startup, we anticipate initial product available in February. Since Cider and Mead are technically wine we are required to have additional licensing.

Congratulations to Engine 15 for this next step in expanding their footprint.

Cajun Cafe on the Bayou’s Cider and Mead Fest is coming soon

Cajun Cafe on the Bayou of Pinellas Park is known for some incredible beer and food. The Pinellas is renowned for its beer and food, preferring the friendly confines of an airy patio over a few pints paired with great food. The respected restaurant is also known for putting on some of the best beer festivals that Florida has to offer. Well, in 2015, Cajun Cafe is trying something new: a Cider and Mead Festival.

The Inaugural Cajun Cafe Cider and Mead Festival will take place this weekend at 8101 Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park from 2-6pm. Local cider and mead producers will be on hand as well.

From the Cider and Mead Festival Page:

For all you Cider and Mead fans and for those of you who are just curious–tickets are on sale now at ETIX.COM!

Close to 100 Ciders & Meads to taste!
Beautiful setting on Cross Bayou, with a beer-garden atmosphere, 90% Under Cover
Cajun Plate and lots of other food included
Souvenir Tasting Glass
Dunedin Doggie Rescue Fundraiser will be hosted at the event! Fun raffles and prizes!

Pre-Sale TICKETS available at ETIX.com for $55. Admission at the gate: $70
Designated Drivers — $15 at the gate

Please drink responsibly. No one under 21 admitted.

Total Ticket Sales limited to 400

Terms and conditions subject to change without notice.

Accomplice Brewery has a location

Accomplice Brewery is looking to bring a different kind of beer to South Florida. In a market that is full of talented brewers, Accomplice Brewery wants to bring gluten-free beer and ciders to South Florida and beyond, and to that end the crew has secured a facility.

Accomplice Brewery co-owner Felonice Merriman confirmed that a location has been secured and the next step now is a wait for licensing.

According to a Broward Palm Beach New Times article, once the brewery is operational, folks can expect “a first-run production to include his favorite recipes, including: Chisel (a mocha brown ale); Wing Ding (an 80-calorie per 12-ounce serving session ale); and Paddywagon (an Irish amber ale). Like the brewery name, the beers’ names follow the same theme: a “chisel” is a cheater, a “paddy wagon” was the name for the truck originally used to clean the drunks out of the Irish Bars in the cities, while a “wing ding” is a term originally used by hobos to describe a party or celebration.”

Florida Beer Company brings Kelly’s Hard Cider to Tampa

Kelly’s Hard Cider, the first cidery in Florida, will be coming back to the Tampa market in January of 2014.

Kelly’s Hard Cider is a traditional cider combining imported apple juice, Champagne yeast, malic acid, cane sugar, and water to produce both a traditional and a raspberry hard cider. According to its label, Kelly’s is “crisp, refreshing dry beverage with a clean finish.”

Florida Beer Company representative Tom Barris had promised: “We will be updating the label and image of the brand along with a few cider events showcasing Cider Firkins and promoting our cider heritage here in FL.”

Kelly’s Cider has won numerous medals in its day, including a Gold Medal at the NABA (National American Brewers’ Association) in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and Silver in 2011.

Kelly’s info, events, and tappings will be featured as soon as they become available.

Southern Brewing expands cider and mead operations

Press Release:

Southern Brewing & Winemaking (Southern) is the only brewery in the Tampa Bay area that offers both craft beers and craft ciders and meads made on site.

Southern is unique because it holds licenses for both brewing and winemaking, which allows the company more room for creativity and experimentation.

Although Southern has been making ciders and meads onsite for almost a year, the company recently increased its production in order to include a full-time line-up of ciders and meads on tap. So far, Southern has produced over a dozen different styles of ciders and meads, and has around three ciders or meads on tap at all times.

One important aspect of offering ciders and meads in the taproom alongside beer is that it allows customers with a gluten intolerance to join and enjoy the craft movement. Most of the ciders and meads brewed at Southern are gluten-free, and all meads are made with local honey, sourced from farms in the Tampa area.

“We’ve all seen the explosion in craft beer over the last few years, but I think the next ‘big thing’ for craft drinkers will be meads and ciders,” stated Brian Wing, Cider and Mead Maker for Southern.

The company is already taking steps to expand its cider and mead offerings even further so that the taproom appeals equally to beer drinkers, cider drinkers, and wine drinkers.

“Our goal is to bring the three groups together and demolish the social lines between them,” stated Marketing Manager Cindy Lyons. “The idea is to create a seamless, cohesive atmosphere that encourages drinkers of all backgrounds to venture into new styles and cross genres.”

Wing uses a variety of interesting techniques that set the ciders and meads apart from most that are currently available in the United States.

“There aren’t a lot of meads available commercially here in Florida, and those that are can be high in alcohol and sweetness,” stated Wing. “I really enjoy making refreshing, light examples of the style…perfect for Florida, and a real change from what’s out there already.”

This year, Southern won a gold medal for its cider at the Best Florida Brewer’s Championship. It was the first cider to ever medal in the pro division at BFBC.