WaZoo roars into Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo this weekend

Press Release: The 21st annual WaZoo BeerFest, presented by J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc., is springing forward to May 7 with new twists on tap for this favorite fundraiser. All-inclusive tickets are now on sale at www.LowryParkZoo.org/WaZoo or at the Zoo’s ticket windows during regular business hours.
WaZoo features 250+ beers and beverages from 70 breweries worldwide, a variety of savory pub fare, live entertainment and free daytime admission to return in May. Ticket prices are all-inclusive; pay once and enjoy unlimited tastings and entertainment! Advance general admission tickets are $65 (through May 6) and VIP Beastly Beer Club tickets are $125 until sold out. Zoo Annual Members can purchase discounted general admission tickets of $50 (through May 6) with valid membership card at the Zoo’s ticket windows.

New this year, the footprint of the event has expanded to include more areas of the Zoo which will be accessible to all guests. A select number of animal habitats will be available for viewing, weather permitting. In addition, “animal ambassadors” will welcome guests and there will be fun outdoor games like corn hole scattered throughout.

WaZoo Glass

Also on tap this year, the Zoo is taking the VIP Beastly Beer Club to a whole new level. The VIP Club is an exclusive experience that takes place inside the Zoo’s Safari Lodge events pavilion — the premier air-conditioned space at the event. VIP guests will have the opportunity to meet Florida craft beer brewmasters, enjoy beer and food parings, discover exclusive brews, and sit back and relax with live music. VIP tickets include access to all event areas and early entry. The number of VIP Club tickets available has been significantly reduced to provide a more exclusive experience.
The Zoo gratefully acknowledges presenting sponsor J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc., for making this event possible. Proceeds of the event benefit animal care, education programs and global conservation initiatives of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. For more, visit www.LowryParkZoo.org/WaZoo or the WaZoo Facebook page.

Wazoo Hand

About Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in education, conservation and research. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is featured among the “Top 25 Zoos in the U.S” by TripAdvisor (2015). The Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, one mile west of I-275 (exit 48) and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Visit www.LowryParkZoo.org or call (813) 935-8552 for information. Also find the Zoo on Facebook and Twitter.

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Saltwater Brewery adds new distribution territory

Saltwater Brewery, a micro-brewery with tasting room, today announced a partnership with Florida Distributing Company (FDC) and J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc. (J.J. Taylor), expanding distribution to Tampa, Orlando and the surrounding areas, as well as the market launch of its second canned product, Sea Cow Milk Stout.

Look for Saltwater Brewery beer on tap and in cans in the following counties:

FDC: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole
J.J. Taylor: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Henry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Pasco,Pinellas, Sarasota
Brown Distributing: Broward, Dade, Indian River, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, St. Lucie

“FDC and J.J. Taylor have great reputations in the distribution arena and are well respected in the beer community,” said Bo Eaton, Head of Sales and Co-Founder of Saltwater Brewery. “Their enthusiasm for our brand has made us very excited to partner with them.”

The company also released their second canned beer, Sea Cow Milk Stout, following the launch of their Screamin’ Reels IPA in August 2015. One of the only Milk Stouts in the market available in a can, Sea Cow is characterized as dark, roasty and sweet, with 6% ALC/VOL and 38 IBUs.

Saltwater Brewery’s brand and lifestyle revolves around the ocean, which extends to their charitable giving. “We look forward to working with locally based charity chapters such as The Ocean Foundation and Surfrider Foundation in the Orlando and Tampa areas,” said Chris Gove, President and Co-Founder.

Sea Cow Milk Stout will be available throughout Saltwater Brewery’s new and current distribution territory. The team is planning to continue expansion later this year, and will also can additional styles such as Locale, Wheat Wave and limited releases.

About Saltwater Brewery
Founded in December 2013 by a team of native Floridians, Saltwater Brewery is Delray Beach’s first local production microbrewery with tasting room. Using only pure ingredients, each style of handcrafted beer and corresponding name is inspired by the ocean. The company brewed nearly 2,000 bbl in 2015 and donates a portion of proceeds to ocean-related charities. 12 different styles are typically available in the tasting room, including Chocolate Mayday and Don’t Get Confused, while six primary beers, including Screamin’ Reels IPA and Sea Cow Milk Stout, are distributed.

Three Palms inks new distribution deal with J.J. Taylor

Press Release:

J.J. Taylor Distributing of Florida, Inc. is pleased to announce the future distribution partnership with Three Palms Brewing located in East Tampa, near Brandon, Florida. Three Palms beer will initially be available in the five counties surrounding the brewery: Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota.

Still a relatively young brewery, Three Palms Brewing was one of the first production craft breweries to open in the Tampa Bay area. Established two-and-a-half years ago, Three Palms is the absolute definition of nano-brewery. Their beers are crafted in 145-gallon batches and generally yield little more than 20 kegs, 1/6bbl at a time.

Before taking his hobby and passion into a professional platform, Three Palms Brewery owner Randy Reaver was an avid home brewer. Randy copiously experimented with a variety of traditional and non-traditional beer ingredients alike.

Randy states, “Three Palms Brewing is the expression of thoughts, feelings and experiences from various moments in our life. The beers that we brew and the names associated, are largely based on an eclectic combination of people we have known or met through the years, mixed genres of music from our past, creative imagination and numerous life experiences. Three Palms Brewing appreciates the opportunity and is looking to building a long and healthy partnership with J.J. Taylor.”

“The innovative and flexible spirit that Randy and his beers exude is an exciting edition to the J.J. Taylor FL portfolio.” Says Matt Abdoney, Craft Specialty and Import Brand and Marketing Manager for J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. “Nano style brewing is after all, the catalyst and lifeblood of much of craft beer’s research and development. We at J.J. Taylor are indeed looking forward to our future partnership with Three Palms Brewing.”

The Three Palms beer brands that will most prevalently be offered to retail market will be:

Zip Zag Berliner Weisse

An extremely drinkable wheat beer that will make you pucker. A tart, clean, dry and refreshing brew with a light body and lemony finish. 3.5% ABV

* Zip Zag will be the foundation for many Florida Weisse brands, including Sour Grape Florida Weiss & a cranberry adaptation.

Going The Distance Session India Pale Ale

An amazingly aromatic & extremely sessionable IPA. Bold notes of pine and citrus with a medium body and semi-dry finish. 3.7% ABV

Sir Albert’s Reserve

A velvety yet full-bodied American Double Stout with lush notes of chocolate, coffee and semi-sweet finish. 9.4% ABV

Hot Schtuff

A medium to full-bodied confectionary-style dessert Stout that boasts notes of brown sugar, cinnamon and a subtle kick of ghost pepper with a sweet and spicy finish. 7.8% ABV

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Congratulations to JJ Taylor for being honored as Craft Beer Distributor of the Year

Press Release:

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) jointly presented the 2014 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year award to J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. of Tampa, FL at the Great American Beer Festival® in Denver, CO.

The award, now in its eighth year, recognizes an American beer distributor who goes above and beyond in their efforts to actively market, sell and promote craft beer. When considering distributors for the Award, the NBWA & BA most heavily measure the following: the distributors overall long term commitment to the Craft beer category, distributor Craft beer portfolio growth trends (particularly within the last 12 months), general brewery & brand portfolio management, creative outside marketing of the Craft beer category at retail, innovation in creating portfolio and brewery awareness using digital resources and interaction with the Craft beer consumers & retailers in their marketplace.

Of the 3,300 beer distributors located in the United States in 2014, only 40 were nominated for the prestigious honor. The Award is known as the foremost industry recognition that a Craft beer distributor can receive. “Beer distributors like J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc… are providing a valuable service by giving craft brewers a presence in the marketplace. These awards recognize the creativity, innovation and specialized services independent beer distributors are providing on behalf of small and independent brewers.” Charlie Papazian, Brewers Association President. J.J. Taylor was previously honored with the 2011 Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award.

Jay Martin, President & General Manager of J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. stated, “We are honored and humbled by this recognition. It is a tribute to our People and Portfolio of brands, both of which are the best in the business. And it’s an exclamation point on our Mission, to be the ‘First Choice in beer distributors for our employees, customers and suppliers.’”

J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. is the second largest volume beer distributor in the State of Florida with sales centers located in Tampa, Ft. Myers, Ft. Pierce and Sebring. It employs 690 Florida residents and will distribute approximately 20 million cases of beer in 2014. Currently J.J. Taylor offers over 850 brands to retailers in their 17 Florida County footprint and is projected to sell over 2.1 million cases of Craft beer in 2014.

J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida is partnered in the distribution & marketing of many of the world’s most notable Craft breweries including: Boston Beer Company, New Belgium Brewing, Cigar City Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Florida Beer Company, Bell’s Brewery, Inc., Abita Brewing Company and Harpoon Brewery to name a few. In all, J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. represents 41 American Craft breweries including 8 of the 10 largest production Craft breweries and 14 of the top 25 in the US (only 18 of the top 25 are in the state of FL).

Of the many great Local breweries that reside within Florida, J.J. Taylor proudly represents 15 of Florida’s foremost innovative Craft breweries including: Cigar City Brewing, Florida Beer Company, JDub’s Brewing Company, Orange Blossom Brewing Co., Dunedin Brewery, St. Pete Brewing Company, Two Henry’s Brewing Company, Intuition Ale Works, Saint Somewhere Brewing Company, Concrete Beach Brewery, Brew Bus Brewing, Rock Brothers Brewing, Native Brewing Co., Inlet Brewing Co. and Holy Mackerel Brewing.

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Red, White, and Craft Brews returns to Largo

J.J. Taylor and The Armed Forces History Museum, a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization is holding its 3rd Annual Red, White and Craft Brews Fest.

This year, the event is expanding to include live music, outdoor food trucks with beer pairing, cheese and beer pairing, specialty and rare beer tasting, a photo booth and more.

The event will have 75 Craft and Specialty brands including many favorites from Cigar City, Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas, and more.

The admission is only $25 and guests can tour the museum (regular adult admission is $17.95) and sample beer.

Red, White, and Craft Brews and the Armed Forces History Museum are located at 2050 34th Way North in Largo.

Two Henrys Brewing signs for distribution

Two Henrys Brewing Company of Plant City, the craft brewery on the same premises as Keel and Curley Winery, has signed for distribution with J.J. Taylor.

From J.J. Taylor:

The first two core brands that J.J. Taylor will selectively introduce to market will be:

> Two Henry’s 7 Mile Bridge IPA, 6% ABV
> Two Henry’s The Gilded Age Golden Lager, 4.5% ABV

Look for Two Henry’s Brewing Co. beers to first begin appearing on draft in the bars and restaurants of Hillsborough, Pasco & Pinellas counties.