Jax qualifies for BeerCity USA, but the battle is not over yet

It was an epic battle; one that, though there were no real opponents, it looked as though we were not going to survive. At one point it looked as though we had already lost, then a reinterpretation of the rules took place and we ended up with two extra hours that we did not know we had. In those two extra hours we staged one of the most remarkable rallies ever witnessed on this field. In the end, we came out the other side as victors.

I refer to, of course, the quest for getting Jacksonville on the ballot for BeerCity USA. At times it looked as though there was no way we would make it. Our goal was to obtain 400 nominations by the close of the poll. With an hour to go we were still short over 60 nominations. But, through persistence and the help of other Jacksonville beer-lovers, we managed to cross the magic number of 400 with 13 minutes of poll time to spare. In the end, Jacksonville received 411 nominations, second behind Richmond, Va. which received 517.

But, the quest for BeerCity USA does not end there. Next week, beginning on Monday, May 13, we will have to rally our forces again for the actual voting on which city will be bestowed with the prestigious title of BeerCity USA.  In the running with us is the perennial favorite Asheville, NC. This passionate beer city has managed to win – or tie – for first place all four of the years the poll has been in existence. Our sacred quest now is to unseat the reigning champions and claim the title for our own.

Are we up to it? You bet!

Rally your friends, have them friend Springfield Brew Crew on Facebook, SprBrewCrew on Twitter, or follow this blog for updates. Then get them to vote. The rules are the same as for the poll: one vote per IP address. The city with the most votes will be crowned BeerCIty USA at the close of the poll on Saturday. May 18.

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• Second chance to get Jax on BeerCity USA ballot (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)
• Nominate Jacksonville for Beer City USA 2013 (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)
• Nominations open soon for Beer City USA; Let’s get Jacksonville on the ballot (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)
• Road Trip: Asheville – Beer City USA (myfox8.com)

 

Second chance to get Jax on BeerCity USA ballot

According to Charlie Papazian, the founder of the BeerCity USA contest the “…2013 “primary” poll is REOPENED due to possible poll related technical issues during the initial nomination period one week ago. Nominations for inclusion on the final BeerCity USA 2013 ballot are still being accepted through this nomination poll now through 3 p.m. Mountain Time, Saturday, May 4.”

The article, posted on Examiner.com yesterday goes on to say that several cities have already qualified. Unfortunately, Jacksonville is not among them. However, it is not too late. We can still get Jax on the ballot by voting through Saturday, May 4. The cites already nominated include:  Ann Arbor, MI; Asheville, NC; Bend, OR; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Durango, CO; Fort Collins, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Madison, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Missoula, MT; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix-Tempe-Scottsdale, AZ; Portland, OR; Raleigh, NC; San Diego, CA; St. Louis, MO; Tampa, FL.

This is our chance to rally and show the country that we have a vital beer scene here in Jacksonville. The implications of winning this contest run the gamut from increased national awareness of the quality brews we have here in town to increased tourism. Beer vacations are quickly becoming a popular activity. We can ensure that Jacksonville gets on the beer travel map by winning or showing well in this contest.

To vote follow this link https://polldaddy.com/poll/7075568/, scroll down and click in the circle next to Jacksonville. Then scroll down and click submit. You may only vote once per IP address, so be sure to pass this link on to your friends on Facebook and Twitter. I will provide a running total of votes we have over the next few days on my Facebook (Springfield Brew Crew and Jax Beer Guy) and Twitter (sprbrewcrew and JaxBeerGuy) feeds.

Let’s do this!

 

Beer, silly costumes, and running: Tap ‘n’ Run comes to Jacksonville

The Riverside area of Jacksonville has had a long and storied history. It was one of Jacksonville’s original suburbs, it was home to numerous characters both notable and notorious, and, in more recent years, it has become the center of the Jacksonville beer renaissance. The area boasts one of the highest concentrations of beer-centric businesses in the entire city and is the location a six-block stretch of King Street known as the King Street Beer District. Thirsty beer-aficionados can also belly up to the bar in Five Points at such establishments as The Derby, O’Brother’s, and Black Sheep.

But, Jacksonville has never seen the likes of the beer event that will be taking place on April 13, at 2:00 p.m. That is when the streets will be filled with hundreds of beer drinkers running for the love of beer. Some will be running for the beer, some will be running to show off their wild side, and some will be running – well, no one is really sure why some folks run in this event.

Outrageous costumes, beer chugging and foot racing will reign supreme as the Tap ‘N’ Run 4K makes its inaugural tap in Jacksonville. Tap ‘N’ Run 4K combines participants’ love of beer and running for a unique “one of a kind” run/walk race totaling 2.4 miles throughout Riverside/Avondale. Participants are encouraged to dress in costumes and run with teams, friends and family of legal drinking age. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local charity Girls Gone Green fronted by local meteorologist Julie Watkins of Action News Jax on channels 47 and 30. The Girls Gone Green as a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to making a positive difference in animal treatment, an exploited planet and unhealthy eating habits.

Operated by Louisville, KY-based JAM Active, Tap ‘N’ Run encourages participants to run, jog, walk, hop, skip or crawl to three different “chug stations” along the course. The “chug stations” will have participants chugging a four-ounce sample of beer before continuing along the race route. At the finish line, participants will receive a full beer and the chance to win one of many awards (including Best Mustache, Best Belcher, Most Original Team Concept, Hot Mess, among others) at the After Party.

“This will mark Tap ‘N’ Run’s first time in Jacksonville, and so far, the response has been strong,” said Matt Roberts, JAM Active Executive Director. “The allure of the event, some say, is the uniqueness of being able to drink mid-run. Other races have beer at the end, but Tap ‘N’ Run provides it right along the race route. It’s a ridiculously good time with friends, family, costumes, teams and of course, beer.”

The run will begin at O’Brother’s Pub at 1521 Margaret Street near Five Points and continue north on Margaret to Gilmore where it will take a left turn. From there runners will head to Acosta where they will again turn left. Another left on Haldumar Terrace and a quick right on to Barrs. From there it is a four block jaunt to Hershel. A left on Hershel puts runner into the finish stretch and a cold beer into sight. At the end of the run, participants will again gather at O’Brother’s for an after party replete with prizes and more beer.

The organizers of the event have provided a discount code for readers of this blog. When you register and checkout use the code “FRIENDOFBEER” and you will receive $5 off your registration fee. You can register for the run at http://www.tapnrun.com/Jacksonville/Register.php.

Dress in your craziest outfit, strap on your running shoes and prepare for a jog around one of Jacksonville’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Tap ‘n’ Run brings together two activities that seem to be mutually exclusive – running and beer drinking. But, it also promises to be more fun than, well just running or just drinking beer.

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Jax Beer Week is almost upon us

Last year the inaugural Jax Beer Week proved that Jacksonville is a town ready for a premier beer event. This year marks the event’s second year and finds a line-up of Tap takeovers, dinners, tastings and beer specials that is sure to please even the pickiest of beer aficionados.

While the list presented below is by no means comprehensive, you can get an idea for what is going on. Friend the Springfield Brew Crew or Jax Beer Guy on Facebook for details on new events as they become available. You can also follow Sprbrewcrew or JaxBeerGuy on Twitter.

Monday, April 1

Pele’s Wood Fire

The ever creative Chef Micah at Pele’s Wood Fire is throwing down a with a sumptuous meal paired with Bell’s Brewery beers. The Dinner features seven courses paired with seven delicious Bell’s beers.

Cost for this spectacular meal is $75 per person including tax and gratuity. Non-refundable deposit of $25 per person is required. For reservations call (904)232-8545. Only 40 seats are available, so reserve early.

Brewer’s Pizza 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Brewer’s will host a night with Grassroots Natural Market. The guys from Grassroots of Riverside will come out and drink some brews, rub elbows and pour some beers for sampling.

Tuesday, April 2

Brewer’s Pizza 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Florida Beer night with special guest Carolyn Graham from Brown Distribution. Brewer’s will be featuring taps from all of their favorite local breweries and others from all over Florida.

Beer Specials

Solids & Stripes, Mellow Mushroom – Fleming Island, and Taps – Fleming Island

Wednesday, April 3

Beer Specials

Aardwolf Brewing Co., Grape & Grain Exchange, The Grotto, Hurricanes, European Street – San Marco, Northstar Substation, Underbelly, Burro Bar, 1904, Burrito Gallery, Fionn MacCools – Landing, Olio

Thursday, April 4

Dahlia’s Pour House

The gang at Dahlia’s will be offering thirsty Jax Beer Week revelers $4 IPAs.

Bold City Brewing Co. 7:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m.

The crew at Bold City are treating their guests to a Florida Tap Takeover featuring spectacular brews from across the great state of Florida. The tap list includes:

Cask & Larder                         Black Ale (Winter Park, FL)

Big Storm Brewery                  Wavemaker Amber Ale (Odessa, FL)

Due South Brewing                  Roasted Cocoa Stout (Boynton Beach, FL)

7venth Sun Brewing                Graffiti Orange (Dunedin, FL)

Tequesta Brewing Company    Terminally Ale and Irish Red Ale (Tequesta, FL)

Cigar City Brewing                  Humidor Series IPA (Tampa, FL)

Pensacola Bay Brewing           Lil’ Napoleon IPA (Pensacola, FL)

Florida Beer Company             Gaspar’s Porter (Melbourne, FL)

Grassroots Natural Market 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Grassroots will host a Jacksonville Beer Tasting featuring Ben Davis owner and brewer at Intuition Ale Works who will bring a special cask brew. Also at the tasting will be a cask brew from Green Room Brewing in Jacksonville Beach.

Beer Specials

Intuition Ale Works, Kickbacks Gastropub, Pele’s Wood Fire, Broudy’s, Beer:30, European Street Riverside, Black Sheep Restaurant, O’Brother’s

Friday, April 5

Green Room Brewing Co. 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight

Florida Mega Tap Takeover with over 50 Florida beers. Breweries that will be represented at the event include:

Cigar City Brewing 7venth Sun Due South Brewing Swamp Head Brewing Saint Somewhere Pensacola Bay Brewery Tequesta Brewing Intuition Ale Works Pinglehead Brewing Co. Mile Marker Brewing Engine 15 Brewing Co. Cocoa Beach Brewing Three Palms Brewing Florida Beer Company And more…..

Also 17 Green Room Brewing beers on tap including:

Quetzalcoatl Many versions of the Count And much more

Engine 15 Brewing Co. 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight

The Engine 15, Engine 15 Tap Takeover. The guys at the Engine have been working hard to make this year’s Jax Beer Week event special. What better way to do that than to take over all their taps with all their own beers – 51 of them to be precise, plus one in a firkin.

Beer Specials

Mellow Mushroom – Southside, Seven Bridges, Total Wine + More, Broudy’s – Ponte Vedra, Monkey’s Uncle, European Street – Jax Beach, Mellow Mushroom – Jax Beach, Lynch’ Irish Pub, The Brick, Royal Palm Village, Island Girl, ABC Liquor, Wine Warehouse, Poe’s

Saturday, April 6

Grand Tasting 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

The culmination of Jax Beer Week is the Grand Tasting that will take place downtown in conjunction with Community First Saturday in front of the Times-Union Center on the Northbank Riverwalk. The tasting will feature over 30 beers including many from Florida. Also enjoy the Food Truck Skyway Crawl and live music.

Bands and performance times are:

12:30 p.m.       Canary in the Coalmine

1:30 p.m.         RickoLus

2:45 p.m.         Four Families

DJ E. Lee 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., between sets, and 3:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m.

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• Nominations open soon for Beer City USA; Let’s get Jacksonville on the ballot (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)
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Nominations open soon for Beer City USA; Let’s get Jacksonville on the ballot

Jacksonville is a beer city. You know this and I know this. But, alas, the world does not know this. Last year for the Beer City USA competition we managed to get our city by the sea on the ballot for the illustrious title. We will have to come together and work to get our budding beer-topia on the ballot again this year.

Every year, for the past four years, the competition for Beer City USA opens up. The competition is less of a scientific poll and more of a popularity contest. Never-the-less, it is a fiercely fought contest that cities across the country covet. Charlie Papazian, the founder of the American Homebrewers Association and the Association of Brewers which later became the Brewers Association, thought up the contest to bring attention to the many communities that host craft breweries.

For the past four years Asheville, NC has reigned as either the sole or co-Beer City USA. And the craft brewing community seems to have taken notice. The mountain community, with its funky, off-beat vibe has become a sort of Eastern United States epicenter of beer. So much so that the big boys of the craft brewing industry have made in-roads to the area by opening or announcing to open several new, East Coast breweries. Oskar Blues, the innovative brewery from Colorado, has already opened a brewery in the area and will soon be joined by Sierra Nevada and New Belgium.

Jacksonville has the potential to be another beer hub for the eastern portion of the country. We already have an astoundingly good collection of breweries. In all the Jacksonville – St. Augustine – Gainesville area hosts 13 breweries and there are several more in the planning stages. That number rivals the number in Asheville and many of the other cities that are perennials on the Beer City USA ballot. Surely, a city with so many breweries and by default beer-lovers should be on the ballot. And, once on the ballot, we have to make a good showing.

In order to get on the ballot for Beer City USA, Jacksonville beer-lovers will have to suggest our city when nominations open April 22-26. As the time gets closer, I will post information on where to make your nomination and, once we get Jacksonville on the ballot, where to vote. Be sure to follow this blog, friend me on Facebook (sprbrewcrew) like the Jax Beer Guy on Facebook and follow both JaxBeerGuy and Sprbrewcrew on Twitter. You can also keep up to date on developments via The Brews News email newsletter that you can subscribe to at http://www.JaxBeerGuy.com.

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