Champion Brands Prepares for Future with New Corporate HQ

Champion Brands Prepares for Future with New Corporate HQ

“We’re Investing in our employees and the future of Champion Brands”

Jacksonville, FL -- Champion Brands, along with close to 100 guests, will celebrate the future, as they break ground on their new corporate HQ tomorrow, April 24, 2018 at 9:00 am. “We want our employees to have pride in their workplace, and create an environment that will foster collaboration, teamwork and room to grow in the future. When I purchased Champion Brands in 1985, there were 80 employees – we now have 300+,” said Earl Benton, CEO Champion Brands.

Notable Project Facts:

•         36,000 SF Tilt Wall Construction
•        Solar Rooftop and LED Lighting Throughout
•         Full Service Gym with Locker Rooms
•         State of the Art On-site Meeting Space for 250 In-door and Out-door Tap Rooms

Once the new HQ is completed (estimated Feb 2019), the vacated office space will eventually be demolished, for a 40,000 SF warehouse expansion. “We’re excited to be a part of Jacksonville’s continued growth,” said Benton.

The groundbreaking will be held at 5520 Florida Mining Boulevard South, Jacksonville, FL 32257 (off Shad Rd. and Florida Mining Blvd just past Champion’s existing facility on the left). The event begins at 8:30 am with guest registration and a light breakfast. The program will begin at 9:00 am. The event will conclude with the ceremonial “turning of the dirt” at approximately 9:30 a.m.

About Champion Brands

Champion Brands, Inc. is a Jacksonville based malt beverage distributor servicing six Northeast Florida counties. They currently represent 62 domestic and foreign breweries, several local craft breweries and Red Bull (Northeast Florida and 32 counties surrounding Savannah, Ga). They are celebrating 33 years in business www.championbrands.net

Contractor: SauerIncorporate Jacksonville

Architect: HHC

Follow Champion Brands on social media: Facebook @championbrandsinc Twitter @ChampionBrands Instagram @championbrands

Related: Earl Benton: A Green Champion for Beer

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony

Independent Craft Brewery Begins Construction in Heart of Ivanhoe Village

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, an independent craft brewery and tasting room in Orlando, Fla. hosted its groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, October 13, 2017. Mayor Buddy Dyer and Commissioner Robert Stuart both spoke at the event and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, which was a nice play on tradition. Mash paddles replaced shovels and, together, the group broke into a bed of hops, rather than dirt. The ceremony was well organized and displayed thoughtfulness and class--something to look forward to in their beers as well.

The brewery is targeting an open date of Spring 2018.

Located in Ivanhoe Village, one of Orlando’s Main Street districts, the brewery will open with a tasting room and distribution capacity of 1,450 barrels per year initially with significant room for expansion. 

Renderings of Ivanhoe Park Brewing released:

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company celebrates the pioneering spirit of early 20th century Lake Ivanhoe founder, George Russell. Ivanhoe Park previously served as home to beautifully lined orange groves and a pineapple farm, and was later named Joyland, an amusement and recreational park. To start, Ivanhoe Park Brewing will focus on three core beers offered year-round, in addition to other seasonal varieties, with names like Bungalower Belgian Witbier, Joyland IPA and Toboggan Blonde Ale to honor the area’s rich history.

Founded by Glenn Closson, former owner of Beach City Brewing in California (its assets were acquired by Beachwood Brewing when Closson relocated to Orlando), the brewery is funded by individual investors predominately based in Central Florida. Recent changes to Orlando’s City Planning regulations were the driving force that compelled Closson to open Ivanhoe Park Brewing.

“Changes allowing a 50/50 split between distribution and tasting room business paired with the immense support I would be receiving from the Orlando Main Street program and Ivanhoe Village were the catalysts to push me over the edge and open a brewery here after relocating from California,” said Closson. “I had launched a brewery from the ground up in California, starting as a home brewer, and after conducting market research, I determined Orlando provided the perfect conditions to open Ivanhoe Park Brewing.”

McCree General Contractor & Architects is leading the construction efforts and Ivanhoe Park Brewing is scheduled to open Spring 2018.

  

About Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company:

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery that celebrates the pioneering spirit of early 20th century Lake Ivanhoe founder, George Russell. Ivanhoe Park previously served as home to beautifully lined orange groves and a pineapple farm, and was later named Joyland, an amusement and recreational park. Connecting Orlando's illustrious past to our brewery’s commitment to community, education and the use of quality ingredients, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company seeks to make craft beer accessible and approachable. 

More photos from the groundbreaking ceremony:

A bed of hops for the groundbreaking ceremony

BrüMate | HOPSULATOR TRíO | Review

I recently discovered BrüMate's Hopsulator Trio via their Instagram account and immediately sought to get my hands on it to see if it worked as nice as it looked.

So, what is the Hopsulator Trio? According to the official description, the Hopsulator Trio is "the most functional drink accessory on the planet." It boasts a 3-in-1 design that combines a double-walled stainless steel and copper-layered pint glass that can hold 16oz of liquid or a 16oz "tallboy" can. To complete the trifecta, the Hopsulator Trio comes with a freezable insert that sits in the bottom of the can and acts as an arctic adapter to fit 12oz cans.

To start, I placed a cold 12oz can in the Hopsulator Trio and placed it in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the afternoon. The external temperature at the time of the test was 102°. From here, I will measure the temperature every 30 minutes for the next two hours. Why just two hours? Simple. If it takes you longer than that to finish your beer, or Arnold Palmer in this case, then you probably deserve to drink your beverage warm.

Now that the test is set up and external temperature recorded, I insert the can into the Hopsulator Trio, screw on the cap, and measure the starting temperature of the liquid. Let the test begin. Scroll down to see my findings.

Time: 1pm | Temperature of liquid: 38.8°

Time: 1:30pm | Temperature of liquid: 38.5°

After 30 minutes, the temperature actually went down slightly. My guess is this has to do with the frozen insert that the 12oz can rests on while inside the Hopsulator Trio.

Time: 2:00pm | Temperature of liquid: 41.8°

After a full hour, my beverage has warmed by nearly four degrees, but is still at a chilly 41.8°, which is more than 60 degrees cooler than the outside temperature at the moment.

Time: 2:30pm | Temperature of liquid: 46.9°

After an hour and a half in the blistering Florida sun, the Hopsulator Trio is keeping my beverage at 47 degrees, which also happens to be around the preferred serving temperature of most standard ales and lagers.

Time: 3:00pm | Temperature of liquid: 51.3°

Two hours after setting my beverage in the Hopsulator Trio under direct sun, the liquid inside is still chilled at 51 degrees! The temperature rose by 12.5 degrees in that span, which averages out to be about 3 degrees every 30 minutes. 

Final thoughts: The Hopsulator Trio has an attractive look and comfortable feel. As you can see from the pictures in this review, the device is well insulated and keeps your beverage ice cold. There is definitely great utility in this product and I have enjoyed being able to use it as both a koozie and a pint glass. I love the arctic insert and find that to be one aspect that truly sets the Hopsulator Trio apart in what is becoming a growing market for drink accessories. 

Recommend? Yes! The Hopsulator Trio is worth the $25 and will become your go-to drink holder. Use it for coffee in the morning, water at your desk, or beer by the water--the versatility of the Hopsulator Trio is a key selling point.

Here's a look at the Hopsulator Trio when used as a pint glass. The lid comes included.

Like what you just read? Let me know by connecting with the Beer Apostle on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter . If you end up purchasing your own Hopsulator Trio, be sure to let them know you read this review!

Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates Craft Beer Week with New Cask

To celebrate American Craft Beer Week, Carnival Cruise Line has created a tropical themed beer served exclusively on the Carnival Vista's RedFrog Pub & Brewery, the first aboard a North American-based cruise ship.

The beer, Miami Guava Wheat, is a tropical-flavored beer unveiled on Saturday, May 20 during a shipboard ceremony. I was in attendance for the event and was one of the first to try the beer after Brewmaster, Colin Presby and Vista Hotel Director, Pierre Camilleri, tapped the cask.

"Since Carnival Vista began sailing from Miami, I've become fascinated by tropical fruit and Cuban cuisine, so I'm beyond thrilled to create this new [beer] in honor of American Craft Beer Week for our guests to enjoy," Presby said.

In addition to the new Miami Guava Wheat, I had the opportunity to sample the three other original beers brewed onboard Carnival Vista -- Thirsty Frog Port Hoppin' IPA, an aromatic, floral, and hoppy IPA with juicy tropical and citrus overtones; Thirsty Frog Caribbean Wheat, and unfiltered wheat beer with notes of orange and spices; and FriskyFrog Java Stout, a rich and creamy coffee stout.

The inaugural cask is just one of many exciting craft beer developments Carnival is working on. According to Presby, guests have been very receptive of the freshly brewed ales onboard and Carnival is considering expanding the project to include more breweries on other ships. For now, Carnival Vista is the only ship with a brewery--a beer oasis at sea.

Here are a few additional photos from the celebratory event. To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit carnival.com.

Carnival Vista houses a 3.5 bbl, double vessel glass brewhouse

RedFrog Pub & Brewery Bar

My Father-in-Law and I posing with Brewmaster Colin Presby

3 Ways Drinking Establishments and Communities Support One Another

3 Ways Drinking Establishments and Communities Support One Another

by Henry Moore | guest contributor

While you may not consider drinking establishments as the backbone of your community, you just may find how vital their role is when you take a closer look. Often located in the heart of a town, drinking establishments have long been social gathering places. Nearly everyone of age has their favorite local bar, and people often find it difficult to enjoy themselves as much in any other drinking establishment. Beer lovers know these local businesses are a place to meet friends and unwind, celebrate, or bounce back after a rough day. That’s why community members support their local drinking establishments when they host events to benefit the neighborhood and continue to visit time and again. We explore the ways local watering holes and communities support one another below.

1. Local Pubs Improve People’s Lives

A recent study by Oxford University found that people who regularly visit a local pub are happier, have more friends, have better life satisfaction, and are less likely to drink excessively. While it may be counterintuitive to think that living near a drinking establishment helps people, it is the case; researchers believe that people find it easier to socialize in small community bars than in larger establishments, and bartenders keep tabs on how much people drink and do not serve them in excess.

Neighborhood patrons appreciate having a welcoming, comfortable place to gather to spend time with friends, and they develop friendships face-to-face in relaxed venues. Tim Page, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), explains: “Pubs offer a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends in a responsible, supervised community setting. Nothing is more significant for individuals, the social groupings to which they belong and the country as a whole as our personal and collective well-being. The role of community pubs in ensuring that well-being cannot be overstated. For that reason, we all need to do what we can to ensure that everyone has a ‘local’ near to where they live or work.”

People recognize the role their local drinking establishments play in their lives, and they continue to patronize them as a result. They also visit them more regularly when they fit their lifestyles, as dog-friendly bars do. Many watering holes have realized that patrons want to visit in the evening while walking their dogs but were unable to do so; they were losing business when people were standing on the sidewalk with their pets and talking to patrons rather than going inside and purchasing a drink of their own. By welcoming pets, many neighborhood bars have become even better members of the community.

2. Bars Provide Venues for Local Musicians

Local musicians often get their start in drinking establishments. They play to entertain patrons, and patrons pack the establishment and continue to drink as long as the music continues. Bar owners love finding popular local music acts to keep the people coming back, and they also draw new patrons who may have seen the band play elsewhere and follow them from gig to gig. Additionally, drinking establishment owners realize that giving local musicians a place to showcase their talents helps them grow their fan base and expand their career. The community appreciates that the drinking establishment provides entertainment and supports local artists, and the owners appreciate the boost in business they get by hosting the musicians.

3. Drinking Establishments Support Local Artists

Similarly, drinking establishments support the community by inviting local artists to showcase their work in the bar. It can be very expensive for budding artists to rent space in a gallery or find another location to display their art, but if they display it in a local drinking establishment, they get a great deal of exposure to potential buyers. Drinking establishments feature artists and host nights to meet the artists to draw business, and they also rotate artists to draw more interest in the art and keep art-loving patrons coming back to see the new displays every month or so. Again, patrons appreciate that the bar supports the local arts and view it as an upstanding member of the community for doing so.

Drinking establishments support communities by giving people a place to socialize and contribute to their well-being, providing venues for local musicians, and supporting local artists. In return, community members continue to patronize the drinking establishment and sing its praises for being such a community-minded business.

About our guest writer:

Henry is the co-creator of FitWellTraveler. The site blends two of his favorite subjects (travel and health) to provide readers with information about how to get the most out of both.

Image via Pixabay by tpsdave

New Weekly Series: Beer and Bible Review

The etymology of Apostle is a Middle English word meaning "one who is sent on a mission." The word has several religious contexts.

Beer Apostle spawned from a conversation over beer at a craft beer pub in Houston, TX in 2009. I was enjoying a couple of locally brewed pints with a good friend. We found ourselves in this situation often: a couple of guys drinking beer together, talking about life, the world, and yes--even religion. The conversations were never heated or disrespectful. We enjoyed talking and, more importantly, listening to each other. No matter how far apart we were on various issues, beer was our common ground and our shared affinity.

Those conversations were the early stages of what would eventually become Beer Apostle, a platform to share Good News and Craft Brews. These two concepts--beer and Bible--have shared an important connection in my adult life. This new weekly series will peel back the proverbial curtain and provide insight into my personal studies and imbibitions.

I'm calling this series, "Fill My Cup: A Weekly Beer and Bible Review." The series will invite readers to share in and engage with my personal review of the Bible and also my critical tasting notes of a beer from the week. The verb, "engage" is important here. One of the most powerful aspects of connecting beer and Bible, in my experience, has been that the walls (literal and figurative) are often torn down and some people are more willing to engage in healthy and authentic conversations around religion, faith, and theology when it happens outside of a church and over a round of some tasty brews. 

The series will kick off on Friday, August 26. My hope for this series is that it will spark discourse, reflection, and an opportunity to learn something new about craft beer and the Bible. I invite you all to engage with me--share your thoughts, comments, and musings along the way! You sign up for the email list and receive this series, and every Beer Apostle post, directly to your inbox. Just look for the "subscribe" box at the top right of the website. Cheers!

Three (more) Tree House Beers for Review

This is a continuation from a previous post where I sampled Julius. The bar has been set high, and I am excited to share my tasting notes from the remaining three Tree House Beers that I recently received.

Lights On 

American Pale Ale

5.6% ABV

Being that this is only the second beer I've ever tasted from Tree House, my only point of comparison is Julius--two radically different beers, and yet, I found some obvious similarities that show a distinct craftsmanship from the brewers. 

Strong and pleasant aroma--strong hop notes and a subtle orange peel aroma as well. As you can see from the image, the beer poured a thick hazed pale-orange color. Not as vibrant as Julius, but a similar haze and orange aroma.

Lights On tastes of grapefruit, orange zest, lemon, mango, and other tropical fruits. This is a very flavorful and citrusy pale ale that packs a balanced bitterness, making this an approachable and highly drinkable beer. It's not quite as juicy as Julius, but one could argue this beer had more going on in terms of depth/layers of flavors.

Haze

Imperial IPA

8.2% ABV

Similar to the previous two beers I've sampled, Haze is...well, hazy. This beer pours an almost identical color and "thickness" to Lights On and Julius. The aroma is similar as well: tropical fruits and some citrus zests dominate the nose.

On the palate, Haze begins with notes of orange, lemon, and pineapple. There's not much of a hop bitterness here, and I enjoy the more prominent malt presence that's in this beer. Still, there is a clear theme going on with Tree House's IPAs: they pack a punch of juicy (often tropical and citrus) flavors. Haze tips the scale more on the tropical side of the scale, but the signature orange flavors are certainly there. 

Also noticeable is the heaviness of this beer. I found Haze to have almost a "chewy" feel to it: quite thick and juicy--but that is definitely not a knock on the beer in any way. As an imperial IPA, Haze does not disappoint and provides the flavor and mouthfeel to satisfy the genre.

Single Shot

Milk Stout

6.4% ABV

I was excited to try this one as it was so very different from the previous three that I sampled. There was such a clear theme and pattern detected in the pale ales, that I was curious to see what Tree House would do with a stout.

Single Shot is labeled a Milk Stout or Sweet Stout, depending on which site you're looking at. Either one works well in my opinion. As soon as I cracked open the can, I was met with a sweet coffee aroma, something similar to a cafe con leche. 

If you are someone who likes their coffee with lots of cream, this beer is for you. Single Shot tastes of rich coffee and sweet cream flavors. There is a hint of chocolate in the middle, but this beer doesn't shy away from being a sweet coffee stout and nothing else. The finish is very smooth. There's absolutely no bitterness from hops nor coffee. This is a rich and smooth, sweet and bold stout. I would love to try this one on Nitro and have a nice creamy texture to go with the sweet cream flavors. 

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After tasting four different Tree House beers, it's clear that those of us who live in Florida are missing out on some well crafted beers! I thoroughly enjoyed each one and have to thank Nine State Brewery one last time for sharing these beers with me. Be sure to check out Tree House Brewing Co by visiting http://treehousebrew.com/ and show some love to Nine State by giving their facebook page a Like!  https://www.facebook.com/ninestatebrewery/

Highland Brewing's West Coast-Style IPA is First of 12 New Beers in 2016

Highland Brewing recently sent me a sample of two of their most recent releases: Highland IPA (a West Coast-Style IPA) and Black Watch (a Double Chocolate Milk Stout). This is the first full review of both beers.

Highland Brewing Company officially released the West Coast-style IPA on Jan. 4 and it is the first of 12 new beers the 22-year-old brewery will debut in 2016.

“Our vision for intentional growth and our talented team inspired the additions of a West Coast IPA and other exciting styles to our portfolio,” said Leah Wong Ashburn, president of Highland Brewing Company. “At the same time, I see Gaelic growing. It’s our workhorse and my go-to beer. The combined strength of classic and new styles, done well, is our future.”


Developed by Head Brewer Hollie Stephenson, the West Coast-style India Pale Ale features American Chinook, Citra and Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest. A sturdy malt bill frames hints of tropical fruit, lemon rind, grapefruit and dank hop notes. Brilliant and golden in color, the beer finishes resiny, citrusy and dry.

"Highland IPA will be my favorite in the Southeast,” said Stephenson. "There are some good specialty IPAs in North Carolina, but as a year-round offering that is drinkable and edgy, I think Highland IPA is unique. It is assertively bitter, but not overwhelming. The ABV is higher than what you see in a lot of new IPAs, but not so high that you can’t go back for another. For me, Highland IPA is a pint or bottle of what defines a West Coast IPA."

So how is the West Coast-Style IPA? Glad you asked!

Aroma: Vibrant nose full of tropical fruit and perfume-like citrus notes.

Taste: Right away, I get a lot of citrus and lemon zest flavors that lead into a nice malt presence. There's a tropical fruit juiciness that becomes more prominent with each sip. The finish leaves a pleasantly bitter and slightly dry aftertaste.

Overall: This is a well-balanced IPA. Brewer, Stephenson, hit it on the nose with labeling it as, "assertively bitter, but not overwhelming." This is an IPA that I could drink year-round. It's flavorful but not over the top. It's sweet and enjoyable but still very much an IPA. This may be my favorite offering from Highland yet.

Cheers to good beer!

To learn more about Highland Brewing company and the beer they offer, visit https://highlandbrewing.com/

To see more from the Beer Apostle, be sure to check out the Archives section! Have questions or feedback, contact me and share your thoughts! And don't forget to join in on the discussion by following  on Twitter and Facebook!

Phobia Phest 2014

There is quite an event brewing in Orange Park and it's called Phobia Phest! The first annual Phobia Phest is sure to be a good time for all ages. Brewer's Pizza is a family friendly establishment, and will host several activities for everyone to enjoy. There will be costume contests, pumpkin painting, and a pumpkin carving competition hosted by local artist,  Kyle Willis. Kyle will also be showcasing horror themed art and will be hanging around to sign his works.

Brewer's Pizza is home to Pinglehead Brewing Company, which is Orange Park's first and only brewery. And now it's home to the only Halloween party you need to attend this year! The place will be decked out in season appropriate decor and displays; there will even be live music and classic Halloween films being played during dinner.

Brewer's Pizza will offer a special Phobia Phest menu that will include seasonal dishes and limited tappings of Pinglehead Brews. Speaking of brews, one of the limited brews will be from yours truly! That's right, I was fortunate enough to team up with Pinglehead a few weeks ago and brew a beer that is truly unique. You won't want to miss it!

And for those you who prefer to stick to the soft drinks, Brewer's will be serving their own fresh-brewed root beer.

As if all the beer, food, music, art, and costumes aren't enough, Brewer's will have a paranormal expert on hand to raise those tiny hairs on the back of your neck with spine-chilling music. Orange Park Native, Brewer, and Paranormal expert (he was recently featured on Syfy's Ghost Hunters), John Harris, will be a guest host for the day.

Phobia Phest takes place on October 25, and will run from 11am-11pm. There will be outdoor seating all day. Brewer's Pizza is located at 14b Blanding BLVD, just before the Orange Park Mall. For more information, check out the Brewer's Pizza and Pinglehead Facebook pages.

Pinglehead Phobia Phest 2014 Agenda 
11:00am - 4:00pm 
Pinglehead Pilot Batch tappings (stay tuned for list)
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Pumpkin Painting for the kids

3:00pm – 4:00pm 
Costume Contest Voting ( Family friendly)
1st prize -$50 gift card
2nd prize - $25 gift card
3rd prize - $10 gift card
Contest winners announced at 4:00pm

5:00pm 
Winners will be announced for Pumpkin Carving Comp.
1st prize -$50 gift card
2nd prize - $25 gift card
3rd prize - $10 gift card

6:00pm -10:00 pm 
Movie Screenings (inside)
Live Music (outside)
Evening Costume Contest Voting

10:00pm 
Grand Prize Costume Contest
1st prize -$100 gift card
2nd prize - $75 gift card
3rd prize - $50 gift card

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Thanks for reading the Beer Apostle and for supporting craft beer! Join in on the discussion by following me on Twitter and Facebook! Cheers!

Earl Benton: A Green Champion for Beer

Posing with Earl Benton, CEO of Champion Brands Inc

The Green Lion Festival is fast approaching! On October 4^th, Aardwolf Brewing Co. and USGBC North Florida will host this FREE festival, which supports green-focused business and innovative organizations.

Beer is a major factor in the festival this year. Not only is Aardwolf opening their space for the event, they have also brewed a special "Green Lion" beer that will be available during the festival. But, perhaps, the biggest beer-related component of the day is the home brewer's competition. The festival will be serving over 50 gallons of unique beers that come from the creative minds of local home brewers. Those who attend the event will have the opportunity to sample each beer and vote on their favorite. The top vote-getters will receive an engraved 64oz growler as their trophy.

As you can see, beer is very much at the center of what will make the Green Lion Festival a must-attend event. This week, I sat down with the CEO of Champion Brands, Earl Benton, who is one of the festival’s biggest sponsors.

Champion Brands distributes many of Jacksonville’s most popular beer, including Intuition Ale Works, Aardwolf, and the recently opened Veterans United Craft Brewery. Most people know that. But what most people don’t know, is Champion Brands is a green-focused company that is prioritizing sustainability! This makes for the perfect marriage between Champion Brands and the Green Lion Festival.

Benton has been working on a corporate sustainability project that has led to some major changes at Champion Brands. “This relationship between us and Green Lion made a lot of sense. We have always been on the forefront of sustainability. When we started to investigate compressed natural gas and LED lighting, we saw that it was saving us 6-digits a year. That’s good. Not only are you saving money, but you are helping save the environment,” Benton explained. 

Aardwolf 's batch brewed exclusively for Green Lion Festival

Benton shared that as a distributor, he holds himself accountable to the same high standards that his suppliers uphold. He referenced Sierra Nevada as a leading example. “They are spending 150 million dollars on a brewery and their waste water, when they release it into the river, is cleaner than the water in the river. It’s just unbelievable. It’s absolutely incredible.” Benton then added, “We’d like to leave this world at least in as good a shape as when we found it.”

Those who know Earl Benton personally might even argue he has already helped to make the world better then how he found it. At least when it comes to the Jacksonville beer scene.

Jacksonville, over the past few years, has experienced unprecedented growth in its beer community. Dozens of new businesses have opened, and Champion Brands has very much been in the fold of that growth.

When asked about the growth in the city’s craft beer sales, Benton pointed my attention to the local brewers who have committed their life (and sometimes their life savings) to the industry. ” Jacksonville has some notoriety with beer. Ben Davis (Owner, Intuition Ale Works) has done a great job. Aardwolf has some big days ahead. Veteran’s United, just opened up, they’re going to be a force to deal with. All these guys are making a very good product. It’s good for people to have choice.” Earl Benton said all of this with a smile on his face, as if he were boasting about the accomplishments of his own kids.

Benton has a big heart for beer in this community. You can see it in the way his company operates. You hear it in his voice. And it’s demonstrated in Champion Brands' sponsorship of the Green Lion Festival, an event that is really turning out to be a celebration of beer and home brewing.

A list of the 2014 Home Brew Competition Submissions

I can’t think of many home brewing events sponsored by a major distributor. At face value, one might assume the two don’t go together; a distributor makes his money through sales. Sales have to come from a licensed brewer. Home brewed beer brings in zero revenue dollars and cannot be sold. I asked Benton why he was supporting an event around home brewing. He said, “That’s how some of the best made their start. Ken Grossman (Owner, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.) started out in his garage and look at him today. Jim Koch, [founder of] Sam Adams is the same way." Being successful in the beer industry requires people who know what they want to accomplish and then go out and accomplish it. Home brewing is often the first step in this process.

I couldn't let an interview with distributor Benton finish without getting his thoughts on the 64oz growler that is outlawed in the State of Florida. This has been a controversial topic in Florida, and there are often mixed stories portrayed in the media about the stance of distributors on the topic. Like everything else in the interview, Benton shared his thoughts openly and with conviction.

“We are trying very hard in the State of Florida right now. We don’t think there should be a limit on the package. If someone wants a 68 ¾oz jug filled, what’s the big deal? As long as the State can figure out how to collect the appropriate taxes on that container, we don’t have a problem. And it’s not all on the legislative system in Tallahassee. The State already allows some to sell directly to the consumer. “ Benton is referring to breweries like Bold City and Intuition where beer is sold directly to customers straight from their taproom. In fact, beer-loving patrons can enter into any one of Jacksonville’s eight breweries and order a pint directly from the brewery. The one thing patrons can’t do is order a 64oz growler to-go. Not yet, at least.

Home brew champ will receive an engraved 64oz growler

My time with Earl Benton concluded with a tour of Champion Brands’ warehouse, which is the largest beer closet I have ever walked in! I was thoroughly impressed during my visit. Champion Brands is a classy company, led by a successful leader who happens to really love Jacksonville and its beer. That’s a pretty good combination.

Coming Soon: The Alewife Craft Beer Bottle Shop and Tasting Room

I love being on the receiving end of good news. In my inbox waiting for me today, was a press release announcing a new craft beer establishment that will open in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Riverside.

In the body of the email was the following description of Jacksonville. This description is not only accurate, but depicts the growing momentum of the beer community here. These are exciting times!

Jacksonville has emerged as a city at the forefront of the craft beer scene in the state of Florida, and also the entire southeast. The city features multiple acclaimed craft breweries; local, regional and national craft beer focused restaurants and bars; and a growing craft beer-specific retail market. The Alewife concept will complement the current offerings and provide an experience for Jacksonville residents not currently available.

The Alewife will add to a growing list of Riverside locations dedicated to craft beer. I will be sitting down to chat with co-owners, Kelly and Jamie, in the coming days, but until then check out the press release below.   

Jacksonville, Fla. – Alewife, a new craft beer establishment featuring retail craft beer sales, a tasting bar, and craft beer focused classes, is set to open this fall in Riverside’s Five Points. Owners Kelly Pickard and Jamie Burket have signed a lease to move into 1035 Park Street, the former site of Riverside Liquors. The business model is unique to the Jacksonville area, fulfilling not only the customer’s demand for a quality craft beer product, but also offering opportunities to explore, taste and learn about the evolving world of craft beer.

Architect's rendering

Featuring an extensive selection of bottles and cans from the best craft brewers in America, including

those local to Jacksonville, Alewife will serve as a community-focused establishment to celebrate and discover handcrafted ales and lagers from craft brewers across the country. Guests can grab a seat at the tasting bar to enjoy a flight or full pour from one of the six constantly rotating taps, or they can select a bottle from the cooler to enjoy as they browse the shelves. If guests don’t have time to enjoy a beer on-site, there will be six-packs, four-packs, large format bottles (“bombers”), and single 12 oz. bottles and cans to be taken home. 

In addition to the retail operation, Alewife will create a unique niche in the Jacksonville craft beer market by introducing a series of educational classes and workshops designed to expand the communities’ craft beer knowledgebase. These classes, designed for both seasoned beer enthusiasts and novices alike, will pair an educational component with beer tastings, and will be the foundation of Alewife’s goal of educating their customers about the diverse world of craft beer.

About owners Kelly Pickard and Jamie Burket: Pickard, who will lead front-of-house operations at Alewife, is a Cicerone Certified Beer Server, a home brewer and has experience working behind the bar with positions held in both Washington, DC and locally. Pickard has brewed beer with a commercial craft brewery, developed and led craft beer tasting and pairing events for both corporations and individuals, and completed numerous craft beer-focused classes and workshops. Her former professional career was in sustainability project management for an architecture trade association. 

Burket, who will run back-of-house operations, has a professional background in facility management, event operations and marketing. Her passion for the craft beer industry has led to participation in various craft beer-centered educational workshops and to extensive beer-focused travels.

About Alewife: Scheduled to open fall 2014, Alewife is a craft beer bottle shop and tasting room in Riverside’s Five Points neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Kelly Pickard and Jamie Burket will bring a unique craft beer experience to the Jacksonville community by creating a one stop shop for purchasing, tasting and learning about American craft beer. Alewife isn’t just a store or bar; instead, it’s a celebration of beer, the craftsmen (and women) who brew it, and the drinkers who respect it. For more information about Alewife, follow us at www.Facebook.com/alewifebottleshop and www.Twitter.com/alewifebeer.

The name Alewife is a nod of respect to the rich history behind the role of women in brewing. In medieval Europe, before beer production increased in scale and prestige to become a commercial activity taken over by men, brewing beer was a domestic affair performed by women. When extra beer was available, the women, referred to as alewives, would hang a broom – known as an ale-stake – above the door. This let other households and passersby know that beer was for sale.