Good boozers in Orlando

[Richard English]

I will be in Orlando for a couple of weeks from 19 November, staying at the Peabody. Could anyone give me some recommendations for decent pubs or bars.

I prefer cask-condtioned beer but will drink good bottle-conditioned beer as well. If the worst comes to the worst then I'll drink tap beers (providing they're not chilled to death). Under no circumstances will I drink chemical fizz.

I is a matter of complete unconcern to me as to whether or not the place serves food; I want to go there to drink, not to eat.

And if any of the erudite contributors from this board would care to join me for a pint or three, just say the word.

Thanks people.

[Yodar]

Try to get there on 12 Nov

Beer festival I believe at universal studios or Wally World

yodar

check with hearts@heartsbrewing.com , my LHBS at All American and Edgewater drive for details and additional guidance

yodar

[danno]

Richard, my family and I were in Orlando this past July vacationing, and it's a beer lover's wasteland. You're staying on International Drive, which has a ton of restaurants (and gift shops, and hotels, and fast food joints, etc...) but I was unable to find any place that had decent beer. Orlando and it's attractions exist for one purpose only, to separate you from your money as efficiently as possible. (don't get me started on the crass commercialization that is the Magic Kingdom...)

good luck...

(not that this matters, since you're probably not bringing children, but my entire family MUCH preferred the day we spent at SeaWorld to the day we spent at Disney... feeding dolphins and stingrays was pretty amazing...)

[Richard English]

Thank you for this. I have been to Orlando previously and feared that nothing had changed - which you have confirmed. Apparently there is a homebrew at the airport and there is, too, a micro-brewer - Orlando Brewery - that brews some decent beer.

As I will be there on business, I have no choice in the matter of where and when I go, or stay, and it's just a matter of trying to make the best of a bad job.

Insofar as the attractions are concerned, I know they're expensive but, for we conference delegates, they are allowing us free use of their facilities (there are some benefits of working in the travel business!)

[batkins]

As stated before, Florida is a beer wasteland.
Maybe this link will offer a bit of help.

http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/FindPlacesByCity.asp?StateID=9&City=Orlando

I did notice that Cricketer's had 2 casks.
Some of the places have no reviews, some do have web page links however.
Enjoy your visit.
Bill

[newportstorm]

Here are some reviews for spots in Orlando proper:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beerfly/list?path=%2Fbeerfly%2Flist&sort=name&name=&city=orlando&s_id=FL&c_id=&zip=&area=&submit=+search+&brewery=Y&brewpub=Y&bar=Y

And I have had decent luck with Big River Grille and Brewing on the Disney Boardwalk.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/review/1049/

The Rocket Red and Sweet Magnolia were palatable and they've had a Winter Porter that isn't listed here.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

This from an email:

Welcome to this weeks installment of the Fresh Beer Times dedicated to letting you know where and when you can find the Freshest Beer in South Florida.

It's Halloween time....candy, sweets, costumes, pumpkins, and of course Pumpkinhead from Shipyard !!! Pumpkinhead is available at most of our local stores but if they have already sold out....here is a list of some that have plenty for your Halloween celebrations.

Whole Foods - Aventura
Wild Oats - Fort Lauderdale
Tropical Wine and Spirits - Tequesta
Beverage Outlet - Jupiter
Ben and Bobs - Weston

and on draft....
Ye Olde Falcon Pub - Davie
The Poor House - Downtown Fort Lauderdale
The Florida Tap Room - Fort Lauderdale Beach
Alligator Alley - Oakland Park
The Billabong Pub - Hallandale
Rickey's - Hollywood
Shenanigans - Hollywood, bottles
The Abbey Brewing Co. - Miami - South Beach
The Room - Miami - South Beach
Titanic Brewing Co. - Miami - Coral Gables


New in Bottles:
We are getting set right now to bring on the Avery Brewing Co. line of beers. Established in 1993, Avery Brewing Co. is a family owned and operated micro-brewery dedicated to brewing the finest quality English and Belgian style ales. The unique flavor complexity of Avery beers occurs through a combination of sparing no expense with regard to ingredients and hopping methods. Sparing no expense means using lots of specialty malts, imported hops, such as Styrian Goldings, and imported Belgian candy sugar. As I right this note, a truck is on it's way from Boulder, Co with Avery IPA, 14'er ESB, Ellie's Brown and some great Belgian-style beers called The Reverend and Salvation. Check out their beers at http://www.averybrewing.com/avery/Home. Look for these beers at stores after Halloween.

Events:
The Original Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival is BACK !!! Scheduled for November Nov. 19-21st. Headlining is the legendary and Grammy award winner Buddy Guy along with Hot Tuna, Jimmy Thackery, Tab Benoit, Col. Bruce Hampton and many more !! I counted over 50 bands on the four stages. The Maxwell Room (the back room of the Downtowner Saloon) will be serving as our own Biergarten. This will be the ONLY place in the whole festival to get our wonderful craft brewed ales since Bud will be dominating the rest of the festival site.

Travel:
YOU'RE INVITED:
SHIPYARD BREWING COMPANY LONDON PUB TOUR -- 2004
Boston to London November 4 - 9
SORRY SOLD OUT !!!
But we are in the infant stages of putting together this years - Feb '05 - Polar Beer Tour - Orlando to Portland, ME.... more info to follow but let me know if your interested in detailed updates....contact Ron Raike at rraike@shipyard.com for more info.


Make your plans NOW!!....Universal Studios Beerfest is right around the corner. This is great event...where else can you drink great beer and ride a rollercoaster. The answer...no where!! The brand new MUMMY ride, Spiderman, Terminator, the Hulk, the Dueling Dragons, the Tower of Terror and much more all within a stones throw of over 100 beers. Live music and food will also be featured.
Nov. 13th and 14th at the City Walk between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Press:
Check out the last page of Home magazine, a South Florida Real Estate guide where Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale is mentioned with other assorted Halloween treats.

Calendar:
The Universal Studios Beer Festival....November 13rh and 14th...Orlando, FL.
The New Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival....November 19th - 21st...Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

If you find something beer related that you find funny or interesting...please pass it on and I will put it in the newsletter. Also, if you have any suggestions on how to make this newsletter better please let me know.

Remember...if your favorite bar isn't serving any fresh craft brewed beers...be sure to ask them why!....or just simply start crying!!

Cheers,

Adam
Fanatic #1
www.freshbeerinc.com
adam@freshbeerinc.com

If this message has reached you in error or if you simply would like to be removed please reply to adam@freshbeerinc.com. Otherwise, please forward this message to anyone who appreciates fresh quality craft brewed ales and lagers. Please act responsibly when drinking. Cabs are cheap...Lawyers aren't. Think AFTER you drink!

[Richard English]

Thank you.

But, curses, they are all in South Florida. I am going to be in Orlando and have no choice.

I am staying at the Peabody and have a nasty feeling that there are no decent pubs within striking distance. I might contact the Peabody and ask them whether they have any good beer in their bars - you never know!

[batkins]

This is in Orlando.
No idea of the quality.............but at least it's a cask.
http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=662

Cheers,
Bill

[Richard English]

Thanks for this. At least it's on the right road - though International drive's quite long!

[HiRichRules]

Cricketers is probably your best bet for Real Ale. It is a true english style pub, darkly lit, the employees are English. It is on International Drive. There is another english pub on International but it does not have Real Ale. It is on the same side of the street as the Peabody. From the Peabody you will head north and just before you get to Wet and Wild you will see a Mini Golf place on your right. Sharing the parking lot with Mini golf is another english pub. Decent selection of Draft, but no Real Ale.

Hope this helps.

[Richard English]

Many thanks for this. I did email the Peabody and they told me that they do have Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams in their bar so that's a good start. And they also said that the cricketers is just a mile north of them. Roll on November 19th!

[Bruno_78]

My girlfriend and I stumbled upon Cricketers when we were vacationing. Nice place, decent selection. Worth a stop.

[Richard English]

Well, I'm back from Orlando and yes, the Cricketer's Arms is the business. Four beer engines all serving cask-conditioned beer at the proper temperature.

During the time I was there they had Fuller's ESB and London Pride, Marston's Pedigree and Morland's Old Speckled Hen. On a couple of occasions they had Shipyard IPA and Shipyard Brown (from the local Shipyard brewery, I believe).

Many of the clientel were there to watch the live football (that's British football, not American) being screened almost non-stop which meant that, even with such bibulous delights, the majority were drinking chemical fizz. (What is is about football supporters that prevents their appreciating good beer?).

The service was much the same as one would expect in an English pub - go to the bar and order and pay for your food and drink - which will surprise Americans used to being escorted to the tables and being closely attended by a waiter. Of course, this did also mean that the "optional" 20% tip that is now the norm in US eating places was, as is the custom in British pubs, not expected. For myself I would prefer to serve myself and save 20 cents in the dollar so the Cricketer's suited me down to the ground.

Altogether an excellent drinking experience and one I recommend to all visiting Orlando.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Richard English
(What is is about football supporters that prevents their appreciating good beer?).

The service was much the same as one would expect in an English pub - go to the bar and order and pay for your food and drink - which will surprise Americans used to being escorted to the tables and being closely attended by a waiter. Of course, this did also mean that the "optional" 20% tip that is now the norm in US eating places was, as is the custom in British pubs, not expected. For myself I would prefer to serve myself and save 20 cents in the dollar so the Cricketer's suited me down to the ground.

I love football (and soccer) and appreciate good beer. Most of my friends do as well. Football doesn't prevent people from enjoying good beer. It's their "sheep" mentality, ignorance and lack of good taste that prevent people from enjoying good beer. Here in Rhode Island, sailing fanatics, polo enthusiasts, and the well to do socialites drink what you call "chemical fizz" as much as anyone else.

And yeah, I have no problem "serving myself" by ordering at the bar. Usually faster service. But if I am waited upon, the tip is not entirely optional. I'll agree that the system that most US eateries operate under (paying their waitstaff less than half the minimum wage) sucks! But until that changes, I tip accordingly, dependent upon the service. Now coffee shops, donut shops, etc. that put out a tip cup (for moving a total of 5 ft. to put a muffin in a bag for me) make me laugh :p

Cheers!

[Richard English]

I am sure you're right and it is the sheep mentality. That must in part be tied in with the overall concept of team support. You are in a group, supporting your chosen team, all wearing the same colours, all singing the same songs, all chanting the same chants - and all drinking the same beer.

I agree about tipping. It is, to my mind, a terrible thing, not least because it is unequal. In the UK we tip far less than is common in the USA but tips are still expected and those who receive them are taxed on them. But I frequently ask myself (and anyone else who will listen):

Why do I tip a cabbie but not a bus driver; a hairdresser but not a hatter; a waiter in a restaurant but not in a pub; the steward on a cruise ship but not on an aircraft? This is the way it is in the UK and I can see no reason why it should be. I would prefer that all get just reward for their services without the necessity for bribery (for such it is) to get good service.