12 Sep CREATIVE LOAFING DUNEDIN CRAFT BEER TOUR

The newly launched TampaBayFoodTours.com Craft Beer Pour tour was recently featured in Creative Loafing http://bit.ly/2wcsdes – a local favorite site and newspaper covering events from concerts to the best things to do in Tampa Bay for travelers and locals alike.

The article speaks to the “one of a kind experience” that these tours offer their guests. The company decided to introduce their new food and craft beer tours in the coastal community of Dunedin before expanding to the rest of the Tampa Bay area.  They have certainly differentiated their tours by not only providing food tastings on the tours but by hiring knowledgeable guides who can thoroughly explain the techniques used in making these special brews in concert with the Brewmasters themselves (both men and women).  And yes, there are women brewers featured on the tour! An interesting fact is that the majority of the breweries showcased are owned and managed by women. Today about 37% of the brewers are female.  In fact, the original brewers in ancient history were all women known as “priestesses”.  The Sumerians, who were thought of as the true originators of the brew regarded beer as a “gift from the gods to promote human happiness and well- being” and it was a standard staple at the dinner table.  I suspect that continues to resonate for many beer enthusiasts today!  At least it does in many households I know including my own!

Dunedin Craft Beer tour reviews have been extremely encouraging proving that a small entrepreneurial business like TampaBayFoodTours.com can make an impact on showcasing the Tampa Bay brewery scene as a destination for craft beer connoisseurs. The stroll they created includes not only the established breweries like HOB and 7venth Sun, but also the new kids on the block – Cueni, Caledonia and Soggy Bottom. And the great news is that all five breweries are making their name and being recognized and awarded as leaders in the surging craft beer market.

There are a couple of things that I believe make Dunedin Craft Breweries special.   They are a very close group and, while passionate about their unique artisan craftsmanship, they also care about their mutual success. They work hard but love what they do. I think they are creative geniuses who come up with brew names like “Monkey Skull Porter”, “Orange Trail Cream”, “Udderly Delicious Nitro”, “Project Popsicle” and “Gulf Cart Amber” just to name a few.  They are constantly changing and experimenting with new flavors, while keeping up with the demand of the local crowd’s favorites.

I have several friends who had never really given craft beer a true taste and without exception almost everyone found one or several that they really do savor. My suggestion for the novice craft brew taster is to talk with the cicerone or bar tender and be open to trying something different and savory appealing…like a milk (shake) stout or peanut butter and jelly pint.  So be daring and spirited and give it a try!  I think you might be pleasantly surprised. What do you have to lose?