25 Sep DUNEDIN IS BACK TO SERVING GREAT LOCAL FOOD AND CRAFT BEERS. COME ON DOWN.

To quote Daryn Kagan, “bad things do happen in the world, like the war, natural disasters, disease – but out of those situations always arise stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things”. And, such was the case in our local communities across the Tampa Bay area after Irma made landfall just a few miles south of us. The predictions for Tampa were dire (to say the least) and while many of us are still without power and involved in clean up and recovery, other areas of the state, the Caribbean Islands and much of the southeast are facing much more devastation with recovery weeks, months and in some cases years away.

Today’s story, however, focuses closer to home and how one local community bonded together to reach out and help each other begin their recovery from IRMA. There is much to be said about the “orange power” that exists in Dunedin – a coastal town about 30 miles west of Tampa who embodies a long history of oranges, orange groves and citrus packing. In fact the orange is so popular that it shows up on an amazing number of main street walls and side streets and has become a phenomenon everyone wants a “slice of”. However, being right on the water, the warnings about the pending hurricane were very ominous. So we were very relieved and excited to witness first- hand the comradery and support of Dunedin neighbors reaching out to fellow neighbors in need and local merchants and breweries doing what they could to supply food and drink to those who either lost power or were simply in need of some nourishment and libations to weather the recovery efforts that IRMA left in its wake.

Most of the breweries were able to run on generators which was a blessing for them since the majority of the local community lost power for days. Almost all of our food tour partners also lost power and some lost their food supply which was very unfortunate. House of Beer (HOB), one of our craft beer tour partners, actually set up food trucks in their parking lot and the owners Rick and Andy even cleaned out the own freezers to grill up ribs, hamburgers and steaks for the locals while pouring their specially crafted brews. Churches set up food banks and opened them up to the locals. As restaurants one by one got power, like Sea Sea Riders, brought in skeletal staffs to serve up food and drinks to the local residents. Volunteers were out in force with their fluorescent green vests helping folks clean up the debris (or “natural pruning” as some locals call it) IRMA left behind. And by this weekend, Dunedin and their awesome “orange power” should be well on its way to normal operations. Other brewery partners including Caledonia and are also serving up “happy hours” with discount pricing on their specialty pours throughout the weekend to help celebrate the “extraordinary people” and who survived and officially bid IRMA farewell.

All of our Food and Brewery tour partners (in addition to HOB, Sea Riders and Caledonia) – from Cueini Brewery to Happy’s Bayou Bites, 7venth Sun and Soggy Bottom Breweries, Lucky Lobster, Honu, The Sandpiper, Hog Island Fish Camp and Bon Appetit are open and ready to serve up their local hospitality food and drink. As you know when you squeeze an orange you get orange juice … and these folks know how to survive and flourish through a forceful squeeze the likes of IRMA. So… I encourage you to come to Dunedin and enjoy this beautiful community filled with extraordinary people who take being a “local” to a whole new level!

Easy Post Hurricane Dessert Recipe (can be made even without power)
Ingredients:
Oranges
Sliced almonds
Package of Chocolate Muffins if you aren’t into baking
Or Chocolate Muffin mix
Orange Liqueur or bourbon (optional)
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (optional but certainly something to consider!)

Instructions:
Firmly squeeze oranges to make about ½ cup of orange juice
Zest orange
Bake muffins according to package or open your story or bakery bought muffins
Warm squeezed juice (if possible) and add zest and almonds. Or combine ½ of the freshly squeezed juice with the orange liqueur or bourbon and pour over the muffins.
Serve up with slice of orange on side and ice cream if you choose that option.

Add your favorite libation either a nice glass of red wine or nice craft beer stout or porter and give a farewell toast good-bye to IRMA!