Editor’s note: Stoutmeister here, typing up a long-awaited review by Derek of his trip to Florida (it’s the first writing assignment for him; but he did design the current NMDSBC logo, so we’re not complaining). He was visiting the Sunshine State for other reasons, but found the time to hit up some breweries in a part of the country where craft brewing is only getting its toes in the water, so to speak. Anyway, I’ll let Derek take it away. We’ll have more from Derek tomorrow (Friday) on his most recent home-brewing adventure, followed by a full interview that E-Rock and I conducted with Goat Head Brewing’s Majin Garcia. So, yeah, after days of us not writing much, we’re flooding the site with new posts. It happens, especially with this group.

7venth Sun Brewery
Dunedin, Fla.
Jan. 7, 2012 grand opening
4.5-barrel brew house to be expanded to primary brew house next door.

They change their menu at the taproom practically daily. Every time you’re here there will be something new to taste, including guest beers from other local breweries. 7enth Sun specializes in wheats and IPAs.

Upcoming beers include a double porter, booty wax rum/rye, and a whiskey barrel rye; there will also be a sour beer blend for their anniversary beer.

The small taproom atmosphere is always enjoyable for me. I love small, eclectic taprooms where they actually brew on site and have low prices on pints. Clearly this is a spot always filled with locals. It is dog-friendly and smoking is allowed off the patio. There is good music piping through as you check out the big board of options to start your night. Here’s my progression:

Belgae Brune (6.2% ABV)
Belgian-style brown ale
Very malty flavors mixed with a quality nut-brown texture and flavor profile. An easy drinker with a decent alcohol punch to start your night off.

Graffiti Orange (5.9%) wheat beer
Vanilla bean, lactose, orange peel
A dreamsicle of booze. The beer is finished and aged with vanilla beans, giving it such a clean finish from the brightness of the acidic oranges. The orange and vanilla flavors are prominent, yet smooth and not overpowering. It feels creamy and super smooth and is an easy drinker for anyone, regardless of their preference for other styles.

Hand Shandy — 7venth/Sweetwater collaboration (8.1%)
Bierce de Gardens with peppercorn/lemon Verbena
Very crisp and sharp opening that washes into a mellow lemon flavoring that refreshes the palate. It has a more robust hop quality that makes it a heavier drink than the other two that are much smoother and mellower, but not at all overbearing.

All three out of the 12 available I had to taste were all above-average, top to bottom, which combined with the awesome atmosphere make for a standout brewery worth the visit when you’re in town.

Orlando Brewing
6 years open. Live music inside the bar.

Oktoberfest (5.8%)
Seasonal lager
Super caramel color with bolt-sweet malt. Smooth, easy drinker for opening a cold fall night.

Scottish Ale (6.2%)
Malty opening with a thick, dark brown color. Medium body with a low head. Smooth drinker. Just a hint of hops backing to finish it and remain on your palate.

Grateful Pumpkin Ale (5.6%)
Perfect October brown, caramel-colored ale. Medium head and body. Pleasant opening all-spice aroma hits your senses before you taste the actual brew. Bold first flavors of cinnamon and clove/all-spice that taste just like your mother’s homemade pumpkin pie. Very wintery feeling, like sipping on a spice chai tea with some familiar pumpkin coating the back palate as the last flavor.

Red ale (5.8%)
Pronounced sweetness of the malt combined with just a touch of bitter from the hops. It’s a delicate balance of sweet and bitter that was nailed perfectly. Very sweet for a typical red.

Eagle stout (5.7%)
Black/brown color with a heavy body and medium head. Stark, rich coffee and caramel flavor mix with the hops, but not at all excessive.  A strong-flavored, thick “I like to chew my beer” style that I really enjoyed.

All of the beers I tried came off as great, easy-drinking, social beers that anyone could partake in and enjoy. The live music adds a great atmosphere and has surprisingly good quality sound for being inside a bar. The atmosphere was friendly, with awesome, knowledgeable bartenders willing to just chat and hang out and answer any questions you may have about any of the beers. A true delight to experience lost in the industrial side of Orlando.

Cheers!

— Derek