Marker 48 Brewing brings back 'Smallbatch Beer Program'

Marker 48 Brewing announces the return
of the Smallbatch Beer Program

Released each Wednesday beginning Feb. 7, the 2018 version of this passport program
could lead to valuable prizes for the brewery’s customers

WEEKI WACHEE, Florida (Jan. 30, 2018) — For the second year in a row, Marker 48 Brewing will offer a promotion that will give participants a chance to win magnificent prizes at the end of the year, as well as pours of unique one-off beers throughout 2018.

The Smallbatch Beer Program proved to be such a success in 2017 that the brewery is eager to do it again.

“Oh my gosh, it was phenomenal,” said Cindy Halley, Marker 48 Brewing tasting room manager. “People who would only drink a cream ale or only drink an IPA or only drink a stout opened up their palates to drink more types of beer. Some they liked and some they didn’t.”

But, she added, “It helped them start venturing out and trying other beers.”

Here’s how it works:

The Beers:  Our brewers and select guest brewers have committed to brewing 48 different small-batch beers, one new beer every week.

These beers will allow our brewers and guest brewers to explore creative and experimental brewing — everything from sours to barrel-aged beers, and many styles in between.

The Promotion: Marker 48 is offering a VERY LIMITED number of Smallbatch Beer Books for sale. These books allow customers to receive one FREE small-batch beer per week or half-off bomber bottles of the week’s small-batch beers (when available).

The books cost $100 each and are on sale in the tasting room, 12147 Cortez Blvd. (S.R. 50), Weeki Wachee, Florida, beginning Feb. 1. In addition to the 48 free beers, book holders will receive a stamp for each Smallbatch Beer drank.

The Prizes: At the end of the year those individuals who have all 48 stamps will get an exclusive Marker 48 Smallbatch Beer shirt AND a special 20 oz. glass to be kept in the brewery to receive pours core beers throughout 2019 for the same price as 16 oz. beers.

Depending on the number of stamps required, book holders will also be qualified to win end of the year grand prizes.

The prizes are:

10-25 stamps are qualified to win:

·        $100 Marker 48 gift certificate

·        Free passport book for 2019 ($100 value)

·        $25 BeckyJack’s Food Shack gift certificate

·        $25 Florida Cracker Kitchen gift certificate

·        ($250 value total)

26-35 stamps are qualified to win all of the above, PLUS:

• The chance to brew a small-batch beer with our brewers in 2018

 36-48 stamps are qualified to win all of the above, PLUS:

• A one-night stay with one guest, hosted by Marker 48, on a private island on the Homosassa River and a half-day fishing inshore charter with a guide captain.

New for this year: All books with 48 stamps will be entered to win two VIP tickets to a 2019 Tampa Bay area beer festival of Marker 48’s choice, accompanied by either the owners or brewers.

2017 grand-prize winner, Debbie Garda.

You must purchase a Smallbatch Beer Book to receive the stamps and qualify for the prizes but you do not have to have a book to come in and order each week’s Smallbatch Beers.

The winners for the 2017 program were announced during a drawing on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and the grand-prize winner’s name is Debbie Garda.

In addition to the tangible prizes, there are other advantages to being a member of the Smallbatch Beer program, Halley said. In the inaugural year, a group of regular customers who purchased the passport books banded together to meet in the tasting room for each new release.

“So there’s a huge group of people who made lifetime friends by coming every Wednesday and trying all the new beers together,” Halley said. “So yeah, I would say it was a huge success.”

The passport books are currently on sale in the taproom, and the first beer in the program will be released Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Check the Marker 48 Facebook page or Twitter account for announcements on subsequent releases. For more information on Marker 48 Brewing, please visit their Facebook page.

Marker 48 Brewing is a 7-barrel craft brewery with a 32-tap tasting room in Weeki Wachee, Florida, founded by Hernando County natives Maurice and Tina Ryman. Regular hours are Monday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Wed-Thurs., noon to 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., noon to midnight; and Sun. noon to 8:30 p.m. The address is 12147 Cortez Blvd. (S.R. 50), Weeki Wachee, FL 34613. Phone: (352) 606-2509.

Marker 48 Brewing

 

I started following Marker 48 about a year ago. They hadn't opened their doors for business yet, but they were already making their mark in the community. I first met owners, Maurice and Tina Ryman, at a beer festival and charity event. Their booth was packed, the line to try their beer was long, and the Rymans made an effort to talk with every person who came to sample their beer. I must have tried dozens of beer that night and met more people than I could remember, but I didn't forget Marker 48. They had made an impression on me as I suspect they did for others. That impression grew in favor as I followed the construction and building process of the brewery leading up to the grand opening in late-November 2015.

Fast forward to this past weekend when I happened to be in the Brooksville area for Valentine's Day. We made a stop to the brewery and it was the highlight of our weekend.  As I was sitting outside, listening to live music in the Marker 48 beer garden, Maurice and Tina were going from table to table talking with patrons. It was just as I had seen them do months before. They make it a point to talk to the folks who come out to the brewery and I think that makes a world of difference. Drinking at Marker 48 becomes a familiar affair. Judging by the number of strollers, kids, and dogs, I don't think I am the only one who feels that way.

I tried three beers during my visit, and thoroughly enjoyed each one. I started out with Mo Say It, an American pale ale brewed with Mosaic hops. This pale ale has a vibrant aroma and nice tropical fruit flavors. My next beer was the Pine Island IPA, which has become one of my go-to IPAs. Pine Island is an approachable IPA with a balanced malt/hop profile without being aggressively bitter. My last beer was Mermaid's Milk on Nitro. Mermaid's Milk is a beautiful blend of sweet, rich, and roasted flavors. It's a creamy stout that doesn't quite drink like a stout and finishes with just enough lactose sugar.

If personable owners and great beer isn't enough to convince you to visit, the atmosphere of Marker 48 surely will. The interior is beautifully designed with wood finishes and charming features, like the toilet that encourages folks to recycle their beer after they're done using it. The building itself is reclaimed--what used to be a tire and lube shop is now a beer brewing haven. The old garage doors from the lube shop open the taproom and lead patrons into the outdoor beer garden that includes ping-pong, jumbo-sized Jenga, live music, and Adirondack chairs. It's like having a fully operational brewery in the comforts of your own backyard.

On my way out, I noticed this donut-making food truck and couldn't help myself. I order 12 made-to-order donuts that capped off a perfect afternoon.

There's a reason it was recently named by Beer Advocate as one of 2015's best new breweries. It's a must-visit location that has put Brooksville, FL on the beer map.

Marker 48 from the front of the building

Mo Say It Pale Ale

Mermaid's Milk Stout

No caption needed

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