Soucing Suds: Pinglehead's Ambitious Monk

'Sourcing Suds' is a monthly column featured in BUZZ Magazine recognizing beer that’s locally brewed and served. Join me each month as I highlight a local craft beer and where you can find it on tap! 

Source: Brewer's Pizza

Nestled in an unassuming plaza along the busy intersection of Blanding BLVD and Wells Rd in Orange Park, beer lovers and foodies alike can find indulgence in Orange Park’s only Brewpub: Brewer’s Pizza. Brewer’s has become a local favorite for those who live on the west side of Jacksonville, and a worthy destination for those who don’t.

The pizzas are handmade with fresh dough and marinara (both made on site) and fresh-cut ingredients. This is pizza done right. No corners cut. Just good food! My recommendation: order a Florida Smacker—a customizable personal thick crust pizza that is lip-smackingly delicious!

In addition to the handmade pizzas, Brewer’s is home to Pinglehead Brewing Co., where patrons have been enjoying aggressively flavored beers since 2011. "Pinglehead beers are brewed for beer-lovers seeking aggressive beer flavors and styles," said Chief Beer Officer, Steve Halford. Beer with Attitude, as Pinglehead’s slogan goes. 

Suds: Ambitious Monk 

Ambitious Monk, a spring seasonal from Pinglehead, is a Belgian Tripel that clocks in at 10.4% alcohol by volume. It pours a straw-yellow in color and gives off a sweet candy aroma with hints of Belgian yeast aromas. 

Ambitious Monk is dangerously drinkable. Notes of clove, apples, and bubble gum coat the palate. Lots of bubble gum! As the beer warms, the alcohol comes through a bit more and some of the Belgian spices begin to pick up on the palate. The finish is sweet and tart with the yeast characteristics lingering.

This is definitely a beer that is more appropriate as a "sipper," and not one I would recommend drinking too...ambitiously.

Brewer’s Pizza is located at 14b Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073. Open daily at 11am.

Phobia Phest 2014

There is quite an event brewing in Orange Park and it's called Phobia Phest! The first annual Phobia Phest is sure to be a good time for all ages. Brewer's Pizza is a family friendly establishment, and will host several activities for everyone to enjoy. There will be costume contests, pumpkin painting, and a pumpkin carving competition hosted by local artist,  Kyle Willis. Kyle will also be showcasing horror themed art and will be hanging around to sign his works.

Brewer's Pizza is home to Pinglehead Brewing Company, which is Orange Park's first and only brewery. And now it's home to the only Halloween party you need to attend this year! The place will be decked out in season appropriate decor and displays; there will even be live music and classic Halloween films being played during dinner.

Brewer's Pizza will offer a special Phobia Phest menu that will include seasonal dishes and limited tappings of Pinglehead Brews. Speaking of brews, one of the limited brews will be from yours truly! That's right, I was fortunate enough to team up with Pinglehead a few weeks ago and brew a beer that is truly unique. You won't want to miss it!

And for those you who prefer to stick to the soft drinks, Brewer's will be serving their own fresh-brewed root beer.

As if all the beer, food, music, art, and costumes aren't enough, Brewer's will have a paranormal expert on hand to raise those tiny hairs on the back of your neck with spine-chilling music. Orange Park Native, Brewer, and Paranormal expert (he was recently featured on Syfy's Ghost Hunters), John Harris, will be a guest host for the day.

Phobia Phest takes place on October 25, and will run from 11am-11pm. There will be outdoor seating all day. Brewer's Pizza is located at 14b Blanding BLVD, just before the Orange Park Mall. For more information, check out the Brewer's Pizza and Pinglehead Facebook pages.

Pinglehead Phobia Phest 2014 Agenda 
11:00am - 4:00pm 
Pinglehead Pilot Batch tappings (stay tuned for list)
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Pumpkin Painting for the kids

3:00pm – 4:00pm 
Costume Contest Voting ( Family friendly)
1st prize -$50 gift card
2nd prize - $25 gift card
3rd prize - $10 gift card
Contest winners announced at 4:00pm

5:00pm 
Winners will be announced for Pumpkin Carving Comp.
1st prize -$50 gift card
2nd prize - $25 gift card
3rd prize - $10 gift card

6:00pm -10:00 pm 
Movie Screenings (inside)
Live Music (outside)
Evening Costume Contest Voting

10:00pm 
Grand Prize Costume Contest
1st prize -$100 gift card
2nd prize - $75 gift card
3rd prize - $50 gift card

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Thanks for reading the Beer Apostle and for supporting craft beer! Join in on the discussion by following me on Twitter and Facebook! Cheers!

Sourcing Suds: Mind Drive Extreme Imperial Porter

'Sourcing Suds' is a monthly column I write for Buzz Magazine which acknowledges a locally brewed beer being served at locally operated beer joints. The people and places pouring for us are what make the craft beer community what it is. I hope to capture some of that craft culture in this new series. Join me each month as I will highlight a different craft beer location and a local beer from their tap list!

Source: Brewer's Pizza

Steve Halford, Chief Beer Officer

Handcrafted pizza and beer, there may not be a better combination. Brewer's Pizza is Orange Park's only brewpub, providing a unique combination of locally made pies and brews. Their pizza is freshly made and starts with homemade beer-dough, flavorful sauce, and a healthy dose of ingredients and spices. The pizzas at Brewer's are hearty and satisfying, just like the beer they serve.

Speaking of the beer, Brewer's Pizza is also home to their daughter company, Pinglehead Brewing Co. Since 2011, Pinglehead has been serving Brewer's Pizza customers handcrafted beers with complex flavors and a variety of ingredients. It's "Beer with Attitude" as their slogan goes; According to Chief Beer Officer, Steve Halford, "Pinglehead beers are brewed for beer-lovers seeking aggressive beer flavors and styles." 

Simply put, there's nothing apologetic about the beers being served at Brewer's Pizza. People searching for pale yellow light lager, only drinkable at Rocky-Mountain-Cold temperatures, should just keep on looking.

Suds: Mind Drive Extreme Imperial Porter

Mind Drive is an "Extreme" Imperial Porter with an alcohol by volume level of nearly 14%. It's a two-time, medal-winning beer that has started to create a bit of a name for itself. Mind Drive has taken home a Gold and Bronze medal, respectively, in each of the past two years at the Best Florida Beer Championship. 

Mind Drive pours dark black with a thick mocha-colored head. The aroma is robust and slightly bitter on the nose. Bitter chocolates and coffee, followed by meaty spices.

Its stout-like appearance comes to life on the palate. Unlike the aroma, there is a nice malt sweetness to Mind Drive. Milk chocolate, raisins, and roasted grains are followed by coffee flavors, molasses, and vanilla. The finish is slightly bitter with a robust smokiness that is quite a surprise. This must be where the "meaty" aromas were coming from on the nose.

Mind Drive is a rich and boozy porter that provides bold and complex flavors. It's an aromatic beer that delivers on all levels. This full-bodied beer lives up to its name of being an extreme imperial porter, and is most certainly a "Beer with Attitude."

FeBREWary at Brewer's Pizza: Brewfest and Bottle Share

What: Homebrew and Bottle Share Event
When: February 23 Homebrewing starts at 9am; Bottle share at 2pm
Where: Brewer's Pizza 14-B Blanding BLVD

This is a great event for anyone who enjoys good hand-crafted beer! Head out to Brewer's Pizza to meet some of the local homebrewers and taste their concoctions. Feel free to bring your own gear to brew with them, or simply hang out and watch others work their magic!

Most of Jacksonville's coolest people (I am not biased at all) are a part of the craft beer community. This is a great opportunity to gather with fun folks, eat good food, and consume uniquely tasty beer!

Cheers to local beer!