Bars & Breweries

Opening a brewery, winery, or distillery in unincorporated Miami-Dade County just became a little easier. This past December 6, the Board of County Commissioners reduced the minimum amount of space required to have such places next to schools to 1,000 feet (provided they’re not used for agricultural use). The decision was unanimous. Before, the law required a minimum distance of 2,500 feet — roughly a half-mile — from schools and churches and 1,500 from any other establishment that sells alcohol.

Funky Buddha Brewery is known for its popular Maple Bacon Coffee Porter and its imperial version, but now the Oakland Park brewery has a new java-infused release. Made with coffee and vanilla, it’s a Saved by the Bell-inspired imperial stout aptly called I’m So Excited, I’m So Scared. The beer is basically a Russian imperial stout loaded with caffeine, kind of like the character Jessie Spano in one episode.

On December 4, 2013, Wynwood Brewing Company officially opened its doors to the public with a celebration of music, art, and a nitro stout made with java from Panther Coffee. In a short period of time, the brewery, helmed by the father-and-son team of Luis G. Brignoni and Luis “Pops” Brignoni, along with brewer Nik Mebane, has become a staple in the Florida craft beer scene and beyond.  The brewery was prominently featured at this year’s Great American Beer Festival and has won several national awards, including a gold medal at the 2014 GAB for its flagship beer, Pop’s Porter.

When Johnathan Wakefield opened his eponymous Wynwood brewery, his beers were already well known. The brewer, who raised more than $110,000 in a CrowdBrewed campaign, had already gained a fan base by collaborating with established breweries such as Cigar City and Terrapin. Once opened, Wakefield’s Star Wars-themed taproom became known for two things: its signature Florida weisses made with local fruit, and its legendary festivals featuring brews never before tasted in Miami.

Bousa Brewing Company co-owners Juan Pablo Vergara and Enrique Garcia have opened their brewery at 7235 NE Fourth Ave. in Miami’s Little River District. They hope to open the adjacent tasting room in February 2017 but will begin distributing beers first through Miami’s Eagle Brands.

Unbranded Brewing Company still has at least another year until its opening, but owner Zachary Swanson is set to debut Unbranded Maverick Beer Asylum, a 5,000-square-foot beer store, in Little Havana. The location will be near the corner of Calle Ocho and SW 25th Avenue.

Wynwood may be the capital of art in Miami, but it’s also a leader in the city’s growing beer scene. To that effect, Wynwood’s breweries and brewpubs are hosting artistic events throughout Miami Art Week. These happenings include limited-edition collaborations with artists, bottle releases, and tap takeovers. This week, drink in the art at these places.

Wynwood is getting a piece of beach paradise with the opening of Miami Mojito Company. This secret beach tiki bar pops up today, December 1, for Art Basel, but Cesar Morales — the owner of Wood Tavern and Bar Next Door and the brains behind Miami Mojito Company — has plans to extend it as a permanent stand.

With Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach just beginning, Miamians have a week of parties, gallery openings, shows, and happenings to attend. Between celebrity spotting and art chatting, you’ll need to unwind and refresh. There’s no better way than stopping for a cocktail.

Art Basel is about to kick off and stretch across all areas of Miami, but a large concentration of activity will happen in Wynwood. Cue the traffic jams and pushy crowds, but also cue the local restaurants and bars that are bringing interactive experiences to Wynwood as a refuge for weary gallery-goers.

Thanksgiving is the time when family and friends gather around the table to share both warm feelings and good food. Well, that’s the Hallmark Channel myth that most of us grow up with. The reality, of course, is that Uncle Phil will drink too much and divulge that he voted for Trump, and your mom will tell you that she should have made the turkey because yours was too dry. This year, we have a suggestion about how to handle Thanksgiving. First — institute a no-politics policy at the table. Then allow Miami’s best chefs and industry professionals to give you their pro tips and hacks to turn your Thanksgiving into the best one yet.

Thanksgiving is next week, and you’ve prepared the perfect menu that combines traditional turkey with modern twists. That’s great, but how is your cocktail game?

Sure, there are many spirits out there, but rarely do you find one with the staying power and brand recognition of Jack Daniel’s. The Tennessee whiskey, a favorite of Frank Sinatra’s (who’d famously polish off a bottle at his concerts), is celebrating its 150th birthday by taking a little vacation — to Miami.

Running out of booze and not being able to drive (or have someone drive you) to get more is a legitimate problem anywhere, much less Miami. Enter Instacart, the app-based service that now delivers alcohol from ABC Fine Wine & Spirits directly to your door.

This week has been a long one for Miami and the nation. We’ve elected President Trump, had our morning-after political hangover, and spent a lot of time at the water cooler asking, “What the f—-?” It’s time to forget all of this political chow-chow for a few days and enjoy. This weekend offers a ton of events — from snagging a free beer to howling at the moon to stuffing your face with hot dogs or heritage pork.

Two factors that make beers from Jester King Brewery coveted by local craft beer connoisseurs, according to Boxelder Craft Beer Market owner Adam Darnell, are the quality of the brew and the lack of distribution.

Opa-locka’s Legacy Caribbean Craft Brewery will officially launch its beer today at an event beginning at 7 p.m. at 305Brews in midtown. There, Legacy’s first two brews in distribution — Clubhouse Ale and Humble Noble IPA — will be served on tap for.

Walk down the back hallway of Miami’s Tacocraft, and you’ll soon find yourself at the doors to a new hidden bar its creators call one of the area’s only mezcalerias.

The historic Delano Hotel in Miami Beach is known for its grand appearance and artistic décor, but the 21-year old brand is celebrating its history appropriate to Miami culture- with drinks. The first cocktail hour of its kind for the hotelier boasts libations and a light bites menu. The drinks…

The weekend is here, and it’s time to celebrate with a proper drink. Thankfully, the art of the cocktail is alive and well in Miami.

Since opening in 2011, Coral Gables’ the Local Craft Food & Drink has been known for its fine pub grub and extensive beer selection. With nearly two dozen well-curated items, it’s a great choice for beer lovers. If, however, you simply opt for a brew when dining, you’re missing out on Will Thompson’s cocktails.

While Miami is often considered to be the unofficial capital of Latin America, with countries like Peru, Argentina, and Cuba widely represented in cuisine and culture, lesser known countries like Chile don’t often get time in the spotlight. Chile’s national travel and tourism board, ProChile, would like to change that…