Bars & Breweries

Wynwood’s J. Wakefield Brewing Company (JWB) opened on a wave of demand for its beers following a record-breaking crowdfunding campaign, but the brewery hadn’t distributed to Central Florida until now. This month, JWB will begin distributing its beers to more than 20 select bars and restaurants in the Orlando and Tampa areas. It’s also the first time the brewery has distributed in Florida outside its initial market. The distributor is Ohio-based Cavalier Distributing, which also has a facility in Lakeland, Florida.

Over the past decade or so, South Beach has honed its reputation as a playground for the rich and famous, where money is no object. It’s so common to see a $400,000 Maybach pulling up to the valet at Prime One Twelve for a $300 slab of Japanese A5 Kobe that we don’t even look twice anymore. So when dropping a few Gs on a typical Thursday is commonplace, whatever do you do on New Year’s Eve?

Getting food and beverage service at the beach can feel like an impossible mission. Getting up from your towel to sprint across the hot sand for a cold drink is simply out of the question. That leaves flagging down one of the hotel servers that roam the beach across the vast landscape of chairs, umbrellas, and sunbathers at the pool. Sure, you could bring beer or water, but what if you really want a frozen rum runner? You’re out of luck — until now.

The Shops at Midtown Miami offers plenty of solid fare and drink, but the one thing the retail center had lacked was a dedicated craft cocktail bar. Until now. Bitter Truth, located at the former Barú Urbano space (3252 NE First Ave.), officially opens tomorrow.

Yaakov Berg at Psagot Winery in Jerusalem wants to change how kosher and nonkosher wines from Israel are perceived on the global stage.

Three years ago, when Wynwood Brewing Company opened its doors, Luis Brignoni had no idea the brewery he and his father started would be as successful as it is. But after numerous awards and a positive reception by Miamians and the beer community at large, the brewery is doing so…

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.