Fort Lauderdale

[John Sand]

We are visiting next month. Any recommendations, beer or otherwise? I've been before, but always willing to hear suggestions. A search turned up LauderAle, a nano. And I'm going to try to sail and kayak. Any Borg members down there? Meet for a brew?

[Chuck N]

This is all the help I can offer:

Went to Ft. Lauderdale a couple times in 1980/81 while in the Navy. the only thing I remember is that is was hotter than Hell (it was summer-time) but the bars were great. Not crowded at all being that it was the off season. The one bar had a wet bar but no one was tending (again, 'cause it was the off season)but there were a couple of nice looking girls swimming in it. Then, when they needed another drink they came strolling into the bar sans their swim-suit tops. All us guys dropped our jaws into our beers. The bartender calmly informed the girls that that particular bar was not a clothing optional bar and that they would have to put their tops on.

Needless to say the bar-tender lost what-ever tips he had coming at the time.

[John Sand]

Funny thing: I'm sure the first time I was ever there was on a Coast Guard Cutter, during the eighties (Boatswain's Mate, 81-87)
But I think it's changed!

[philm00x]

Funky Buddha, Miami Brewing, J. Wakefield Brewing, Wynwood Brewing. Most of these are in Miami, but Ft. Lauderdale is pretty much the center of the whole S. Florida scene.

[John Sand]

Well, I'm back. I tried a bunch of brews.
Funky Buddha Floridian Hefeweizen was only okay, maybe because I'm not crazy about fruit beer.
Vice IPA was bad, strong medicine finish. Maybe a bad batch.
Florida Avenue IPA, Monk IPA, Sweet Water Extra Pale, Holy Mackerel Panic Attack were all decent, but I didn't get a second of any.
I liked Key West Sunset, and gave Fat Tire another chance. Refills on both.
I highly recommend LauderAle Brewery. They make very good beer, and have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I had to go to the brewery to try it, and I'm glad. They were brewing right behind the bar. The owners run the place. It's only open four days a week. They brew one barrel batches, but demand is growing. They have a bigger system on pallets. I tried a Red, a Brown, an IPA, and an Imperial Stout. They were all very good, I thought the Stout and IPA great. It's way worth a visit, even though they are out of the way, down between the airport and the shipping port.