Atlas Oyster House is proud to present the next installment of Atlas Beverage Classes (A.B.C.). This semester we will be focusing on local breweries, wineries and distilleries, discovering what is going on in the beverage world right here in our backyard. In addition to the beverage tastings, we will feature small plates paired with each beverage, as prepared by Chef de Cuisine John Huggins.
A.B.C. will be held outside, on the Atlas deck, the first Thursday of the month (August through December) and will feature a local presenter discussing the highlighted beverages. Classes will consist of four tastings of beverages with four mini appetizers to complement each tasting. Classes will cover the basics as well as specific information regarding the history of the brewery/winery/distillery and their beers, wines, or spirits.
There are two classes every month, each an hour and a half long. The first class begins promptly at 5:00 p.m. with the second class beginning at 7:00 p.m. Class cost is $25 per person (plus tax and gratuity), per class, which gets each participant one tasting of each of the featured beverages. In addition, throughout the class, participants should be prepared for “pop quizzes,” where we will be giving away T-shirts, beer glassware, gift certificates and more. Seating is limited, reservations are required; be sure to make yours by emailing taylor@goodgrits.com or calling 850-287-0200. The featured themes for each class are as follows:
August 5th: Big Top Brewing Co. (Pensacola/Sarasota/Gainesville, FL)
When we started Big Top Brewing Company, there were no craft breweries in the Sarasota area and we set out to fix that. We have a great town, with a great history, and the only thing missing was that great local beer. We wanted to compliment Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture, the best art and design schools and world renown tourism. The best way we could do that was to craft beer that our home town can be proud of. With brewing, tasting, and entertaining happening at our location on Porter Way in Sarasota, we plan to continue the tradition of the arts and help Sarasota add beer town to its identity. Come step under our big top and see for yourself. Big Top Brewing Company artistically crafts world class beers, inspired by our passion, integrity, and the history of our home town.
September 2nd: Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, FL)
Founded in 2008, upon the foundation of our great state, we raised our roof to brew world-class beers and establish ourselves as Florida’s brewery. Having travelled through lands far and close, and finding inspiration along the way, we are proud to be here, proud to be Inherently Floridian. It has been our mission since day one to be Florida’s brewery. We love our neighbors, but we’re focused on providing our state with the beer it deserves.
October 7th: Rollins Distillery (Gulf Breeze, FL)
A former Navy pilot and chemist, Paul Rollins was looking for something interesting to do when he retired in Gulf Breeze. He had a vision — a destination distillery. Rollins and his son Patrick are the team behind this small-craft distillery, the first licensed distillery in the Florida Panhandle. Rollins Distillery, which is filled to the brim with large containers holding molasses, a variety of stills, coiled copper pipes, a fermenting room and a packaging/bottling area, produces out of its warehouse setting. Their most recent awards came with the gold medal for their “Cane Vodka” and the bronze medal for their “Rock n’ Rum” at the 2019 American Distilling Institute Spirit Competition.
November 4th: Islamorada Beer Company (Fort Pierce, FL)
The only brewery AND distillery in the Florida Keys, Islamorada’s south location is the best place to try our beer, spirits, and cocktails. Pair your favorite drink with island eats from our food truck, Spanky’s Kitchen, which serves daily in the taproom and beer garden. It was here in this laid back, neon yellow taproom that Islamorada Beer was founded. From the heart of the Florida Keys, we set out to make quality local craft beer with the drinkability that complements our lifestyle. Now we’re proud to be the first distillery in Islamorada too, with our unique, island spirits distilled on site then served up in handcrafted cocktails at the bar. With our friendly taproom and large, beautiful beer garden, Islamorada Brewery & Distillery is a must-stop for a refreshing drink, a tasty meal, and a good time.
Decemeber 2nd: Founders Brewing Co. (Grang Rapids, MI)
We at Founders Brewing Co. have been lucky to evolve into one of the highest recognized breweries in the United States. We’ve been ranked in the top breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com for the last five years, and we have several beers listed in the top 100 beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. We’re now among the top ten largest craft breweries in the country and one of the fastest-growing. We’re proud to be doing what we’re doing. We give credit to our staff for continuously working to reinvent what beer can be and thanks to our many customers for whom we work to provide world-class beers.
