Every year around this time, the buzz surrounding the Great American Beer Festival starts to wave over the nation, rightfully so. October 5th through October 7th in Denver, CO, over 800 of the nations best breweries will feature ~3,500 different craft beers to be sampled, judged, and enjoyed by all festival goers and judges from around the world. This year, Big Storm Brewery is honored and flat-out stoked to announce that we are attending GABF and will get to show the rest of the country what we are all about. As if being extended an invite wasn’t enough, Big Storm Brewery will also have our Head Brewer, Joel Moore, speaking at GABF on behalf of our brand and his exemplary knowledge and expertise.

Our Head Brewer gave us a quick insight into what he will be speaking about at the festival- bare with us. . . because it’s technical! Joel will be exploring alternate approaches to sour American ale production, covering the flavor differences between two different methods (common lactobacillus kettle sour vs. post-fermentation blending with a lactobacillus mother culture, to be exact). He will also be discussing the style evolution of Belgian-style quintuple** ale, as well as venturing into the topic of primary fermentation in stainless steel, racking, and re-fermenting in used Chardonnay French and Hungarian white oak barrels. Impressive stuff, if I do say so myself.

(**A Belgian gold ale fermented in oak barrels, also known as our Category 5 Belgian Quintuple)

There is no doubt, we are having a killer year. Community involvement, partnerships, and demand for our craft brews are at an all-time high. We will be taking the time at GABF to showcase some of our best, and most coveted, beers.

 

What to Expect:

Palm Bender Gulf Coast IPA : Made with Cascade hops, floral, pine, and citrus flavors (Hopheads, don’t miss this one!)

Brett Florida Pale Ale : Pours a hazy golden straw with mellow grainy malt sweetness.  Hop flavors of tropical fruit and citrus dominate with the characteristic finish of brettanomyces funk

Imperial Bourbon Rye Ale : Rye Ale aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels; aromas of stone fruit esters, bourbon, wood, and vanilla; malty sweet flavor with earthy rye characteristics; bourbon and oak undertones present

Tropic Pressure Florida Ale : Highly drinkable Florida Ale steeped in Hibiscus with a hint of cinnamon; also brewed with pale wheat and honey malt

Havana After Midnight Coffee Porter : Collab with King State Coffee Of Tampa; Intense start, ends with a sweet, pleasant finish; Aromas of lightly roasted coffee and cigar tobacco

 

We are looking forward to seeing our familiar friends as well as making new ones. So If you will be adventuring to GABF be sure to stop by and see us! Huge shout out to Visit St. Pete Clearwater (@VSPC) for bringing us along with them on this journey, we are beyond grateful. Also joining us with VSPC is: Crooked Thumb Brewery, Cueni Brewing Co., Mad Beach Brewing, Mastry’s Brewing Co., Pair O’ Dice Brewing Company, and St. Pete Brewing Co.

No more tickets are available for the festival, but you can still enjoy our craft brews locally! (Isn’t that a relief?) Come visit us at either taproom location in the Pinellas or Pasco areas where we have continually rotating taps, great food, and a laid back atmosphere for all crowds! To keep up with Big Storm Brewery, where we are, and what we are up to: “like” us, tweet us, and follow us.