Beer in Florida December 2019

We visited The Crafted Keg, a bar/restaurant, on Christmas Eve at lunchtime. When we got there, they were not open. A beer delivery guy was also waiting. Someone drove up and said the other worker was out with the flu. She opened it up for us.

The Crafted Keg

We ordered our typical pretzel and also a plate of cheese and cold cuts. I ordered a flight of beer, choosing from their long list of draft beers.

My flight

Here's my list:

• #15 Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale (5.5% alcohol by volume) from Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company in Lexington, Kentucky--This beer was very tasty, even if it doesn't sound like a beer. This was my favorite of the batch.
• #18 Finn McCool (5.2% alcohol by volume) from Twisted Trunk Brewing in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida--This is an Irish Red Ale. It tasted pretty average.
• #34 Barnacled Manatee Barleywine (9.5% alcohol by volume) from Walking Tree Brewery in Vero Beach, Florida--I was expecting something a bit more zesty or impactful. I liked this brew but it wasn't my favorite.
•  #39 Night Swim (6.2% alcohol by volume) from Coppertail Brewing in Tampa, Florida--This was a nice porter that wold have gone better with some beef than what we ordered. Maybe next time.
• #48 Anoka Pineapple Shandy (5.6% alcohol by volume) from Hop Life Brewing Company Port St. Lucie, Florida--On the other hand, this was the perfect pairing with some light appetizers. Usually fruit flavors are the bane of beer but this pineapple shandy is a fine blend that was very enjoyable and fit the Florida tropical vibe.

 The bar also had a listing of ten ways that beer makes you healthier:

Why beer is good

At the grocery store I bought a six pack of Bell Cow Milk Chocolate Porter (5.6% alcohol by volume) from Jdub's Brewing Company in Sarasota, Florida. The milk-chocolatey flavor is nice and blends well with the dark robustness of the porter. I was very glad to drink it several times, though it is definitely not a "with a meal" kind of beer.

Milk Chocolate not appropriate for kids