1. OrLANDO Brewing
As Florida’s only USDA certified organic brewery,
Orlando Brewing has been committed to creating
fresh brew in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot
German Purity Law of 1516 using only hops, malted
barley, water and yeast. No insecticides, genetically
engineered food, genetically modified organisms,
sewage sludge or irradiation. Its no wonder Orlando
Brewing was the first brewery to be declared Fresh
from Florida by the State of Florida’s Department
of Agriculture. Priding themselves as a brewery that
spreads craft beer knowledge “one pint at a time,” they host frequent brewery tours and a hop-
pin’ event called BEER:30. We spoke with their Director of Marketing Bill Droste recently.
aXis: Why did you choose this specific brew for the 3rd Annual Craft Beer Fest?
Bill: Orlando Brewing Uncle Matt's Organic Grapefruit Pale Ale is a perfect seasonal that
the Orlando Craft Beer scene will be proud of!
aXis: What flavors and ingredients make for a great Spring brew?
Bill: Let's go with Spring Fresh! Orlando Brewing beers are the only ones declared “Fresh
From Florida” by Florida’s Department of Agriculture.
Citrus - Uncle Matt's Organic Grapefruit Pale Ale. This 100% organic pale ale was brewed
using the very best grapefruit from Uncle Matt’s organic produce, Clermont, FL. A hop
forward pale ale brewed & dry hopped solely with Citra hops which impart citrus & tropi-
cal fruit flavors and characteristics. Brewed with the zest (not the fruit which is too biter) of
freshly picked organic grapefruit.
Fruit - Eve's Tonic - Babe's Brew #3 is an apple infused, oak aged American Strong Ale
Brewed in tribute to the first "Babe", Eve and her infamous apple. Eve's Tonic is full bodied
with a caramel sweetness upfront and a bit of bite on the finish. (On Draft in Taproom Only)
ABV 9% IBU: 67
aXis: What really distinguishes your brews and flavors from the other breweries making
similar IPA’s, Summer Ale’s, etc?
Bill: What distinguishes Orlando Brewing from others is our rich taste that is produced
from using Organic ingredients. Being the only USDA certified Organic Brewery in Florida
makes us proud and our beer taste great. We produce an IPA that is very drinkable because
it is not over the top Hoppy, a session IPA. Our Steamee Summer, an award winning Florida
Common Steam beer is made using Lager yeast fermented at 60 degrees.
aXis: How does the location of your brewery play a part in the taste, culture and overall
reputation of your brew portfolio?
Bill: Orlando Brewing is a beer manufacturer (Brewery) not a Brew-Pub. Therefore our
location in a warehouse district is appropriate and creates a certain amount of speakeasy
cool. We are all about educating the public about the greatness of craft beer one pint at a
time. Tours by a brewing expert are conducted daily (except Sunday) with an average of
125 attendees per week. Water supplied by OUC is near perfect and requires NO chemical
treatment for brewing. The brewery was opened in 2006 by beer aficionados who brewed in
accordance with the German Purity Law of 1516. Since then the popularity of Craft Brewing
by the public has encouraged us to get creative. Our response has been the Violator Series,
Brewmaster Series and Babe's Brew Series fostering creativity by our brewers. Babe's Brew
is actually brewed by the ladies of Orlando Brewing, no guys allowed.
aXis: What is the process of creating a craft beer that separates it from the traditional beer
production process?
Bill: National brands are production brews which incorporate many cost saving processes.
Brewing Craft Beer is an art form that rallies around taste and the adventure.
aXis: What is it specifically about craft beers that have contributed to the craft beer culture
growth in recent years?
Bill: As stated Craft Beer is a taste and a happening, that is what our upcoming generation
is about. They have discovered that Craft Beer from city to city and brewery to brewery have
different tastes and come from a unique beginning. Each with their own story. It is not out
of the realm of possibility that in the near future, various Craft Beers will have very loyal
following that will rally in the spirit of support as they do for the local sports team. Orlando
Brewing with its history encourages Support Local or as we say, "Keep Orlando Brewing!"
Orange Blossom
Brewing Company
Founded by a 7th generation Floridian Tom Mo-
ench who began home brewing before he was of
age to purchase beer, Orange Blossom Brewing
Company brews with their heart and soul into each
pint. As an individual who found his beer brewing
passion at an early age, Moench’s dedicates himself
to OBBC and creating quality crafted brews. After
nine years and 15,000 barrels, Moench rebranded
as the OBBC and is now brewing out of Lakeland, Fla. and their brews can be found in bars,
restaurants and stores throughout Florida.
aXis: Why did you choose this specific brew for the 3rd Annual Craft Beer Fest?
Tom: At Orange Blossom Brewing we currently have 4 year round beers and a seasonal but
we plan to pour all 5 at the Beer Fest. I'm so proud of all of them and their new release in
cans, I couldn't imagine leaving 1 out.
aXis: What flavors and ingredients make for a great Spring brew?
Tom: Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal. A Spring brew should be fresh, clean and crisp
to accentuate the passing of Winter. Our Spring seasonal is named Weisse Weisse Baby, and
it's a Bavarian style wheat beer that is just that. It's light and quaffable, yet complex because
of the unique German yeast combined with the breadiness of the wheat. It's a lot like bread
fresh from an oven, this beer should be enjoyed as fresh as possible. So when you see it, buy
it and drink it quickly!
aXis: What really distinguishes your brews and flavors from the other breweries making
similar IPA’s, Summer Ale’s, etc?
Tom: Well brewing is a blend of art and science. So, my beers reflect a personal vision for
craft beer, my tastes and artistic sensibilities which is going to be specific to our brews and
flavors. But I also have an incredible team of scientists behind me. And a state of the art
facility with the highest QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control) protocols. In fact, our
brewmaster has a PhD in fermentation science!
aXis: How does the location of your brewery play a part in the taste, culture and overall
reputation of your brew portfolio?
Tom: After brewing out of state for so long, I'm tickled to have moved our production to
Lakeland. Our beers are now the best they've ever been and it's really afforded us a ton
of benefits. We are also now truly local and contributing even more to the growing craft
beer culture where we live and brew. Orange Blossom Brewing is proud to be from Central
Florida, just like me, a 7th generation Floridian.
aXis: What is the process of creating a craft beer that separates it from the traditional beer
production process?
Tom: Craft beer is meant to be artisanal. Our first goal is to make an impeccable product and
then secondly a profit. Not the other way around. Macro beer is profit driven first. Which
doesn't generally result in high quality. The difference between Craft and Macro is like fine
dining to fast food. I believe beer is far too important to be treated as a commodity like it has
been traditionally in the US. And we're going to continue to help change that.
aXis: What is it specifically about craft beers that have contributed to the craft beer culture
growth in recent years?
Tom: I think the people that appreciate the finer things in life, have really built the craft seg-
ment. Life's too short to drink cheap beer, you know? It used to be if you wanted good beer
you drank imported beer. But how unAmerican is it to just accept not doing a good job at
something and then resign ourselves to buying from another country if we want excellence?
For cheap plastic toys, maybe, but certainly not something as wonderful and important as
BEER. The craft segment has fixed this. It's now widely accepted across the planet that the
US makes the absolute, best beer in the world due to the craft beer boom. Even the old great
brewing countries, England and Germany are taking note and making changes to emulate
our good work. I'm proud to have been working hard for better beer since 1981 and can't tell
you how awesome it is to have been a part of this great awakening.
ORLANDO’S CRAFTY NATIVES
Orange Blossom Brewing & Orlando Brewing Have
Secured Central Florida’s Spot on the Craft Map
In recent years the craft beer industry has exploded across the country.Technically defined as a small brewery,
craft beer connoisseurs know that craft beer is much more than that. Rather, it’s an art form.There’s a reason
Americans are bonding on this craft beer culture of sorts. Craft beer is enjoyed for pleasure and appreciation of
the creative brewing process.The intimate approach to a carefully crafted brew is an artisan take on an all time
American favorite social beverage. Right here in our very own Orlando, Fla. many residents are enjoying and
joining in on the craft beer culture development. Macro breweries have some competition as a few local craft
breweries win over Orlando’s taste buds.
To celebrate Craft Beer Month, and the 3rd Annual Great Orlando Craft Beer Festival, we spent some time
with the crew at Otown’s top two local breweries, Orange Blossom Brewing and Orlando Brewing. Enjoy these
fine locals with us and join the festivities on Saturday, Feb. 28th as Orlando craft beer lovers (and pub crawlers)
come together to raise a glass for a wonderful day in the name of friends,America and craft beer. Cheers!
- Katrina Poggio
Find our more about our local brews at UniqueBrewing.com and OrlandoBrewing.com
Saturday, Feb 28th • 3-7pm
Downtown Orlando