Moving Forward, Never Straight.

I hope the holidays have treated you well -- and I hope you have treated the beer-lovers in your life even better.  There is a lot of choice out there in the craft beer world and that is a great thing around this time of year -- the temperature is low and the chance of a party spontaneously breaking out is high. So make sure you spoil your friends and loved ones with some good beer.

That is my craft beer public service announcement for the year.  Moving on.  . .

Little Giant is officially a "brewery in planning" so while we work on our licensing would like to invite you for tours of our operation.  This means we can't sell, unfortunately, but you can certainly taste our pilot batches of Pale, Porter, IPA and Wheat, with a Saison thrown in for good measure.

In order to avoid chaos tours will be available on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoons around 6pm. If you would like to participate, contact me at LittleGiantBrewer@yahoo.com.

Starting in mid-January we plan on starting Beer College limited to groups of 12.  Most of you have probably participated in Beer School at some of our friends establishments.  I believe Mr. Beery's in Sarasota has a good one on Tuesdays.  Beer College will take your Craft Brewing experience to a different level with a more formal Tasting Panel experience.  The method will be similar to the Quality Assurance/Quality Control practices we like to perform in the industry.  This may be strangely mundane to some fans and incredibly intriguing to others.  In any case my focus is always on having fun with beer, you can be sure of that. Stay tuned for updates.

In the meantime. . .

Mahalo!

A Move is Made, and So Is BEER!

The "Little Brewery on A Little Island" has moved to the big city.  OK, it's not really in the big city but close enough.  Operations have moved to 2230 Whitfield Park Loop Sarasota, FL 34243.  Tours are available.  You can get a hold of the brewery at LittleGiantBrewer@yahoo.com or at 941-962-6650.  Come by and see how it's done at Sarasota and Manatee Counties' first Microbrewery.  It ain't big but the beers are --- just kegged up some Billabock and the ConchShucker Pale is about ready to do the "happy dance" on your palate.

See you soon.

Happy September

Hey there,


Let's make this a Happy September, Folks.  If we can't be Happy, Joyous, or Jubilant then let's at least work on making it Lively.  Why the request for Liveliness?  Because otherwise we may melt -- it'll be 90+ degrees for another 6 weeks around here, and if we don't get up and do the Goat Dance under the full moon while drinking some cold LGB BillaBock we may not survive another month. Take my word on it.

By the way-- is it true that if doused with Craft Brewed beer, Bud Girls will melt like the Wicked Witch of the West?  You may wanna try that next time you're out.  Make sure to get some video & get back to me on that one.


Working on our new location down off of 301 in southern Manatee county.  These are exciting times for the The Little Giant Brewery.  For now we are still brewing at our Tarpon St. location.  I'll try to hold on to the shack for as long as I can even after the move -- It's just too good of a place to hide from normalcy.


Ok for now, the new contact number for Little Giant Brewery 941.962.6650. Scrap the (708) number.


Mahalo


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Sunshine Mountain

We may not have hills on Anna Maria Island but we have plenty of sunshine.  Now we also have plenty of Sunshine Mountain Saison.  Sunshine mountain is inspired by the love of good Belgian summer brews and the view from atop Leffis Key near Coquina Beach.

Debuting Saturday night at a private tasting & BBQ at the "Treehouse" in Holmes Beach, Sunshine mountain was met by comments of "pretty good," and "I like it, is there more?"  Said comments are much more desirable to this brewer than the dreaded classic: "Interesting, do you have anything else to try?"

Sunshine Mountain is brewed with traditional German and American 2-row Barley Malts as well as Saison yeast.  I also gave it special treatments with herbs and fruits that I will be glad to discuss with interested parties when you come to visit the brewery.

If you would like to make an appointment for a brewery tour and tasting feel free to contact me here or on Facebook or Twitter.  Make the trip to Anna Maria, it's a bit out of the way but it will be worth it.

Mahalo

Hard to admit but I'll do it anyhow

I love beer.  Even Old Style by G. Heilemann.  Just finished off the case of cans my friend Putz brought down from Chicago.  Hey, It's naturally Kreusened so at least it's got that going for it.  In the beer world natural kreusening is better than receiving complete consciousness on your deathbed.  Believe me, I know these things.


Res Ipsa Loquitor

Aw Mama, can this really be the End??

Little Giant Brewery is searching for a new home. I think anyone who has been there would agree that it doesn't get much better than 105 Tarpon but -- the powers that be are tearing it down. So, I am looking to expand production, get a bathroom and begin the next chapter of the Saga that is Little Giant Brewery. Saga, yes. It is a Saga. Similar to Beowulf but less bloody.


Well, I've been doing a decent job of keeping my head on straight during these "interesting" & turbulent times at Little Giant. Although, now that I think about it, anyone who witnessed me dive off the Rod & Reel Pier yesterday into a bait pod that was being monitored by a four-foot barracuda would probably differ in opinion.  While trying to stay sane and focused(focused like a Samurai) we have brewed a couple of special selections.  


The Strong Ale returns since rearing it's big, malty head last summer. A malt/hop backbone round out this 7.5ABV% Amberish Ale. Also a Saison is plodding along through it's fermentation as we speak. The Saison is getting a special treatment which I will keep under wraps until you taste it. It might be good, Heck, it might even make this long hot summer a little more bearable.


Mahalo

Craft Brewers Conference Chicago!

Hi there Folks. Little Giant Brewery travels to Chicago, Birthplace of its' Brewer, to do some business and find some unique brews at the 2010 Craft Brewers Conference. Among other things, like the welcome reception at The Field Museum, I'm really looking forward to catching up with some old friends and comrades from Two Brothers Brewing Company, Abita & Metropolitan Brewing. Great folks who embody the spirit of great beer and back it up with some great brews. The Siebel Institute of Technology is hosting an alumni event as well that should be worth some laughs and tasty pints.

I'll be hitting the trade show floor hard looking for some good small-scale production brewing equipment and any other deals I can get my hands on. The timing of the conference couldn't be better as Little Giant Brewery will be growing a bit over the summer -- talks with the City of Anna Maria have begun and a slightly larger and healthier environment for the Little Giant has been chosen. Steps away from our current tarpon Street location.

Ok for now, drop me line if you want to visit the brewery. You know you are always welcome!

BEERFEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

We really hope to see you all in Tampa, Ybor City in particular, this weekend. Why you ask? Because Saturday, March 6th is the Florida Brewers' Guild Beerfest 2010. Beer revelers of all shapes and sizes will descend on Centro Ybor to celebrate one of Florida's best liquid resources--- BEER!!! Craft breweries from throughout Florida will pour our frothy libations from 2-6pm. Find your tickets at FloridaBrewersguild.org. Little Giant Brewery will be pouring Illicit IPA, Overhead Peeler Porter, and BillaBock. Also, if you are really committed to wetting your liver Little Giant Brewery will be attending the annual Brewer's Ball at Skipper's Smokehouse(where they smoke EVERYTHING) on Sunday March 7th. Skipper's Smokehouse is located at 910 Skipper Rd. Tampa, FL. Come celebrate Florida beer culture at it's best!