For Valentine’s day, it was been going The Mack House in Davie, which is near my job, since I saw they had Crooked Run beers on tap as well as a special grilled cheese or an event at Boxelder in Miami that I saw on Facebook titled “Pure Romance Valentine’s Day”, which was being put on by Maeloc Cider.
I opted for Boxelder since one, I figured it would be easier/better for me to drive home from here since I live in Miami and one of the girls from the Craft Beer and Body Group Florida mentioned she would be here and get someone a cider or Estrella Galicia.
I happened to find a parking spot in the area behind Boxelder, after I parked someone honked at me, I looked behind me to see a Gold Mercedes SUV with a bike rack. I’m thinking to myself, I don’t know what you are honking at, if you think I’m leaving, I’m not and I certainly didn’t see a reserved for you sign where I parked, I’m not moving, so you should find another spot man.
I walked into Boxelder and looked at their menu.
Started with, Anatolia Skull, by Bottle Logic, 12.5%, Imperial Porter, described as “Willett Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter finished with Turkish figs and Coldbot Coffee espresso beans!”
I disliked that it only came in a 5oz pour and was $9.00. I’m always in my head curious how they come with the prices and sizes here. Since on the menu they had “Disenchanted” by Crooked Run which is 18% and appears to be $12.00 for a normal sized pour or perhaps 8-12 oz (Though I think i’m incorrect in that, since I looked on Unatpped and saw someone posted a picture of a small pour and not regular sized glassware). None the less, it was a enjoyable, though I would have liked more. I got the bourbon and fig notes within.
I sat outside and enjoyed the weather and beer until heading inside around 7pm, since from my understanding the event was to begin at said time. Picked at seat at the bar and ordered, Rye-Ley by the Tank, though for some reason it’s misspelled as Rye-lie on Boxelder’s menu.
Rye-Ley, 8.0, by The Tank Brewing, described as, “Wild barrel-aged Rye Stout. Rye stout conditioned in a Wild Turkey bourbon barrel for 12 months with Brettanomyces Claussenii. Tasting notes: tart red cherry, dark chocolate, sherry, and bourbon oak. delicately carbonated.”
I think the Tank makes some good beers. I enjoyed this. I noted some oak. A little spicy notes, bourbon notes. I get a little bit of the brett, I’m not sure if the brett is downplayed in this or if I’m still getting used to trying to taste this more in beers. I’m not 100% certain if I tasted too much sherry, though there was a little.
Taylor, from the Craft Girls Beer and Body Group FL, came in a little later since on I-95 there had been an accident. On my way to Boxelder, on the Turnpike I saw the board that alerts you to incidents, stated “Two left lanes blocked on I-95 South at 103rd Street”, I was like fuck that, I’m not going down I-95, so I got off on at 826 West exit and took back streets to get here.
She mentioned she was stuck in traffic for an hour and a half, I’m glad I wasn’t and know my way around Miami.
She was the representative for Maeloc Cider and Estrella Galicia, which I thought was pretty neat. She said Hi for a moment and then had things to attend to, she wanted to order the Maeloc Dry Cider, though for some reason the keg had exploded and there was none of that other than sitting at the bottom of the cooler in boxelder, which they were cleaning/trying to get it out.
After the Rye-Ley, I decided to try the Pear Cider, which was available since the Dry Cider was not. The Pear Cider is decent, though I have also come to realize although I don’t mind trying cider, I prefer meads over them and obviously beer is number one.
The beertender was around and listening when I mentioned that I liked meads, so he gave me a tiny sample of what is listed under their Red Wine Section, Frederiksdal, Cherry Wine, which explained to me they, are left to ferment in open vats, and looking online it said, for a day after the harvest. The fermentation gives this wine a multitude of nuances.
I appreciate that I got to sample this, it was really good and I didn’t get the typical red wine type of flavor, almost a little thicker than wine.
So, the rep for the “Pure Romance” event had come over and Taylor had mentioned some of their products to me, we walked over to the table where she had set some things up for the evening.
I didn’t want to keep drinking the cider and well I just couldn’t, so I opted to try the Estrella Galicia. I have to say, for being not the type of beer I would normally go for, on their website they describe it as “Born in 1972 as “Especial Rivera”, Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial is our Pilsner Style Lager that would soon become our breweries flagship brand. Representing years of dedication to our craft and culture by our world renowned brewmasters, Estrella Galicia is lagered for up to one month in our state of the art facility to ensure quality and consistency. Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial is produced by using fresh water from our city of A Coruña, where the brewery is located. Then followed by using a delicate balance of pilsen and roasted malts, equal parts Nugget hops from Spain and Perle hops from Germany, along with our proprietary house yeast strain.”
After having darker beers and then cider, it was refreshing to say the least.
I had a great time! It was awesome hanging out with these ladies and getting to them now them, as well as being able to talk about sex toys, lubricants and various items.
Natasha was very helpful, she could be asked anything and will help guide you in the right direction as well as being knowledgeable and a nurse to boot!
I did end up with some stuff..
The Body Dew, which smells of vanilla and smells delicious to me! You can rub it on your skin, the direction say to spritz some on yourself after a shower. So aside from adult fun, you can get something to pamper yourself with too!