Nine breweries, one cidery, and one vineyard make up the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail. You could visit them all over time or make it a weekend adventure and cover the entire trail. As you visit be sure to get your map stamped. With all places visited, sampled, and stamped you will receive a prize. To get started pick up, or download & print, your trail map and head out on your adventure.
Over recent years both wine, and beer, have grown in popularity. Both have reached lifestyle status and by that I mean they have become a focal point at social gatherings. Craft, micro, or boutique (what ever word you choose) breweries and wineries have popped up in every state. Home brewing, although done since Biblical time, is a very popular hobby. Many, many, people find purpose for travel to taste new brews and relax with friends in different locals and environments while learning about their interests.
To say you are not a wine, or beer, lover simply means you haven’t found that one you find pleasurable. I have learned beer, like wine, offers such variety that sampling, affords the best opportunity to find what pleases your palate. And beers, like wines, pair well with some foods and not others. If you consider all the contributing factors, it’s no wonder some never find their personal taste. One might not try a dark beer because they are too strong but, that’s not always the case. Just as a pale beer is not always a lite beer.
BEER TRIVIA. Women were actually the original brewers of the early beer. It makes sense if you understand beer was a bready liquid, beer-like drink, and made at the same time the bread was being made. Those who brewed this were, understandably, very popular socially and often sold their brew.
Let me share my experience. I never liked beer until I started my journey into what pleases my palate. Up until then, my only experience were the American gorillas, Budweiser, Miller, Rolling Rock, my Dad’s favorite back in the day, etc. All of these are fine beers for many people, just not for me. First, I don’t like what I call “that “beer taste”. That one taste which may be stronger in some than others but it’s there. By tasting you can begin to zero in on what you like and don’t like. Is it Ale or Lager, wheat or rye, citrus & hops-how much or how little. It has taken me some time, and I am making headway but, I’ve not finished my journey. Looking back there were some funny times. One was actually video recorded so here you go. Have a laugh on me.
Some of you might say, if I don’t like it why start this journey in the first place? That would be my husband Denny. I can only say that for me, I love the journey. I love learning new things. I love walking in all circles. Like cigars, it allows me to interact with people outside my circle. I started by asking for suggestions from the bartender or a beer drinking friend but the first problem I ran into was I didn’t know how to describe a taste that stood out to me, or discern the taste when I was told. I forgot to tell you I don’t have the most active, or discerning, taste buds so that is a big problem. I tried a pilsner when told it was a mild beer but it still had that specific taste I didn’t like. I tried a raspberry pilsner but it was still there – ok I don’t like pilsners. Another bartender suggested Travelers brand Strawberry Shandy. This I liked but it wasn’t available in my home town and didn’t care for other brands of strawberry shandy. Traveling to Mexico I liked Corona and have since consumed my share. But in the US most beer drinkers say “That’s not beer”. I guess it’s too mild for many. I considered myself a woosie beer drinker but truth is it was all about NOT having that one taste I’d yet to put a name to.
BEER TRIVIA. Cave men would have probably come home after a day of hunting woolly mammoths and kicked back with a brew. According to archeological studies, man, woolly mammoth, and beer-like beverages did exist at the same time.
Moving along I tried wheat & rye, lagers, ales, porters, stouts, and more but it was always there. I now know much more about what I like & don’t like and what I don’t like is HOPS! That beer taste now had a name and I when I ask for suggestions I know to say nothing hoppy. Like many things, many people think the hoppier the better. Everyone’s taste is different. However, for me it’s nice to know there is more to beer than hops.
This could have gone a lot quicker if I’d spoken to more brewers but truth is my husband is not a beer drinker either and finding what I liked didn’t warrant that much time visiting Brew Pubs, even for me. Fortunately for me, my new brother-in-law came along and through his suggestions I’ve come a long way. I like brown ale. Wow! I like it enough to order it when I am out and try different brands with success. He was the one to point out that taste I don’t like, it’s hops. He doesn’t like it either. Now it seems so obvious but 20/20 hindsight is very intelligent. My son on the other hand loves hops and is always saying, here Mom, taste, this is a really great beer. Uggg. He loves IPAs. The hoppier the better. We have the same taste for wine but not so much with beer and coffee. He loves the bitterness. An appropriate saying here would be, What ever floats your boat.
This has been a process for me. I haven’t gotten into the food pairings as yet but I am sure I will. I have with wine & cigars and have experienced drastic differences when enjoying one with the right paired food or drink. The truth is I will never be a beer drinker. The calories and carbs will never be worth it but, I do enjoy a cold beer on a warm day or out with friends and that was my goal. I enjoy going through the craft beer section of a store looking for something I’ve never had and sharing.
So if you are looking for something different to do, beer drinker or not, check out the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail. You just might have fun sampling new tastes and learning a thing or two. And if you find you want to jump into beer making, there are a zillion products on the market to do so. Wine & Beer really are lifestyle interests. People around the world are making it in their homes.
BEER TRIVIA. Warm beer was the norm until the later part of the 19th century. Around this time there were about 4000 breweries in America. Most producing small quantities. Then came refrigeration, specifically refrigerated rail cars. Thank goodness, I tried warm beer in Germany many years ago and I never would have taken this journey. This opened up the country to distribution and while the smallest brews closed up, the stronger ones grew. The number dropped to 1500 by prohibition. These larger ones became mega breweries. In 1865 America produced just under 4 million barrels per year. In 1915 it was 60 million barrels per year according to the Economic History Associations, a concise History of America’s Brewing Industry.
Breweries, Cidery and Winery in the Wine and Ale Trail
- American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach
- Hop Life in Port St Lucie
- Islamorada Beer Company in Fort Pierce
- Mash Monkeys Brewing Co. in Sebastian
- Orchid Island Brewery in Vero Beach
- Pareidolia Brewing Company in Sebastian
- Sailfish Brewing Company in Fort Pierce
- Side Door Brewing Company in Port St Lucie
- Walking Tree Brewery in Vero Beach
The one winery in the trail is, SummerCrush Vineyard & Winery. Tag line Sun & Surf Winery Experience
The Roberts family, who own the winery, love all things sun, surf, sand, and sea which is the inspiration for everything they make. Their award winning muscadine and fruit wines provide an original taste and winery experience. They offer tastings and tours, and when that’s done, sit a spell and relax. While they do not allow outside beverages, you are welcome to pack up snacks or a meal to enjoy while you’re there. Free Live music is an enticement every Sunday afternoon. Their list of wines include a semi-dry white and red but the rest of their varieties are on the sweet end. Remember the sun & surf influence – semi-sweet and sweet wines are served chilled and a more refreshing beverage.
Located in Fort Pierce & nestled into a home built in 1901 is the Pierced Cidery. The now hot spot is a place to enjoy local fresh cider in the taproom while catching up with friends in the friendly home environment. Live music and an outdoor garden certainly add to the relaxing atmosphere. Tours are availably and, although not every day, food vendors are there – check the website for more info. Pet friendly atmosphere.
I know I focused on the beer but it was really about the journey and something new. In my search for sun & fun for adults I will come back to the breweries, cidery & winery for a night out with friends. Researching the history of beer has been interesting but way too much for this blog so, I opted to provide a few tid-bits of trivial information I found interesting. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed reading my beer journey and it sparks one for you. Start by visiting the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail but, if you aren’t from the Treasure Coast area, don’t wait till you get here. There is most likely one in your own back yard. As I said, this is a lifestyle giving purpose for travel. So travel around, one Beer, or wine Trail at a time.
The goal of this blog is to give you ideas to consider and, maybe spark a few ideas of your own. If you liked my thoughts please subscribe to my blog and come back often. I will share my two cents, travels, adventures and my parenting experiences. Here on TodaysTreasureCoast.com it will always focus on sun & fun in the Florida Treasure Coast. Until then, Eleanore