I headed towards Indian Harbour Beach to appraise the offerings of food and beer (these are a few of my favorite things...) Beachfly Brewing Company had to offer the general beer lapping casual omnivorous dining public on the Space Coast. As soon as I was able to once again focus on the task at hand, I tried to take a seat at the bar. I was seated at a table and began to zealously read the proferred menu. Trying not to concentrate solely on the potables, I also took a passing glance at the food items. It seemed to be your standard Pub-type offering with hipster influences including the ever-popular rice bowl. A humanoid was seen leisurely approaching our table and when he finally got there, introduced himself as Julian and asked if we were ready to order or had any questions regarding the menu or types of beer on hand that day. While I found Julian to be competent in carrying out his job duties, his pace was rather languid in its execution. I ordered a Beer flight of Space Kolsch, Purple Porpoise Pal Ale, I(hb)pa, Turtle Trax Wheat and a sampling of the Canola Sunrise Ale along with one order each of the Tropical Pork Rice Bowl and their Catch of the Day Fish Tacos (in this case Grouper).
The first beer to be sampled was the Space Kolsch which is in the style of a crisp German ale. I found this beer to be delightful and came completely as advertised -- 4 Stars. Next to soothe my parched throat was I(hb)PA. Not only is the name creative, but I found the barley pop to be as well. With the combined pine/citrus thing it has going on, I found this to be complex and delicious and with a 3.5 Star rating, my second favorite of those sampled. Moving on to the Purple Porpoise Pale Ale. This was not as good as the SK, but it wasn't awful either and I found it to be an average example of an American Pale Ale -- 3 Stars. Continuing my journey I reached for the Turtle Trax Wheat which offered citrus notes to the aroma and taste, however, I found it not as good as the previous samples and so give it a 2 Star rating. Finally, I arrived at the final liquid bread on my flight, their Canova Sunrise Ale. While this did come as advertised and had a lovely red hue to it, I think in trying to make it less bitter they did something too much or incorrect and ended up not only brewing the bitterness out but most of the taste as well. I was taken aback as I have never experienced tasteless beer before, but here it was. I might be able to chalk it up to being the last one sampled and perhaps I was slightly inebriated, but the sizing of the glasses along with my tolerance and bulk seem to indicate otherwise -- 1 Star.
With the exploration of libations out of the way, it was time to turn the Big Boy loose on the food. The Tropical Pork Rice Bowl could be humorously called the Tropical Surf and Turf Rice bowl as it came with some prawns as well as the advertised pork. The shrimp seemed to be low end or perhaps frozen too long as it had the texture of shrimp that is low end or had been freezer burned before cooking. It was slightly tough to chew and lacked any and all taste. the beans were cooked to perfection and I did find the cilantro cream to be interesting on the palate, but overall I found this offering to be on par with the last beer sampled.
The Fish Tacos had huge chunks of real, honest to Babe Winkelman Grouper that was cooked properly (fish should flake apart with a fork) however what it had in preparedness it completely lacked in flavoring as it had zero, zilch, nada seasoning and the cabbage stuffed inside the toasted tortilla was from the crown, therefore, it was not rich in color nor flavor.
The Big Boy says, "There are worse places to eat and drink, or drink and eat as the case may be, but there are certainly better ones than my experience at Beachfly Brewing Company. Take a pass on this one, unless of course, you are looking for a place to drink with your beer buddies (stick to...
Read moreWent around 4PM on a Friday. During day 1 of their 3-day 3rd Anniversary beer and wing pairing event. I’m rating this through the lens of a special event, so I’ll stick to that particular topic since I haven’t visited on a “normal” day.
From the FB post:
“…BeachFly Brewing's Wing Pairing is Back!!! Our famous Wing and Beer Pairing is back! Join us March 21-23, all day, for a match made in heaven: 5 mouth-watering wings, each with a unique sauce or dry rub, paired with 5 expertly crafted Beachfly beers Beyond Our Menu! These unique pairings feature sauces and dry rubs you won't find on our regular wing menu, so don't miss out on the chance to try something new! Pairing Details: 5 wings, each carefully paired with a Beachfly beer to enhance the flavors Unique sauces and dry rubs for each pairing, outside of our regular wing menu”
Started with the Bacon Wrapped Dates for the appetizer. Delicious! Taste, texture and presentation were all excellent. Would recommend getting one for each person that wants a taste, however - the portion size is a little too small for sharing.
But on to the main event - the beer and wing pairing. As a project, this requires a huge amount of planning and preparation to pull off. Customers are brought their pairings along with a handy reference card (pictured).
Again, bear in mind that these are not the standard wing recipes - they are distinct originals that must be consistent in preparation and available in sufficient volume to meet event demand. AND reasonably matched to a corresponding beer flavor.
I definitely appreciate the ambition of the event, and at least for the time when we were there, the ability to meet the pace of the orders.
The three of us at the table had differing opinions on favorite beer, wings, and combo pair. In my case, the Garlic Herb wing and Tart Monk drink were my favorites, and definitely worked as a combo. The cherry cola wing deserves mention just for a “Wow, that’s interesting / unique!” moment, but overall I’d rather have the Garlic Herb wing as a main dish.
Worth checking out just for the experience of tasting ten flavors that you wouldn’t get to try all in one go.
Also, props for what appears to be a very wide range of activities and events, even got to see some folks sit down for a game of chess, and signs for book club and craft nights. Very nice addition to the...
Read moreReview for Beachfly Brewery
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Beachfly Brewery, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations! The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, perfect for enjoying a sunny day.
Good Options: Beachfly offers a fantastic selection of beers, with a range that caters to all palates. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, there's something for everyone. I particularly enjoyed their seasonal brews, which showcased unique flavors that set them apart from the usual offerings. They also have a few refreshing, lighter options that are perfect for sipping on a warm day.
Flavor: The flavor profiles of the beers are genuinely impressive. Each sip reveals the care and creativity that goes into brewing. I highly recommend trying their signature pale ale; it strikes a perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness, making it incredibly drinkable. The stouts are rich and flavorful, with chocolate and coffee notes that linger delightfully on the palate.
Appetizers: The appetizers are a great way to complement the drinks. I tried a few, and while everything was delightful, I would say the mousse and Cheez-Its stood out as the best. The mousse is rich and creamy, pairing perfectly with the beers, while the Cheez-Its are a fun and nostalgic touch that adds a great crunch.
Don't forget to get the koozie for your glass! The clear side allows you to keep track of how much you're drinking, which is a smart feature that I appreciated.
Overall, Beachfly Brewery is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. The combination of great flavors, delicious appetizers, and a friendly atmosphere makes it a wonderful spot to spend an...
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