As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to take a second to reflect on those beer aspects of the past year.
When Tim Rach invited us to pour beer at Pints for Paws, I don’t think I would have imagined how the rest of the year would go. Kelly and I rolled up to P4P with a Pivo Grodziskie and an Italian Pilsner; before the end of the year, I saw another Grodziskie (at TLH Beer Festival), and every subsequent festival has seen multiple Italian Pils on tap. We started with an old jockey box and hand-made signs; we finished with a website, swag, and a social media presence.
I poured with Kelly in Gainesville at Hogtown Beer Festival; with Brian and Dustin at Tallahassee Beer Festival; and with Dustin at St. Marks Beer Festival. In total, we brewed 30 gallons of Italian Pilsner; 10 gallons of Dark Mild; 30 gallons of Grodziskie, not counting Ale Pastor; and a peach hefe. I suspect the other members of the NFBL will be glad if I never brew another smoked beer.
Despite all of the work involved in brewing for and pouring at these festivals, it’s been a great pleasure to reenage with the local beer community, catching up with some old friends and making new ones. Even as more craft breweries open in the tri-state region, it’s amazing to me the energy that the local homebrewers bring to the beer scene. I am continuously inspired by the craft and creativity of the other brewers in the NFBL, and I can’t wait to see/drink what they’re cooking up for 2026.
So, as we prepare to kick off 2026 with the next Pints for Paws, we wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Sláinte!