By Orlando Beer Guide

    Summertime is a great time of year for those of us who love beer!  Homebrewers whip out their finest "Lawnmower Beer" recipes, summer travelers get to sample cool new beers while visiting new destinations, and beer stores and local bars have an increasingly large selection of craft beers specifically made to be enjoyed during the heat.   

    It seems like each year there are more and more beers out there that receive the label "Summer Ale".  I would venture to guess that pretty much every craft brewery has their own version of this type of beer.  Last summer we took a little trip up to Maine and really enjoyed Gritty's Vacationland Summer Ale.  It is probably our personal favorite and the best we have tried.  I snapped the above picture of my wife enjoying one while looking down on the Porcupine Islands in Acadia National Park.

    So here's a few other Summer Ales that are available here in Orlando.  Which one is your favorite?  Let us know if you have a good one that is missing from the list...

We try to stay positive with the things we write here at Orlando Beer Guide. But had to make an exception to our rule after we paid a visit to the old Hospitality Center and tasting room at Sea World Orlando the other day...

The free beer stopped flowing at Sea World Orlando's Hospitality Center on January 31, 2009.  It was a long standing tradition at the Anheiser Busch Theme parks to provide free tastings of their beer. Busch Gardens in Tampa opened in 1959 and offered free brewery tours and samplings in the nearby brewery for 50 years.  Sea World Orlando's Hospitality Center opened in 1992 and extended thirsty guests a similar courtesy by providing free "tastings" to patrons of their park.

We have fond memories of happy times we spent at Sea World Orlando's Hospitality Center so we were horrified when we stopped by recently for the first time since the beer went away!   A very CiCi's like "All You Can Eat" Italian Pizza and Pasta Buffet has replaced the old Brewmasters Club.  They have left behind some of the old beer equipment and decor as a grim reminder of what once was...
  

THE FOOD:

 North Carolina:
Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich on Toasted
Brioche Bun, Topped with Southern Slaw.  Served with Gaelic Ale Sweet Corn Grits

Atlanta:
Red Brick Wee Heavy Chipotle Braised Short Ribs with Georgia Peach Risotto

Florida: 
Glades Gumbo -  Thick & Spicy Gator
Packed Gumbo served with White Rice White Rice and Fried Frog Legs.
Cigar City Brewing Spent Grain Bread:  Fresh, Warm Spent Grain Bread, Served with Wild
Night Honey Cream Ale Whipped Butter.
 

The Beers:

Highland Brewing
- Gaelic Ale
- Black Mocha Stout
- Oatmeal Porter 

Red Brick Brewing
- Old Stock Ale
- Wee Heavy
- Hoplanta

 Green Room  Brewing
- Head High IPA
- Shaka Stout

 Swamp Head  Brewery
- Wild Night
- Cottonmouth Wit

 Tequesta Brewing
- Gnarly Barley
- Big Hitter  Bitter

 Cigar City  Brewing
- Maduro NITRO
 - Bone Valley Brown
- Ligero
- Florida Cracker
- Jean Ribault  French Pale Ale

Seventh Sun
- Belge Brune (Belgian strong)

 Terrapin Beer
- Easy Rider
- Road Warrior
- Phlux Capacitor

Monday, May 14th:
Florida Craft Brewery Day
The tap room will be tapping a keg of Swamp Head Brewery's Stump Knocker(American Pale Ale) and Cigar City Brewing's Table Saison(Farmhouse Ale) to kick off the celebration of American Craft Beer Week. 

Tuesday, May 15th:
Pink Boots Day: "Women And Beer"
Orlando Brewing will be celebrating women in the beer industry on this day. Women will pay only $2 to drink any of Orlando Brewing beers on draft!

Also, Starting at 7pm there will be a Chocolate and Beer Tasting for $10. The tasting will include 4 Orlando Brewing beers(5 oz. each) paired with chocolate from Farris and Foster's Chocolate Factory.

Please RSVP for the tasting. You can e-mail [email protected] or call the taproom at (407)872-1117.

Wednesday, May 16th:
For the Love of Beer
Pre Release party for Brewmaster's Masterpiece "Lazy Rider" summer ale.   Starting at 7pm, there will be hosting a private pre-release tasting in the back of the brewery for a $5 donation to the brewery's "Bus Fund".                  

Happy Hour Prices will be extended to closing (10pm)  tapping a keg of European Pilsner Dry Hopped. Limited Supply!


Thursday, May 17th:
Craft Beer &Jazz
                 
Sam Byck and the Tricky Dickies will be hosting an evening of original and improvisational jazz music at Orlando Brewing. You can enjoy free entertainment from Sanford's slick Jazz quintet. The music begins at 7 pm and is fueled by your presence. Admission is FREE and beer is elegantly crafted by Florida's only organic brewery.


Friday, May 18th:
Fire Up the Engine
                  
The beer engine will be up and running starting at 3pm with cask conditioned Olde Pelican EPA flavored with White Oak wood chips. Only one keg and it won't last long! Free live musical   performances starting at 9pm by The Actomatics and their blend of roots and rock.

Bistro Babe's Cafe Food Truck will be on-site at 6pm.


Saturday, May 19th:
Live Music & Brew Masterpiece Release
                 
The next release in the Brew Masterpiece Series is a Summer Ale and will be on tap starting at 1pm.

Sunday May 20th
Dogs and Beer: Man's Best Friend

Sunday is the official dog day at Orlando Brewing. What a great day to enjoy a fresh organic brew from your local craft brewery and for you and your dog to have a day to share with your friends together.