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Women are making significant contributions to the motorcycle industry. Born To Ride and Wild Wing Cafe is going to honor and recognize some of these prominent women during Women™s Rider Month on Sunday, May 31. Some of the most influential women in the industry will be attending. Their new products, inventions, and services are amazing and receiving some well-deserved attention. Sign up for the BTR Women™s Club and receive a gift.

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It is, perhaps, the hottest, most sought-after regional-edition Cuban cigar of 2008, but you’ll probably have to travel to Beirut to get it. The Ramon Allones Phoenicio Edicion Regional Exclusivo Líbano was made for Beirut’s duty-free circuit, and collectors of Cuban cigars from around the world are talking about this regional rarity. Distributed by Habanos S.A. dealer Phoenicia Trading, the new cigar commemorates the latter company’s 30th anniversary.

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By David Savona  

 Fernando León Asensio, one of the most powerful men in the Dominican Republic and the former head of La Aurora S.A., the Caribbean country’s oldest cigar company, died this afternoon. He was 87. León was at his home in Santiago, Dominican Republic, surrounded by his family.

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By Andrew Nagy  

Florida cigarmakers breathed a sigh of relief this week as House and Senate leaders agreed to exempt cigars from the tobacco tax included in a preliminary state budget.

The Senate had recently passed a budget bill that included a $1-per-ounce state tax on cigars sold in the state, as well as a $1-per-pack increase on cigarettes. The House version of the state budget did not include any new taxes on tobacco.

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In honor of this year’s Ultimate Bar Guide, tbt* asked its resident expert, Joey Redner, to pick the places for the true-brew believer. Here’s what he found on tap.

1. Oldsmar Tap House There are no TVs to distract, music plays softly in the background, and the bar and table seating are arranged in such a way as to draw patrons into conversation. Mix in regular cask-ale offerings and one of the best beer selections in Tampa Bay and you have a winner. 300 State St. E No. 107, Oldsmar. (813) 855-9181, oldsmartaphouse.com.

2. Mr. Dunderbaks’ Great German food and beer alongside some of the best craft-beer selections you can find anywhere. The staff is very beer-savvy and ready with suggestions. It hosts monthly meetings of the Tampa home brewing club BEERS (Brewing Enthusiasts Enjoying Real Suds) and features regular cask-ale offerings. 2222b University Square Mall, Tampa. (813) 977-4104, dunderbaks.com.

3. Tampa Bay Brewing Company The lineup is a little limited, but when you brew beers as excellent as TBBC does, it’s not a real drawback. The food is top-notch and showcases the beer to good effect. TBBC is easily the best brewpub in the state and a great place to grab a pint. Cask ales vary. 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. (813) 247-1422, tampabaybrewingcompany.com.

4. Dunedin Brewery The brewery reflects the sleepy beach-hamlet feel of Dunedin. The open layout showcases the brewing equipment. New brewer Madison Roane has greatly expanded the beer lineup and the small kitchen cranks out incredibly tasty and affordable pub grub. The Dunedin Nitro Stout is a thing of beauty! 937 Douglas Ave. Dunedin. (727) 736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com.

5. New World Brewery This mainstay sports an eclectic beer lineup, a killer jukebox and an outdoor patio area that demands to be lingered upon. The bar is cash only, and the only food available is pizza, but they sling some damn tasty pies, so don’t hesitate to order one. 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. (813) 248-4969.

6. The Mellow Mushroom This place is the anti-chain, and its beer lineup is a testament to the sort of independent spirit that’s made the franchise so successful. Fresh, quality food ingredients and the aforementioned killer beer lineup makes Mellow my pick for the best chain restaurant to enjoy a craft beer. 11955 Sheldon Road, Tampa, (813) 926-3600; 10959 Causeway Blvd., Brandon, (813) 685-1122. mellowmushroom.com.

7. World of Beer This Westchase bar sports a huge, though oddly random, selection of beer. Both a bar and a package store, you can buy rare beer to go. It doesn’t serve food, but is within walking distance of several quality eateries. WoB gets packed, especially on weekends, so it can be difficult to order a beer or hold a conversation. The staff could be more beer-savvy. 9524 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. (813) 852-BEER, worldofbeerusa.com.

8. Tank’s Tap Room This Carollwood multi-tap bar has seen many permutations, but its current stint is its best from a quality-beer standpoint. There are a staggering 51 beers on tap. One tower is dedicated exclusively to Belgian ales. The food is creative Pittsburgh-inspired pub grub. If you’re feeling peckish, try a Tankenstein — a 1-pound burger topped with fries, shredded beef, cheese, crushed cherry peppers, cole slaw, blue cheese dressing and a fried egg. 13150 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. (813) 961-BEER, tankstaproom.com.

9. The Independent The modern, artistic decor and Belgian-beer-café feel are a welcome addition to downtown St. Pete. The beer lineup leans heavily to European offerings with a focus on Belgian and German beers. No food, but there are many local eateries within walking distance. It’s a great place to grab a beer before a Jannus Landing show. 29 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 820-9514.

10. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse The name is a bit misleading, as the beers for BJ’s are brewed at Saint Arnold’s Brewery in Texas and shipped. BJ’s is a restaurant first and a brewpub/beer bar second. But quality brews and tasty food make it worth a visit. If you like dark, bold beers, the Tatonka Stout and PM Porter will never steer you wrong. 8002 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa, (813) 852-1910; 3800 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, (727) 525-4640. bjsrestaurants.com.

— Joey Redner is a Tampa resident and world beer traveler.

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source: 05/06/2009 www.tampabay.com

What a marvelous brewpub! If you love rich beers that are true to style, make your way to Tampa Bay Brewing Company as soon as you arrive in Tampa. There were nine house beers on tap when I visited in July, 2003. Making up the list were: Redeye Ale (an American Amber Ale), Jack the Quaffer Porter (Brown Porter), Old Elephant Foot IPA (on draft and cask), Iron Rat Stout (excellent Dry Stout), Wild Warthog Weizen (lots of spicy clove and banana flavors – delicious), True Blonde Ale (Kolsch with flavorful hops), One Night Stand Pale Ale, and a seasonal Trippel (9% alcohol with a very spicy, complex flavor)!  Microbrews, English and German ales, and Belgian beers (including Chimay and Lindeman’s Framboise) are also available on the guest taps.  Wings, blue crab cakes, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, calzones, tabasco stout-n-honey glazed salmon, steaks, paella, and pastas round out the excellent food menu. 

1600 E 8th Ave # A123 Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 247-1422 www.tampabaybewingcompany.com

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The beer industry generated more than $800 million and 5,500 jobs across Brevard County last year, according to a new industry-funded study released as a growing number of cash-strapped states consider increasing taxes on beer or other alcoholic beverages.

As part of the study, commissioned by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Beer Institute and undertaken by John Dunham and Associates of New York, the economic effect in each state — broken down by congressional district — was made available on the Web.

The industry is responsible for 3,033 brewing, distributing and retail jobs in U.S. Rep. Bill Posey’s 15th district and another 2,531 jobs in Suzanne Kosmas’ 24th district.

“America’s brewing industry continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this nation’s economic viability,” Tom Long, president and chief commercial officer of Miller/Coors, and chairman of the Beer Institute, said in a statement announcing the release. “Brewers in Florida have been a driving force in their communities for years by creating jobs and tax revenue for public services, and promoting alcohol awareness responsibility initiatives for retailers, schools and families.”

The study comes as many people involved in the alcohol industry think lawmakers will try to push more taxes onto their products to raise revenues. In many cases, lawmakers will add taxes to so-called sin products, such as alcohol and tobacco, because it’s an easier sell to the public.

Senate Finance and Tax Chairman Thad Altman, R-Viera, conducted workshops examining the beer and alcohol tax structure, but there is no proposal at the moment to make any changes. Senators included in their budget about $1 billion from increases tobacco taxes, including a $1-per-pack increase on cigarettes, but the House is opposed to those hikes,

State lawmakers in Oregon earlier this year made beer industry representatives woozy with a proposed 1,900-percent increase in the state’s tax on beer, the single largest beer tax increase in the nation’s history. The lawmakers pushing the tax say the additional revenues — a $2 to $4 increase per six pack, by some estimates — will go to state addiction treatment programs.

James Massoni, chief executive officer of the Melbourne-based Florida Beer Co., said he hopes federal and state lawmakers don’t eye more tax increases for beer and alcohol to raise revenues.

“This is not the economic climate to raise any taxes, especially taxes that directly impact every resident of and visitor to Florida,” Massoni said, noting a tax increase would “adversely affect our business, the entire supply chain, distribution and sales.”

He said up to 40 percent of the current cost of beer to consumers is because of state and federal taxes.

“The craft beer segment that Florida Beer Co. participates in was one of the glimmers of hope increasing in market size last year by greater than 15 percent,” Massoni said. “Any additional taxes that increase our costs and the cost to consumers will have a grave negative impact.”

Vivian Richards, a manager at Charlie & Jake’s Brewery Grill in Suntree, also was flat to the idea of any additional beer taxes. Charlie & Jake’s brews beer at its Wickham Road location.

“The economy is under enough stress right now,” Richards said. “I think they’ve taken from the public enough when it comes to beer.”

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Wayne Wambles, Recently of Foothill’s Brewing, to Take on Head Brewer Duties

Tampa, FL- Great American Beer Festival gold and bronze medal winner, Wayne Wambles will be the head brewer for Tampa’s newest craft brewery, Cigar City Brewing. Beer writer and Tampa native, Joey Redner, founded Cigar City Brewing in October of 2007. The brewery, slated to begin producing beer in September of 2008, will supply boutique draft, and bottled ales to central and west Florida. “We’ll be brewing high gravity English, American and Belgian style ales as well as a few lower strength classic styles and Wayne was a perfect fit for that approach. He thinks like a chef and believes in using quality ingredients to produce a quality product,” said Mr. Redner.

This will not be Wambles first stint as a brewer in Florida. Wayne was the head brewer of Buckhead Brewing in Tallahassee from 1999 to 2004, during which time he also won a gold medal in state competition for his Strong Scotch Ale. Wambles had this to say about his return to Florida, “I am coming back with much more experience than I had when I started out in Florida, without the restraints of corporate American. I would say that I feel liberated and much wiser than I was back in 1999 and I am looking forward to bringing my creative talent back to Florida in the form of great beer.”

Prior to Cigar City Brewing, Wayne was on the team at Foothill’s Brewing during which time Foothill’s took home two silver medals from the 2007 Great American Beer Festival. Speaking about the future of craft beer in Florida Wambles said, “The public is getting tired of Hamburger Helper for dinner every night and it shows on the shelves of the grocery store. We are seeing more specialized products everyday in our supermarkets. Whether it is chipotle lime instant rice to sushi being prepared on site to take away, the consumer is telling craft brewers that they are bored to death with the status quo. They are embracing the culture of craft beer as a result. We are moving into a craft brewing market that is growing faster than it ever has.”

Redner and Wambles, both 35, have been admirers of full flavored beers for years. While Wayne pursued the route of the brewer and Redner remained more a casual observer and commentator on beer, both feel they have learned valuable lessons about making beer. Said Wayne, “I think that the main thing that I have learned is that you shouldn’t compromise. Don’t water down your product or produce one just to suit the masses. Produce a product that you would enjoy. If you wouldn’t enjoy it then why would someone else?” Redner echoes Wamble’s sentiments, “I’d rather take pleasure in one or two quality beers that were made with flavor in mind, than force down a six pack of beer made from the cheapest possible ingredients. The astounding growth of craft beer is proof I’m not alone in that regard”

As to which products to look for both men say it is to soon to say, but Redner says, “I have a good buddy who is a bagpiper for Tampa Pipe and Drums and well Wayne makes a killer wee heavy (strong scotch ale) so it’s very likely that will be one of the first beers we do. Wayne likes Belgians so expect to see some of them and I am a porter and stout freak, so there will be dark beers.” Wayne quickly adds, “If the year renders me hops then I would also like to make several hop bombs before the end of the year.”

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Source 05/06/2009 http:// Beeradvocate.com