So I am a few days past due on writing this but better late than never right?  So after the festivities of Saturday at Roger Dean Stadium I bring to you my top 5 beers from the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival.

5. Barrel Aged Double IPA – Big Bear Brewing Co. – To many in South Florida Big Bear is known for their great food with above average brews.  But Matt Cox, head brew master at Big Bear, can make some amazing brews as well.  Proof to me originally was the Imperial Stout that I had on nitro when I visited there.  One that I didn’t get to have was the Barrel Aged Double IPA but sure enough there was a keg of it at the festival.  Nice oak characters with a really well balanced IPA made this a delicious choice.

4. Maple Bacon Coffee Porter – Funky Buddha Brewery – I know what you are thinking, “Wait Mike you hate coffee.”  Yes I do but this one is so much more than just a coffee beer.  The nice sweetness of maple, some coffee bitterness, a hint of smoke and a nice creamy mouth feel.  This beer kicked in 15 minutes when it was tapped and people were chanting “Bacon!  Bacon!”

3. Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout – Cigar City Brewing – To many this might be number one.  This years Hunahpu’s was more chocolaty.  It had much more presence of the chili peppers.  It is was heavy.  It was amazing.  A new bottle of this year’s was much more impressive than last year’s when it was new.  And that is tough to top.  I can’t wait for Hunahpu’s day.

2. Vuja De – Cigar City Brewing/Saint Somewhere Brewing collaboration – Hey look, it’s CCB again.  But this time is with a collaboration brew with another Florida brewery, Saint Somewhere.  This was an amazing sour red ale.  A lot of complexity for such a young sour already.  I had a couple glasses of this one.

1. Chocolate Porter – Funky Buddha Brewery – Yes they are back on the list again.  While many clamored for the Maple Bacon Coffee Porter I instead couldn’t wait for the debut of their new Chocolate Porter.  I assure you I was not let down.  I can not wait until this one goes on tap at the brewpub.

Honorable Mentions:  Arsenal IPA (Tequesta Brewing Co), So Thank You Music (Funky Buddha Brewery), Yakima Glory on cask (Victory Brewing Co), Asian Saison (Cigar City Brewing) , Anne (Saint Somewhere Brewing), 60 Minute IPA through a Randall (Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales)

I know all those top 5 are all Florida breweries so you can call me a bit of a homer.  But to be honest the bigger breweries from outside the state didn’t really bring much rare or special stuff.  It was the local smokies that dressed to impress.  And impress they did.  Congrats to all you Florida breweries that came out and put on a great showing.