This month on The Brew Review, it’s not just about the beer! I’m hitting ya’ll with a double whammy. I was lucky enough to be invited by Two Henrys Brewing Co. to come try a few beers as well as check out the wine selection at the resident Keel & Curley Winery. And let me just say, when you combine a brewery and a winery, you really can’t go wrong.
Located in Plant City, Florida, just a quick 25 minutes northeast of downtown Tampa, Two Henrys Brewing Co. and Keel & Curley Winery are definitely worth the short trip. The inside bar and seating area are bright and spacious, and the outdoor patio is a HUGE fully covered space (bonus points for coverage during our Florida spring rainy season). With lots of bench-style seating, there’s plenty of room for big groups. OH and dogs are welcome, so count me in.
Before we dive into the mouth-watering brew review, let’s take a moment for a quick history lesson behind how Two Henrys Brewing Co. got their name. Once upon a time, two well-known Floridian fellas, Henry B. Plant of the West and Henry Flagler of the East, basically built up the entire coastline of Florida. By creating hundreds of miles of railroads and countless hotels, these two essentially laid the foundation for the wonderful tourism hub that Florida is today. As an ode to this bit of rich Florida history, Two Henrys Brewing Co. got its name.
Now let’s not forget about the Keel & Curley Winery! Started by a blueberry farmer in 2003, K&C is unique in the fact that the majority of their wines are made from blueberries instead of grapes. I didn’t even know this was possible, so I was super excited to try their wines. And as you’re about to find out, they did not disappoint.
The Brews: Two Henrys Brewing Co
One of my favorite parts about 2HB is their seasonal selection of beer. In fact, most of their brews only stick around for about two months, so as if you need another reason to go back – at least go to check out what’s new on tap. Aside from their constantly rotating selection, 2HB also has a few signature beers which they always have on draft and can be found in stores throughout Florida. These include the 7 Mile Bridge IPA, 2HB Pale Ale, the Gilded Age Golden Lager and the Biltmore Blueberry Vanilla Wheat (one of my all-time favorite beers, even before visiting 2HB!) For you cider lovers and/or gluten-free followers out there, there’s also a huge selection of delicious ciders at 2HB to choose from!
I’m not exaggerating when I say that we tried EVERY beer on tap in this visit. There is some serious variety amongst these brews, each of them unique in their own way. Like I said, the Biltmore Blueberry Vanilla Wheat beer is my absolute favorite and has been since moving to Tampa and randomly picking up a six-pack before heading to the beach. The flavor is well balanced between fresh blueberry and warm vanilla without being too sweet, making it the perfect summer beer of choice. Another favorite on my beer flight was the Winter Snowbird Mazen, an amber ale. This medium bodied beer was full of wonderful spiced flavors that reminded me of Christmas time and made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. And with it’s spicy but sweet flavor and light body, the Roasted Jalapeno Blueberry porter wins the award for being the most unique brew of the day. I don’t usually go for cider, but when in Rome, right? I really enjoyed the Strawberry Lime cider and found it to be refreshing, as well as the Elderberry cider which had a slight floral taste.
Beer From Left Top: Elderberry Cider, 2HB Pale Ale, Jameson Steamboat Stout, 7 Mile Bridge IPA, Biltmore Blueberry Vanilla Wheat
Beer From Right Bottom: Gilded Age Golden Lager, Roasted Jalapeno Blueberry Porter, Hefeweizen, Snowbird Mazen, Strawberry Lime Cider
The Wines: Keel & Curley Winery
To be completely honest, I’m not much of a wine-o myself. I typically stick to a glass of sauvignon blanc with dinner on a weeknight and don’t typically deviate from that. I never drink red and I never drink wine when I’m out, I’m just a good ol’ beer girl. BUT Keel & Curley truly made me a believer in blueberry wine. The majority of the wines I tried were on the sweeter side (fine by me) but they do offer a selection of dryer wines too. My personal fave was the Key West Key Lime white wine, it tasted like a vacation with the perfect combo of sweet, limey and coconut flavors. Like I said, not a red wine girl over here, but the Black Raspberry Merlot stole my heart with its rich berry flavor and smoothness.
The Tour: Two Henrys Brewing Co. and Keel & Curley Winery
I’m actually fascinated by the inner workings of breweries, so I never pass up a brewery tour. This tour, in particular, was fun because you get to hop on a trailer and take a tour of the blueberry vineyards on the way out to the brewery itself. Our tour guide was entertaining and knowledgeable, and we got an in-depth look at the machinery that goes into the beer and winemaking processes. Definitely check it out if you have the chance while you’re there! Just ask the bartender when the next tour is, and it’s only $5!
Aside from the outstanding selection of seasonal beer, cider, and wine, Two Henrys has an extensive menu of delicious food. Don’t make the mistake of eating before you go (like I did) because the food selection is seriously fantastic. I did manage to make room for a cheeseboard once the beer munchies started kicking in. There was live music to accompany our beer tasting, and friendly, helpful staff to help educate us on our choices. So next time you’re feeling like getting outside the Tampa City Limits, I highly recommend checking out Two Henrys and Keel & Curley Winery!
Special note: Two Henrys will be at the Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival on March 3rd at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park near Downtown Tampa! Make sure to check them out there if you get the chance to attend!
Cheers!
xx
