Grayton Beer Company, 217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 32459. #850-231-4786
website: GraytonBeer.com
Hours: Saturday 12-5

Experience before you go . . .

Well, we rested up enough from our Dallas/Fort Worth extravaganza so now it's time to go go again! You might've heard this already, it's kind of a common saying in retirement. Your 50's and 60's are your go-go years, your 70's and 80's are your slow-go years and your 90s....God willing you make it that far are your no-go years! So let's go-go people, let's go-go!!

Our friends of 40 years, the Cheney's bought a place in Florida on the panhandle between Destin and Panama City in a great little community called Nature Walk. So we hopped a plane and Florida here we come. October is a fabulous time of year to visit Florida. Temps are in the 70/80's and humidity is low which was definitely a deal breaker for us looking at places to retire! That's why we chose Tucson and the desert. So anyhow we had a ball with the Cheney's!! Biking all over town, golf carting when not biking, beach fishing, charter boat fishing, happy hour every nite, fabulous food with fresh fish, competitive Mexican train, beach strolling, sunset watching, golfing, shard glass crafting, uncontrollable laughing and of course Hoppin Brewery Touring!!! Yes, we slid in a HBT!! Now you might remember the Cheney's because Ed who I call Chaindog was on Tour #91, D&G's and both Suz and Chaindog were on #111, Obscurity! Not quite a HBT Frequent Flyer but an occasional connoisseur none the less!

Grayton Beer Company was a 3 mile bike ride which was fun on the way there and very interesting on the way back. Comfort beach comer one speed bikes are fabulous....easy does it and enjoy the ride. The four of us pulled up and locked the bikes in the bike rack. Haven't done a bike rack in quite a few years....no valet required!! Grayton is located in a very busy shopping area with all kinds of people running around and a number of them were hangin at the brewery....so great location! We commandeered a table for four outside on the front patio which was all roof covered which was good because 20 minutes in it started to rain, really rain, cats and dog rain....whatever that means!! As you know I'm a "sit at the bar kinda guy" so sitting outside at a table took a minute or two to get used too. Okay I'm used to it....let's order some barley pops! Suz, Kat and Chaindog ordered flights and I ordered a pint. Mixed in the flights we had 30A Rose - Gose (4.6%, 12 IBU) organic hibiscus flowers, bright berry notes, unique salty and tart foundation. 30A Beach Blonde - Ale (46%, 13 IBU) Noble Hops combine with a nuanced malt sweetness to yield a perfectly balanced, crisp and refreshing beer. 30A IPA - Session IPA (4.5%, 70 IBU) nice body being a session, hoppy with dank finish. Fish Whistle - American IPA (6.7%, 79 IBU) well balanced, full bodied, hoppy lovers unite. Also in the mix was Staff Pale Ale - American Pale Ale (5.7%, 51 IBU), Big Talk IPA - Tropical IPA (4.5%, 50 IBU) and 1890 Founders Ale - Red Ale (6.17%, 30 IBU). And of course I ordered the One Hop This Time - American IPA (6.8%, 75 IBU) citra hops. And to go along with all this beer drinking we ordered Beer Cheese Nachos which was over flowing the plate and a Beach Burger cut four ways.....good eating!!!

I managed to break away to take some pictures and to get a feel for the whole place. Walking toward the production area I see a couple guys working hard so I pulled out a card and introduced myself....we have Master Brewer Trace and Alex who was in training. There was mention of a second location where Alex would be the main dude....way cool and good for Alex!!

Grayton Beer Company has good beer and tasty food...right there is a great combination! Check this place out when you're tooling down Hwy 30A. It's a Hopping spot with food that will malt in your mouth and beer that will quench your thirst!! I know a little cheesy.....

Until next time and remember.....

Go get'cha one!!!