Note: Central Florida’s craft beer community was dealt a blow last week as we learned about the passing of Orange Blossom Brewing’s founder Tom Moench. He was an absolutely fantastic brewer and a stalwart of craft beer in the area, and we were very lucky to bring him on the Florida Beer Podcast back in 2023. Please enjoy the following article about one of their finest beers as we wrap up our week at Raglan Road.
RIP, Tom. May the road rise up to meet you.
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Good puzzle would be cross Dublin without passing a pub.
- James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922.
In 1922, James Joyce released his book Ulysses, detailing the life of one Leopold Bloom as was lived on June 16th, 1904. It is far and away Joyce’s magnum opus, a weighty tome Joyce readily spoke about as being so full of imagery and meaning that it would be impossible for anyone to fully unlock its secrets.
While that has not necessarily been done yet, the book has launched a yearly pub crawl around Dublin celebrating not only the book, but the author as well. Taking its name from the central character, Bloomsday is a giant Edwardian party with large roving groups of people in period dress doing what you do in Dublin: pub hopping.
It is quite the sight to behold and absolutely a blast to be a part of.
This, for many reasons, immediately solidified Bloomsday (Pale Ale, 6% ABV) by Orange Blossom Brewing as my favorite of the four local flight beers on tap at Raglan Road.
Not only does Bloomsday (the day) hold a special place for me, Bloomsday (the beer) was a surprising, refreshing, and amazingly flavorful brew.
It has a nice floral aroma with a medium golden color that is quite clear. The flavor is resplendent with wonderful floral and honeyed fruit notes. This is finished with the most wonderful bouquet of lavender and rose I’ve ever tasted in a beer.
I love Raglan Road. It’s a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to go back, but there is something to be said about experiencing the real thing as well.
And my hope is that anybody going to Raglan Road will be able to go a second time, after experiencing the wilds of Dublin itself. The one thing I will say is if you can manage to be in Dublin on June 16th, do everything in your power to get there. It is a blast.
Drink Florida Craft,
Dave
@floridabeerblog
[email protected]
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