On Tuesday, Miami's first craft beer market opened! Since I had the afternoon off, I convinced Walter to play hooky with me to try out the new market. With 20 different taps to offer, it was an easy sell.
The term "craft beer market" seems like a marketing ploy to get around calling the place a bar. This is a bar disguising itself as a "market". But perhaps I'm mostly just confused because places like this don't exist in my hometown. We had bars, we had taprooms, and we had bottles shops, but never some weird mix of all three. I'm a fan of the market. Before buying a growler of a new beer, I can try the beer on tap right there. Want a bottle too? They've got those as well! It's a place for craft beer enthusiasts to come together to enjoy new and interesting beers.
The atmosphere of the bar is laid back and minimalist in style. The owners were welcoming and knowledgable, but most of all, very passionate about beer. I decided to go with a Crossing Streams, an IPA collaboration from MIA Brewing Co. and Coppertail Brewing Co. Though I've had this beer countless times while at work, it's a totally different experience drinking a full pint of the beer outside of the taproom. The Crossing Streams is a solid IPA. The finish is a bit lackluster, which is more noticeable the deeper you get into the glass, but overall, it's a good, easy drinking IPA.
Walter got Sixpoint Brewery's Sweet Action, a deliciously balanced Cream Ale. From the little sip he was willing to give me, this beer is more complex than it originally appears. The hops play nicely with the sweetness of the beer, which makes it all the more refreshing. This beer is definitely something I'll be coming back for.
After Walter left (he apparently can't just hang out with me all day and has to do work), I had a Resin from Sixpoint. This Double IPA has become one of my new favorite beers since moving to Florida. Sixpoint is known for playing loosely with style guidelines and this beer falls into that category. At only 9.5 SRM, Resin still manages to be super balanced even with over 100 IBUs. The subtle malt backbone let's the "resin-y", piney hops shine through; it's an ode to hops in a glass.
The quiet beer hall was a prime location to sip on my beer and enjoy a book. I'm currently reading Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures, which I actually started to read when Walter and I first started dating. It's a great book from one of my favorite authors, it has just been one of those books that I seem to pick up to read at the wrong time, like at a bar where I get distracted by the cool beers and interesting people.
A few people wandered into the bar, curious to discover new beer. I, of course, encouraged the person next to me to try MIA's Kilty Pleasure, which he did with great success. And that's what this place is all about; discovering new breweries, styles, and beers, and sharing our mutual love of beer. Boxelder brings the taproom experience to you. It's an excellent addition to the Miami craft beer scene.
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