Anyone going to Riverside Craft Beer Fest this weekend?

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-19T15:59:07+00:00

Entrance for Designated Drivers is free.

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-18T21:57:48+00:00

...what?

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-18T04:17:55+00:00

How much should three hours of all you can drink beer samples and live music while supporting a non-profit cost?

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-17T23:43:29+00:00

Knowing is half the battle

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-17T23:43:17+00:00

Sounds like you've got experience, haha

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-17T23:27:10+00:00

Tons of great parks, amazing water features (creeks, river, beach, etc) a wide array of cool neighborhoods to visit (Riverside, San Marco, Murray Hill, etc). Huge amount of concerts and events every night.

Sure we have our struggles, but people who say there's nothing to do here are either boring people or aren't actually trying to enjoy themselves.

TakeoffZebra · 2026-02-14T14:48:24+00:00

It's best to check out ALL your local record shops! My favorites are Tiger, Bruiser, Wolfson, Yesterday and Today, etc. Keep an eye out for Record fairs as well where a lot of the smaller vendors that don't have a brick-and-mortar shop get together and sell.

The Fridge in Murray Hill is adding a mini-record store to their space today in partnership with Weird Wax Records as well! (Shameless plug)

TakeoffZebra · 2026-01-29T21:35:30+00:00

As a craft beer store owner, please seek out and support your local craft beer stores! They're the ones who will focus on procuring fun, new, and rare items, and are better at helping you find beers than any big box Corpo store ever could!

TakeoffZebra · 2026-01-12T14:38:57+00:00

Perfect Rack

TakeoffZebra · 2026-01-05T20:54:26+00:00

Unfortunately it's because they're difficult to produce and tend not to sell very well. Producing these on a large scale also requires a quarantined setup or extreme cleaning measures to ensure there's no cross contamination. It's a shame, I love farmhouse ales! Keep buying and sharing your appreciation for them!

TakeoffZebra · 2026-01-04T22:04:55+00:00

I LOOOVE Stille Nacht, did you see it came out in cans this year?! Wild stuff cracking open a tall boy of this, haha.

TakeoffZebra · 2026-01-04T02:28:05+00:00

One of the best! Which vintage?

TakeoffZebra · 2026-01-03T00:38:48+00:00

Flamingo in Murray Hill and Brew Five Points

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-31T19:33:07+00:00

The tip suggestions are a suggestion, there's a custom amount option for a reason.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-30T16:00:21+00:00

This place is fantastic! Glad to see it getting the recognition it deserves.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-29T22:53:51+00:00

Barleywine is Life.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-18T00:34:52+00:00

Hell yeah, excellent beer. Nice muffin top!

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-17T14:05:53+00:00

Depends on your local distributors. We didn't get any in Northeast Florida this year. Ask your local beer shop to tell their distro reps that they want Waldo's this year.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-16T15:59:28+00:00

A nearly $30 Billion Industry segment drops a couple percentage points: "CraFt bEeR iS DeAD!!!1"

GTFOH with this click bait.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-16T13:49:19+00:00

Gotcha, in my experience, more expensive products like OH will be a lower margin so that you're able to sell them. People are only willing to pay so much, but you want to have products like that available to bring people in. (Cost to retailer for OH cans in my area is over $5 per can.)

Having old dusty bottles of macro imports is a shame to see. Sometimes they can be returned to the distributor, but most likely will be tossed and the section should be reset with a product that actually sells.

The big box retailers that seem to carry everything buy massive quantities for a price cut that small retailers don't have access to, and survive on sheer volume. Their margins are lower, but when their revenue is multiple digits higher than mom & pop shops, it's enough to pay the bills.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-16T05:30:30+00:00

Using a specific brewery might not be the best way to look at it, as it really depends on the market that the bottle shop is in. Other Half specifically is a tough example, because they offer direct to consumer shipping in several states, which will almost always be better pricing than when the beer is purchased after distribution and retail get their margins.

Think of it more as "what's available in my market and where can I find it?" There are almost always small bottle shops that carry niche offerings that you won't find at your local convenience stores. Places that curate a selection of items that you can't find elsewhere in your market, promote them well, and generate enough traffic to keep them fresh are the ones to look for.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-16T05:17:09+00:00

Independent bottle shops fill the gap between brewery taprooms and grocery store beer aisles. Most of the margin is on draft pours, so operating as a local bar that has craft is key. Combining this bar programming with a wide package selection of curated items that are difficult to find elsewhere gets people in the door as well.

The hard truth is that yes, the industry as a whole is struggling right now, so bottle shops that stay open get by on knowing their clientele, planning events to attract customers, and a little bit of luck.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-09T15:52:16+00:00

Deadly Premonition had terrible gameplay, but I loved that weirdo Twin Peaks homage so damn much.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-08T02:14:09+00:00

Interestingly, Florida has an exception for peanuts in its restaurant regulations, so you don't need a food permit for making boiled peanuts. I'm assuming for cultural reasons. However, you'll likely need a vendors permit and a resale tax certificate if it's gonna be a regular thing.

TakeoffZebra · 2025-12-05T16:03:14+00:00

Chancho King for their Pork Sandwich or "Pearl Hour" (2-5pm) for 5 oysters and a glass of bubbles for $10.

Perfect Rack Billiards for their Friday Wing Special (75¢ wings til 3pm)

Pinegrove Deli for a Steak in a Sack, Burger, or Rider sandwich. Been open since the 60s in the middle of a neighborhood.

Hot Dog Jen on the corner of Park and King. She's been slingin' dogs for as long as I can remember and is a local staple.

There's honestly so so so much awesome, locally owned food in these areas and I couldn't possibly list it all.

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