Brewing Master

Question:

Kelly’s Carribean Bar & Grill has a small microbrewery. They’ve just changed brewmasters recently, but I haven’t been able to get down to try it out.

I’d ask for a taste before I purchased a pint of anything they make.  I hope their new brewmaster is better than the last, and I hope the last takes a course in sanitation… Cheers, Mike

Response:

I’d ask for a taste before I purchased a pint of anything they make.  I hope their new brewmaster is better than the last, and I hope the last takes a course in sanitation… Cheers, Mike

Agreed. Actually, I was told one of the reasons he quit was because they wouldn’t ALLOW hom to throw out beer gone bad. The owners know NOTHING about brewing, and wouldn’t allow him to close down every once in a while to clean the lines. They also couldn’t understand why beer goes bad when they shut down the refrigeration to the fermentors for a couple weeks. Hopefully the new guy can talk them into putting forth a little extra effort. But aside from the obviously bad beer,(I tasted the vinegar one) I think I’d rather drink bland microbrew than suck down bland megabrew. If you do try it out, let me know how it is. I was planning a trip down after Fantasy Fest.

Response:

Ok, there are NO good beer spot in Key West.  The best you can do is a Hatuey draft or a Sunset Lager.  Kelly’s (brewpub)absolutely sucks…

When was the last time you were at Kelly’s? I’ll admit that my predecessor brewed some funky beers, and most of them had a sour finish that should only be found in lambics. Since taking over as brewmaster, however, I have changed almost everything in the brewery. I have a great golden ale on tap, and my Oktoberfest came out perfect. While things are not yet perfect at Kelly’s, I won’t rest until they are. Yours, Eric P. Larsen Brewmaster Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery Key West, Florida

Response:

Agreed. Actually, I was told one of the reasons he quit was because they wouldn’t ALLOW hom to throw out beer gone bad. The owners know NOTHING about brewing, and wouldn’t allow him to close down every once in a while to clean the lines. They also couldn’t understand why beer goes bad when they shut down the refrigeration to the fermentors for a couple weeks. Hopefully the new guy can talk them into putting forth a little extra effort.

I have to take exception to this. I rarely see Kelly, so I report to her husband, Fred Tilman. So far, in 2 months of massive changes (gas mixtures, complete recipe overhauls, yeast changes, new equipment), Fred has never told me "no." By changing yeasts, I had to stick Kelly’s with nearly $1000 of bulk yeast purchased by the former brewmaster. (Anyone want to buy a case of SafeAle?) The first thing I did when I took over was dump 300 gallons worth of vinegar. I threw out nearly 50 pounds of hops that weren’t up to scratch. I’ve also spent (quite literally) a month just cleaning things. That said, I have two months worth of cleaning yet to do. Four years of grime takes a while to remove. The beer is already far better than it has been in years. I won’t serve anything I wouldn’t drink. Executive summary: If you’re coming down to Key West, Kelly’s is worth revisiting. Eric P. Larsen Brewmaster Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery Key West, Florida

Response:

I enjoyed visiting Kelly’s brewpub yesterday. The Golden Ale is very fine. Eric also shared a glass of his wheat brew, which had an earthy note I didn’t care for…but the lines were to be cleaned soon so it could have just been beer toio long in the line (I visited before the place was open). Very compact brewery making 6.5 barrel brews. The Oktobersfest will be available soon, though it wasn’t ready yesterday. I had no appointment. Just parke dteh scooter outside the gates and went in. Eric stopped his work to ply me with samples and show me around. I’m sure he’d do the same for anyone! << When was the last time you were at Kelly’s? I’ll admit that my predecessor brewed some funky beers, and most of them had a sour finish that should only be found in lambics. Since taking over as brewmaster, however, I have changed almost everything in the brewery. I have a great golden ale on tap, and my Oktoberfest came out perfect. While things are not yet perfect at Kelly’s, I won’t rest until they are. Yours, Eric P. Larsen Brewmaster

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, there are NO good beer spot in Key West.  The best you can do is a Hatuey draft or a Sunset Lager.  Kelly’s (brewpub)absolutely sucks… When was the last time you were at Kelly’s? I’ll admit that my predecessor brewed some funky beers, and most of them had a sour finish that should only be found in lambics. Since taking over as brewmaster, however, I have changed almost everything in the brewery. I have a great golden ale on tap, and my Oktoberfest came out perfect. While things are not yet perfect at Kelly’s, I won’t rest until they are. Yours, Eric P. Larsen Brewmaster Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery Key West, Florida

Eric, It has not quite been 2 years.  I am glad someone else has taken the reins. The problems when I was there is the lines were not clean on any beer, and a couple were noticeable infected.  The food was ok.  I should have complained about the quality of the beer on my visit, but I doubt it would have changed anything. I’ll be sure when someone asks about KW again to mention that Kelly’s has a new brewmaster, and he cares about the beer… Cheers, Mike

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Agreed. Actually, I was told one of the reasons he quit was because they wouldn’t ALLOW hom to throw out beer gone bad. The owners know NOTHING about brewing, and wouldn’t allow him to close down every once in a while to clean the lines. They also couldn’t understand why beer goes bad when they shut down the refrigeration to the fermentors for a couple weeks. Hopefully the new guy can talk them into putting forth a little extra effort. I have to take exception to this. I rarely see Kelly, so I report to her husband, Fred Tilman. So far, in 2 months of massive changes (gas mixtures, complete recipe overhauls, yeast changes, new equipment), Fred has never told me "no." By changing yeasts, I had to stick Kelly’s with nearly $1000 of bulk yeast purchased by the former brewmaster. (Anyone want to buy a case of SafeAle?) The first thing I did when I took over was dump 300 gallons worth of vinegar. I threw out nearly 50 pounds of hops that weren’t up to scratch. I’ve also spent (quite literally) a month just cleaning things. That said, I have two months worth of cleaning yet to do. Four years of grime takes a while to remove.

It’s very good to see that they’re finally coming to their senses. Looks like they’re finally doing what it takes to help you make good beer! Good luck…

Response:

Thx for the comments. "Mark": <<haven’t been able to use "Key West" and "quiet night" in the same sentence yet. And Friday night? "Quiet" was meant only in the sense that I will be there solo, w/o wife and kids, and no planned Friday evening activities. <<Hopefully you already have reservations, For my hotel, yes. But not for any bars! <<Kelly’s Carribean Bar & Grill Thx for the tip…will check it out. "MDixon": <<Kelly’s (brewpub)absolutely sucks… Any port in a storm? <<El Meson de Pepe IIRC. Cuban would be nice, thanks.

Response:

In a couple of weeks I am headed to Key West and have a quiet Friday evening. Any suggestions  GoodBeer spots?

Hopefully you already have reservations, last 2 weeks of October can be quite crowded and noisy as they build up to Fantasy Fest. Kelly’s Carribean Bar & Grill has a small microbrewery. They’ve just changed brewmasters recently, but I haven’t been able to get down to try it out. They usually have 3-4 brews on tap in addition to the commercial stuff. It’s the next street past Duval, and tends to be a bit quieter.

Response:

My thoughts exactly. I’ve been there several times and haven’t been able to use "Key West" and "quiet night" in the same sentence yet. And Friday night? That’s the time to let it all hang out. Sloppy Joe’s, I wish I was going too.

Especially on Duvall (or is it Duvell) Street. —

Response:

My thoughts exactly. I’ve been there several times and haven’t been able to use "Key West" and "quiet night" in the same sentence yet. And Friday night? That’s the time to let it all hang out. Sloppy Joe’s, I wish I was going too. Mark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In a couple of weeks I am headed to Key West and have a quiet Friday evening. Any suggestions  GoodBeer spots? Quiet Friday night in Key West?  I was out there several winters ago, and we spent some time in Hog’s Breath Saloon, Sloppy Joe’s Bar and of course Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Cafe.  Whatever you do, do not miss the end of the day celebration at sun down on the west side of the island.  It is a tourist trap, but it was fun. —

Response:

In a couple of weeks I am headed to Key West and have a quiet Friday evening. Any suggestions  GoodBeer spots?

Ok, there are NO good beer spot in Key West.  The best you can do is a Hatuey draft or a Sunset Lager.  Kelly’s (brewpub)absolutely sucks… With that in mind, there is a great little cuban bar near Mallory’s Sq and with outside seating.  El Meson de Pepe IIRC.  Also, try and find Pepe’s but skip the conch sandwich.  There is no finer place to dine than Louie’s Backyard, and very few places more expensive.  Conch Republic has a few nice taps.  The food is very good at Pizza Joe’s, but go for lunch. All the beer on the Sunset Pier is way overpriced, and the service sucks and the gratuity is included…. I’d stick to the liquor or frozen drinks… Cheers, Mike

Response:

In a couple of weeks I am headed to Key West and have a quiet Friday evening. Any suggestions  GoodBeer spots?

Response:

In a couple of weeks I am headed to Key West and have a quiet Friday evening. Any suggestions  GoodBeer spots?

Quiet Friday night in Key West?  I was out there several winters ago, and we spent some time in Hog’s Breath Saloon, Sloppy Joe’s Bar and of course Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Cafe.  Whatever you do, do not miss the end of the day celebration at sun down on the west side of the island.  It is a tourist trap, but it was fun. —

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