For Great Brews Head Due South

Due South Brewing Company is located in Boynton Beach in Southeast Florida housed in a 15,000 square foot warehouse space. The brewery was founded by homebrewers Mike and Jodi Halker in May 2012. Mike is the president and head brewer, while Jodi is the vice president of the company.

Due South won the award for Best Large Brewery in Florida 2014 at the annual Best Florida Beer Competition. The Mariana Trench Imperial Stout, Category 5 IPA, and Asylum Harbor Red Ale all won gold medals, the Cafe Ole Espresso Porter won silver, and the Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Pico Duarte won bronze.

There are two tasting areas at the brewery – an indoor, air conditioned spot and a bar in the brewing area. We chose to sit in the brewing area with a perfect view of the 15 barrel brewing system. The beers on tap included…

• Florida Blonde – 4.2% ABV refreshing blonde ale for the hot Florida weather.
• Session Pale Ale – 4.8% ABV ale brewed with American and English malts and American hops.
• Honey Vanilla Wheat – 4.8% ABV golden wheat with honey sweetness fermented with vanilla.
• Caramel Cream Ale – 5.0% ABV ale with notes of caramel and vanilla.
• Summertime Craft Lager – 5.3% ABV easy drinking lager.
• Cafe Ole Espresso Porter – 5.7% ABV porter with espresso added in the brite tank.
• Midnight Marauder Black IPA – 6.0% ABV black IPA with grassy and citrus notes.
• Category 3 IPA – 6.1% ABV IPA brewed with a special blend of American hops.
• Asylum Harbor Red Ale – 6.6% ABV malt forward red ale with slight sweetness.
• Category 4 IPA – 7.7% ABV IPA brewed with Pacific Northwest hops.
• UXO American Strong Ale – 8.1% ABV strong ale with loads of earthy hop flavor.
• Category 5 IPA – 8.5% ABV powerful IPA designed for the hophead.
• Mexican Standoff – 8.5% ABV brew with cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, and chili peppers.
• Olympus Mons Imperial Red Ale – 9.2% ABV full bodied red ale – their 200th batch of beer.

I enjoyed a flight, which included 4 samples for $6. I really enjoyed the Cafe Ole Espresso Porterand the Mexican Standoff. All of the beers are also available in 12 ounce or 16 ounce pours. Wine, sodas, and snacks are also available at the bar.

Beer can be purchased to go in 1 gallon growlers or 32 ounce cans called crowlers. The 32 ounce can is $4 empty with most beer fills coming in at $7. The gallon jug is $10 empty with fills at about $23. Category 3 IPA and Category 5 IPA were also available to go in six-packs.

Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 PM Tuesday through Friday during which all Due South beers are $1 off. Every Tuesday is Ladies’ Day where all pints ordered and consumed by women are only $3.

Tours are offered at the brewery on Saturdays and Sundays. Free tours are at 1 and 3 PM with no reservation required, and a VIP tour is at 2 PM. This tour is $10 a person and is limited to 12 people, so reservations are suggested. The VIP tour includes samples, a Q & A session, and a pint glass to keep.

Food trucks are at the brewery every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Due South also encourages patrons to bring take out or order delivery to the brewery.

The food truck that night, Lucille’s On Wheels, offered grub including Andouille Sausage, BBQ Pork Quesadillas, Chicken Philly Cheese Steak, and BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich. Wing options included Buffalo Parmesan Garlic and Crab (meaning tossed with Old Bay Seasoning). There were also Bacon Cheese Fries and Disco Fries (covered with gravy and cheese).

Due South beers are also available in more than 150 bars and restaurants from Orlando to Key West, but I would recommend stopping by the brewery and enjoying a fresh pint right where it was brewed. And why not play a game of Cornhole or Giant Jenga, cheer on the local sports team, or enjoy some local food truck eats. You won’t regret it!

Boynton Beach, brewery, Due South Brewing Company, Florida, South Florida