Tony Adams, Palm Ridge Reserve's Dick Waters, and Ron Raike
Lucas Widrick
Contributing Writer
Staff Page
Though there are many final decisions yet to make and its future home is not ready to move into, the buzz continued to build tonight as the forces behind the soon-to-open Shipyard Brew Pub and Big Wheel Provisions marketplace met future patrons at the Audubon Park Community Market. I spoke with Chef Tony Adams and Brewer Ron Raike over handfuls of Big Wheel’s Smoked Paprika and Parmesan Popcorn and samples of Shipyard Brewing’s Old Thumper (ESB), Export Ale (American Blonde Ale), and Wheat Ale, and asked them about the vision for the new project.
As I’d hoped, the food will inspire the beer and the beer will in turn inspire the food. And as I’d expected, Shipyard beers will have a permanent place on the tap list and on a beer engine. But Ron and Tony let me in on a some of what they are thinking, including my favorite part -- the remainder of the draft and engine lineup will be filled with one-of-a-kind beers brewed by Ron on a 28 gallon brewing system.
Chef Tony Adams working the growing crowd.
Those hand crafted beers will be influenced by (among other things) the season, Ron’s whim, and Tony’s creations and pantry ingredients. Ron will call on his vast beer knowledge and brewing experience along with some of his local friends in the craft beer and spirits industry to continuously create unique brews for the Winter Park location at 200 W. Fairbanks Ave.
We should all be looking forward to hearing more about the venture as the late October opening approaches. Stay tuned!