Tap Handle #414: Miami Brewing (Schnebly Winery and Brewery)

July 20, 2014

Tap Handle #414: Miami Brewing (Schnebly Winery and Brewery) - Shark Bait

Tap size: 10.75"
Rarity: Rare
Mounting: internal 3/8" nut

Miami Brewing went all in, gambling that creating 4 beautiful and detailed taps would catch the eye of customers in bars and pubs in the Miami area. I think they made a smart decision. The first of their taps I'm profiling is Shark Bait. It features a shark gingerly holding a bikini-clad girl in its mouth. In many ways it bears a lot of similarity to the Dogfish Head Uber Shark tap. In my opinion this is the best of the Miami Brewing taps, and it's also the hardest to get, making the price very high - if you can find one.

Click through to read more about Miami Brewing and the Schnebly Winery, their Shark Bait wheat beer, and to see more photos of this great tap...

Miami Brewing was founded in 2012 in Homestead, Florida by Peter and Denisse Schnebly. The Schneblys had owned a farm and produce company in Homestead for over two decades and wanted to get into agro-tourism. In 2003 the couple invited a friend who owned a windery for a visit, during which he inspired the Schneblys to start a winery with wine made from exotic fruit. In 2007 they started thing about brewing exotic fruit beers, but county law prohibited facilities from brewing significant amounts of beer in farming areas. Peter lobbied the county commissioners to change the code. At first, the Redland Citizens Association opposed the idea, but eventually commissioners decided to allow breweries to produce up to 250,000 gallons of malted beverage/beer per year.

When the Schneblys began drawing up plans to acquire equipment, they found it would take more than eight months to build and deliver. Instead, a maintenance team that also does all the farming was tasked to make a 460-gallon mash tun. To complete the system, they purchased seven bright tanks. They also bought four 30-barrel fermenters that could hold a total of 3,720 gallons. Finally they worked on a drainage system. Once the ordinances were passed, it took two years to finish the work, assemble a marketing team, and deal with the legalities. Miami Brewing delivered its first shipment to Gold Coast Distribution in 2012. They began by producing four beers, which originally had been contract brewed. The beers are all infused with tropical flavors such as coconut, passionfruit, mango; and guava.

Shark Bait is a deep gold, cyrstal clear wheat beer. It has a light grain and lemon citrus aroma, and a taste of light maltiness with smooth mango finish. It is a great all around session beer, perfect for the beach.