Heads up, Miami beer scene: Stone Brewing Company co-founder and brewer Greg Koch will be at LoKal Burgers and Beer in Coconut Grove on November 17. He will tap the special release keg of "Enjoy By 12/12/13" IPA.
Koch will make his appearance at 7:30 p.m. and will sign autographs and answer questions for about an hour and a half.
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Based in Escondido, California, Greg Koch and Steve Wagner founded Stone Brewing in 1996 and subsequently helped put San Diego on the craft beer map. Stone is rated as a "world class brewery" by RateBeer and BeerAdvocate.
It's the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States and 17th largest overall based on sales volume, according to the Brewer's Association. It is also the largest brewery in Southern California, with a yearly production capacity of 500,000 barrels.
See also: Five Amazing Craft Beers from San Diego, a Microbrew Mecca
Koch and Wagner have earned celebrity status for their devilishly hoppy, high-alcohol beers, like Arrogant Bastard Ale and Stone Ruination IPA. Koch is also an outspoken advocate for the craft brewing industry.
He also has an affinity for Miami. He gave a shout-out to J. Brewing Company for their sours and now he's popping up at the LoKal, which is known for their grand selection of local craft beers, rare bottle releases, and gourmet burgers.
See also: J. Wakefield Brewing Company to Open in Wynwood
"Greg made the call naming Miami as the event city," says Bethany Bryant, Stone's Florida regional brewery representative. "From there, we searched for a potential venue. LoKal was presented as an option, and it seemed to be a great fit because of similar philosophies in regard to quality ingredients, green initiatives, and sustainability. Kindred spirit-type thing."
Check out the Facebook event LoKal made for the event. Any rumors of Koch being at the Treasure Coast Beer Festival next week are false. But you can definitely grab a beer, or two, with him at LoKal on the 17th.
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