Once properly in Miami-Dade County, the local’s brewpub is Titanic Brewing Co. (titanicbrewery.com; 5813 Ponce De Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables) directly adjacent to the University of Miami baseball field making it popular among the college crowd. “Steve Copeland is the brewmaster and serves up quite a few tasty house beers including the White Star IPA,” says Montelius, “and award-winning Captain Smith’’s Rye Ale— the addition of malted rye to this generally crisp and clean amber ale adds a slightly spicy finish that goes perfectly with the fried blue crab meat and Creole mustard.” Patrons rave about the Southern fare loaded with crawfish and jumbo shrimp, the latter of which benefits from an IPA batter! “With all of Miami’s excellent restaurants I find myself there more for happy hour than dinner,” concludes Montelius.
Zeke's Roadhouse on Lincoln Road is an oasis in the desert.
Among Miami’s bastion of beer bars his first suggestion is South Beach’s “amazing little anti-South Beach lounge,” Abraxas Lounge (407 Meridian Ave.) situated on Miami Beach’s barrier island across the Biscayne Bay. “Chances are, if you’re trying to find me, this is probably a pretty good starting point. They’ve got 10 rotating taps of excellent craft beers and one of the best specialty beer lists anywhere in Florida.” Just a mile or so away on Lincoln Road, the promenade that all visitors find themselves on, is Zeke’s Roadhouse (625 Lincoln Road). While people-watching at Zeke’s, help yourself to any of the hundreds of bottles in their walk-up chillers for only $4. Conveniently located four blocks from the beach, you can take plastic cups to go.
