Idyll Hounds

September 14, 2023

Idyll Hounds announces Houndfest9 to benefit Westonwood Ranch

Sept. 14, 2023
Special to 30A Food & Wine

SANTA ROSA BEACH – Idyll Hounds Brewing Company’s signature event, Houndfest9 presented by Rosemary Beach Realty & Cottage Rental Company, will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30, with proceeds benefiting Westonwood Ranch.

To kick off the event weekend, IHBC has added a new VIP dining experience, presented by The Henry Haus, in partnership with Idyll Hound Proper, on Friday, September 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. VIP guests will partake in an elegant dinner under the stars on the lawn at 30Avenue. Attendees will be delighted with live music and have the exclusive opportunity to mix and mingle with the brew masters who will be featured during the main event. The five-course meal will feature local cuisine and custom beer pairings based upon the essence and flavors of each dish. There are a limited number of tickets available for $115 per seat. Those planning to attend both the Friday-night dinner and the main event on Saturday are encouraged to purchase “The Hound Pass” for $215 which includes exclusive VIP access and perks. All ticket information is available here.

Houndfest9 “We wanted to create a unique experience for our guests to meet with these beer experts one-on-one,” said Idyll Hounds owner and brewer, Frasier Hansen. “Each has a story to tell, and this is the perfect setting.”

On Saturday, Sept. 30, guests are invited to the brewery, located at 845 Serenoa Rd., for the main event from noon to 5 p.m. featuring craft brews poured by an array of regional and local breweries, including Alga Brewing Company, Emerald Republic, Grayton Beer Company, Odd Pelican Brewing Company, and Tampa Bay Brewing.

Idyll Hounds will be debuting new, packaged beer releases during the event along with various options on draft, including several specialty barrel-aged beers as well as brand-new stouts, sours, and hard seltzers. They will also be serving one-off specialty releases of some of their flagship beers, including Divide and Conchr, Boosh, Man O Wit, and more. Both VIP and general admission ticket holders will have full access to all breweries and enjoy unlimited samples of the various beers being poured throughout the afternoon.

There will be a plethora of food options for purchase by 3 Sons Barbecue, Aja 30A, and Idyll Hound Proper along with non-alcoholic beverages available from Amavida Coffee, Noli South Kombucha, and water provided by ADT Solar.

Guests will enjoy live music by Dirty Bird and the Flu followed by main act, The Zydeco Gents. There will also be a photobooth courtesy of Driftwood Wine & Spirits, and various shopping opportunities from local vendors. Those interested will have the opportunity to participate in a steinholding competition, sponsored by Action Audio Visual, where competitors hold a full one-liter beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm parallel to the ground as long as they can.

General admission tickets are available for $60 in advance and $75 at the door and include a commemorative bag courtesy of Visit South Walton, koozies courtesy of Buddy’s Seafood, a t-shirt, sticker, and glass to sample unlimited beers throughout the event. Guests can elevate their experience with a VIP ticket for $119, which includes all the same perks as general admission plus early entry at 11 a.m. to enjoy an extra hour of the festival, a reserved area provided by Emerald Coast Magazine with complimentary food by Idyll Hound Proper, and a limited-release bottle of craft beer to take home. There will also be designated driver tickets available for $30 for those not drinking during the event.

Proceeds from the annual event will benefit Westonwood Ranch, a Walton County non-profit offering a unique learning curriculum to improve skills of young adults with developmental differences.

June 7, 2023

Inaugural 30A Foam Fest raises $5K for Food for Thought

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June 1, 2023
Special to 30A Food & Wine

INLET BEACH – The inaugural 30A Foam Fest, presented by Idyll Hound Proper and 30Avenue, raised $5,000 for Food for Thought Outreach.

The festival made its debut at 30Avenue May 13 and welcomed over 500 guests to the shopping center for an afternoon filled with craft beer, live music, local food, shopping, activities and much more. Nineteen breweries from across the southeast lined the streets of 30Avenue including Abita Brewing Company, Alga Beer Co., Beach Camp Brewing Company, Cigar City Brewing, Destin Brewery, Emerald Republic Brewing Company, Goat Island Brewing, Good People Brewing Company, Grayton Beer Company, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, Lawless Coast Brewing, Odd Pelican Brewing Company, Parish Brewing Company, Perfect Plain Brewing Company, Sip Sandestin, Southern Fields Brewing Company, Sweetwater Brewing Company, TrimTab Brewing Company, and Urban South Brewery, presented by Hop Sponsor, Step One Automotive Group.

amici 30A Italian Kitchen and amigos 30A Mexican Kitchen shared bites with ticketholders

“Our inaugural Foam Fest was a huge success thanks to our vendors, sponsors, musical guests, and our gracious hosts at 30Avenue,” said Lance Stokes of Idyll Hound Proper. “We look forward to expanding the festival next year with more breweries, activities, and music while also continuing to support Food for Thought and all the good work they do in the community.”

Upon entering the official Vacayzen welcome lounge, each guest received a gift bag from 30Avenue that included a commemorative t-shirt sponsored by Gulf Goldring, and a custom mini beer mug courtesy of 30A Luxury Vacations to sample all the brews. House of Bounce and Epic Photo Co. were in attendance to capture memories with a 360° photo booth, sponsored by The Pointe, and an interactive photo booth, sponsored by Driftwood Wine and Spirits. There was also a booth for guests to get permanent jewelry to commemorate the event with Link + Lou of 30A.

Boukou Groove kicked off the event on the main stage, sponsored by Coastline Custom Builders, before the popular New Orleans-based band, Flow Tribe, headlined the festival. Throughout the afternoon, guests enjoyed gourmet food from various 30Avenue merchants including amici 30A Italian Kitchen, amigos 30A Mexican Kitchen, Goatfeathers, and Idyll Hound Proper, along with bites from Dog Man Du and Southern Charm Coffee. Those in attendance were also able to sample the brand-new Gulf Water Prosecco, which was launched earlier this year.

Stein contest — The Steinholding competition asked participants to hold a full one-liter beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm parallel to the ground.

Before the event ended, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company hosted a Steinholding competition for guests to participate in. Steinholding is a traditional Bavarian contest in which competitors hold a full one-liter beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm parallel to the ground. Out of 25 participants, Connor Martin of Santa Rosa Beach was the grand prize winner of over $400 gift cards from 30Avenue along with a gift bag and merchandise from Visit South Walton.

Through ticket sales, sponsorship, and donations, the inaugural 30A Foam Fest raised $5,000 for Food for Thought Outreach, a local 501(c)3 organization that works to bridge the meal gap in the lives of food insecure children in Walton and Okaloosa counties.

“We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of 30A Foam Fest,” said Tiffanie Nelson, founder of Food for Thought Outreach. “Funds from this event will support our summer services that run for eight weeks, in five locations, across Walton and Okaloosa counties. As a locally based nonprofit, events such as this bring great awareness and support of our work serving food insecure children. We are looking forward to another great event in 2024!”

The second annual 30A Foam Fest will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 30Avenue. Follow 30A Foam Fest on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on more details coming soon.

February 8, 2023

Back Beach Barbecue, Idyll Hounds plan beer dinner benefitting NICU

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Special to 30A Food & Wine
Feb. 8, 2023

PANAMA CITY BEACH – Back Beach Barbecue and Idyll Hounds Brewing Company will host an intimate beer dinner Thursday, March 2, at Back Beach Barbecue in support of HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Beer dinner

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the restaurant will be closed for the private dinner experience featuring a five-course meal prepared by Back Beach Barbecue Pitmaster Shane Kirkland. Each course will be accompanied by a specially selected beer by local brewery, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company. Kirkland Shane has created a menu featuring various specialty meats and seafood including oysters, duck breast, shrimp, and elk. The meal concludes with a smoke-infused dessert to round out the evening.

Proceeds raised will benefit Panama City’s HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital’s NICU, a cause with close personal ties to the chef. Last year, Kirkland and his wife, Heather, who is also an employee at Back Beach Barbecue, welcomed twin boys, Ezra and Isaiah. They were born premature and had to stay in the NICU due to struggles of eating on their own, bilirubin levels, and caloric intake.

“The only thing that made this horrible situation the best possible was the staff at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital NICU,” said Shane. “They loved us, and our babies, as if they were their own.”

After three weeks, their boys were finally discharged and the family left feeling eternally grateful for the care they received from HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital.

“We’ve been home for about nine months now, and we are forever friends with the staff members, and still make regular visits to see our NICU family who treated, loved, and genuinely cared for our Ezra and Isaiah.”

Proceeds raised from the dinner will go toward the purchase of clothing, supplies, and a specialized camera system in the NICU that will allow families to check in and observe their premature infant at any time. Tickets for the dinner are on sale for $100 and can be purchased by calling the restaurant at 850-249-0822.

October 3, 2022

Back Beach Barbecue, Idyll Hounds hosting beer dinner for Houndfest

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Oct. 3, 2022
Special to 30A Food & Wine

SANTA ROSA BEACH – Back Beach Barbecue and Idyll Hounds Brewing Company will host a Beer Dinner Friday, Oct. 7, featuring a collaboration of craft brews and various barbecue options, to kick off the brewing company’s 8th annual Houndfest celebration. Menu

Beginning at 5 p.m., guests are invited to the brewery, located at 845 Serenoa Road, for a cocktail hour with light appetizers before sitting down to enjoy a four-course meal prepared by Back Beach Barbecue Pitmaster Shane Kirkland. Each curated dish will be accompanied by a specially selected beer by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, including a sneak preview of exclusive Houndfest brews. Pitmaster Shane has created a menu featuring various specialty meats and seafood including Bulgogi pork, snapper ceviche, and beer braised oxtail. Guests will also have their choice of a homemade decadent dessert to round out the evening.

This will be the first dinner the brewery has ever hosted. It was created not only to kick off Idyll Hounds annual anniversary celebration, Houndfest, but offer guests a more intimate setting to learn more about the beers and experience them in a unique dining setting.

Tickets are on sale for $100 and can be purchased online at https://idyllhoundsevents.ticketleap.com/houndfest-beer-dinner/.

June 16, 2022

Cheers to beach beers! Taking a look at local breweries

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Grayton Beer • Idyll Hounds • 3rd Planet • Salty Oak • Odd Pelican

By Michelle Farnham
June 16, 2022

EMERALD COAST – When it comes to local exports here on the gulf, fresh seafood might be the first thing you think of, but a growing number of brewers are looking to make a mark in the craft beer industry, too. Take a look at this roundup of five Florida Panhandle companies that have joined the brewski game. Most products are available commercially, at select bars and restaurants, or you can head to the tap room, pull up a chair, and if you’re lucky, talk with the master brewers themselves.

Grayton Beer Company

Always a hometown favorite, Grayton Beer Company is perhaps best known for its 30A lineup: the Beach Blonde Ale in the bright yellow can; the 30A IPA, which comes in at an ABV of 4.5% and an IBU of 70; or the 30A Rosé Gose, with its bright berry notes and salty/tart foundation. Don’t sleep on the 1890 Founder’s Ale, a rich, malty amber ale with a lively pine finish; the Staff Pale Ale, featuring a nose of lemon and orange; or the Fish Whistle IPA, a combination of floral, herbal and spicy flavors.

The Taproom – which is both kid- and pet-friendly – is open Saturdays, and housed inside the 30,000-square-foot production facility.

Grayton Beer Company is located at 217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach. Contact: 850-231-4786, www.graytonbeer.com

Idyll Hounds Brewing Company

The folks at Idyll Hounds like a good pale ale – try the Divide and Conch’r (8% ABV), the Palapa Pale Ale, or the Boosh (a New England-style IPA). The Ghost Crab Pilsna is an easy-drinking Bohemian-style pilsner made with Saaz hops, while the Rosemary Saison Ale is a French farmhouse-style saison with soft spiciness and rosemary notes. For those who like a jolt of java, the Joe is porter-brewed with vanilla and coffee, packs a heftier ABV of 7.5%.

Most of those commercially available brews are also among the 22 beers on tap at the Taproom, open daily. There you might enjoy such fun finds at the Mustachio Sour, the Banana Chocolate Mousse Stout – which packs an impressive 9% ABV– or the Grapeful Opossum IPA

Idyll Hounds Brewing Company is at 845 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach. Contact: 850-231-1138, www.idyllhoundsbrewingcompany.com

3rd Planet Brewing Co.

Venture across the Choctawhatchee Bay to Niceville to find 3rd Planet Brewing Co. The taproom, affectionately known as The Mothership, is open daily. There you’ll find a wall full of beer options, visiting food trucks, and an outdoor area complete with live music stage and green space. On tap, sample the likes of their Dank Side of the Moon, a New England-style IPA; the Bear Creek Bramber with its nutty, toffee notes; or the Luminous Cloud, a hazy pale ale with a citrusy hop profile. For something completely different, look to the constantly evolving sequence of Fruited Sours, with new flavors available seasonally.

Find 3rd Planet Brewing Co. at 1400 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Contact: 850-424-4257, www.3rdplanetbrewing.com

Salty Oak Brewing Co.

With a brewery and tasting room in Panama City, Salty Oak Brewing Co. pours the likes of Island Time Blonde Ale, an easy-drinker at 36 IBU. Buckle up for their Bourbon Country Brand Stout, an imperial with an ABV of 15.2%; or keep things fruity with the Wanna Peach of Cobbler? fruited sour.

The Salty Oak tasting room is known for its daily specials like flight nights, discounts for military and first-responders, and food trucks and live music. The tap list evolves throughout the year, as does the bottle and can selection.

Visit Salty Oak Brewing Co. at 2337C St. Andrew’s Blvd., Panama City. Contact: 850-276-0706, www.saltyoakbrewing.com

Odd Pelican Beer Co.

The new game in town, The Odd Pelican Beer Co. tapped its first keg in 2021. Like many of their counterparts, the Pelican crew finds inspiration locally with their Seaside Suds collection, including Bud’s Brew, a golden ale, and the OBE IPA. The Freeporter Vanilla Porter is sure to be a local favorite, or try the Tucker Town Brown.

At the onsite taproom, which opened in October, enjoy live music guests, trivia nights, visiting food trucks and the occasional holiday celebration.

Find Odd Pelican at 355 Bulldog Road, Freeport. Contact: www.oddpelicanbeer.com

March 1, 2022

B3: Neat or on the rocks?

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Bourbon Beer & Butts keeps Alys Beach fed, watered and happy

By Michelle Farnham
March, 1, 2022

ALYS BEACH – One of the premier events of the 30A Wine Festival, Friday night’s Bourbon Beer & Butts smoked up the coast Feb. 25!

The crowd came together for a good cause, as proceeds benefit the Children’s Volunteer Health Network, providing health services to over 1,000 underinsured children annually in Walton and Okaloosa counties. Kelley Mossburg, executive director of the charity, welcomed the crowd and offered his thanks.

“Many of the children we see each year – between kindergarten and fifth grade – have never seen the inside of a dentist’s office,” Mossburg explained. “We’re able to provide that care free of cost through your generosity and the generosity of The Alys Foundation and many other supporters. Thank you for being here tonight, and I don’t have to tell you to have a good time!”

The Pork Carnitas from Springhouse in Alexander City, Ala., were served with jicama and carrot slaw.

Eats came from near – Caliza Restaurant, Back Beach Barbecue, 98 Bar-B-Que, Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar – and far, like Treaty Oak of Dripping Springs, Texas; Swig & Swine of Charleston, S.C., and Central BBQ of Memphis.

Auburn’s Bow & Arrow was back for its sixth year, with Chef David Bancroft serving his TV-worthy ribs.

“This is a dish I did on Iron Chef America: Battle Ribs,” Bancroft said as he sprinkled the dish with pecans. “It has honey hot sauce and fried chicken skin streusel.”

Saw’s BBQ of Birmingham was on hand, not only dishing up Pork ‘n’ Greens (pulled smoked pork, cheese grits, turnip greens and fried onions) but handing out complimentary bottles of their sauce.

To wash down all that amazing BBQ, guests had their choice of bourbon or beer – or both – with everything from local favorites Idyll Hounds and Grayton Beer Co., to Wilderness Trail Distillery of Danville, Ky.

The team from Treaty Oak Distilling drove in all the way from the Austin, Texas, area to pour several options.

“We have our Treaty Oak Day Drinker Texas Bourbon, which is a little lower on the ABV side, it’s a little more for easy sipping and cocktails,” said rep Lee Fenner, while also pointing out their very popular Hill Country Dreaming cocktail, combining the Day Drinker with black tea, lemon, and mint simple syrup.

“We’ve been here every year, and this is probably the best event; we look forward to it every year,” Fenner added.

To entertain the crowd, The Cleverlys took the stage with a promise of twangy, old-timey music, but threw a curve ball when they cranked out more mainstream tunes such as Blackstreet’s “I Like the Way You Work It,” 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” and “Gangnam Style” between deadpan quips and hilariously misleading anecdotes.

Photos by Michelle Farnham