Ah, a vacation to South Florida! Nothing could be better during the winter season, a time when most of the people across the United States are forced into hibernation, longing for a return to fair temperatures and safe, ice- free roads. Here at Great Beer Now, we jetted off to the Sunshine State for a reprieve from the cooler January temperatures and liked what we found. Not only was the weather warm, but great beer was just around the corner. And at the top of my list of places to visit was none other than Funky Buddha Brewery, a craft brewer in Oakland Park, Florida, just minutes south of Pompano Beach.
Getting Funky
Funky Buddha Brewery has been around since 2007 and even though the brewery is more than 1,000 miles from Great Beer Now’s home base, we were still fully aware of the brewery and what it offered- a true testament to Funky Buddha’s beer, not to mention its marketing efforts. The brewery, with its commanding presence and bright red lettering on its signage, is difficult to miss. I was already impressed before I walked in and something told me that the outside appearance was only a warm up for the greatness behind the main entrance.
Walking through the front door, my intuition proved correct. Funky Buddha Brewery has a large interior and I love the ample seating- it’s large enough to accommodate even large groups with room to spare. The bar is large, too, with several bartenders ready to serve beer and talk about beer. One of the many things I liked about my visit is that the bartenders not only knew how to serve beer, they also possessed a good deal of knowledge about craft beer, how it is made, how styles differ, etc. Whoever is in charge of training is obviously doing something right. And the beer, well, it was quite impressive also. I started with a sample of Funky Buddha seasonal/specialty beer before moving on to the regular rotation. There wasn’t a bad beer in the bunch and I appreciated Funky Buddha’s penchant for creativity and artisanship. Beers like Pina Colada Wheat, Tripel Lindy, and Vanilla Op Porter were definite palate- pleasers and the regular beers such as Fuhgeddaboudit and Hop Gun IPA were perfect for soul- searching and reflection.
Games, Anyone?
Great beer alone is reason to visit Funky Buddha Brewery, but there is more to this brewery than just beer. Walk through to the back and you will find another section, complete with bocce ball, corn hole, jenga, and foosball. A large television keeps guests entertained while they wait their turn and the actual brewery is on full display, making for the perfect photo- op. And don’t worry about walking back to the main room for another beer- the attentive wait staff has you covered.
Buddha Wisdom Awaits
With its large size, games, and laid- back atmosphere, Funky Buddha Brewery is a great craft brewing operation with enough to keep everyone happy. The Tap Room is open seven days per week from noon to midnight and children are welcome to join in the (non- alcoholic) fun. You can even bring your dog along provided that you confine it to the outdoor seating areas and food trucks are often found just outside the main entrance, ready to serve.
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Such wise words from the Buddha himself and anyone who truly loves themselves and respects themselves enough to drink the best deserves to visit Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, Florida. It’s a highly enjoyable place and one that we at Great Beer Now plan to visit again the next time warmer temperatures call.
Leave a Reply