Welcome in, beer lovers! This week, Greg returns from his Florida “vacation” with tales of heat-induced hallucinations, a surprise parking ticket sting operation, and chain restaurant dining nightmares. Meanwhile, Flex endures a major letdown from one of his most hyped beers, and Greg thankfully redeems the week with a dreamy Colorado hazy. We’re also diving into some ludicrous libation laws and a Florida-fueled Booze News lineup that includes public urination (of course), karaoke belts, and Hulk Hogan’s potential empire expansion. It’s sweaty, it’s silly, and it’s exactly the escape you need. Join the Republic!!

Beer Reviews

• Flex is drinking Voltron: Defender of the Universe Vol. 8 by 4 Hands Brewing x Three Sheeps Brewing — Anticipation turns into bitterness, and not the good kind.
• Greg is sipping Sunrise Dreams from Outer Range Brewing —  Nelson & Citra juice bomb; crushable citrus delight.

Flex kicks things off with high hopes and a glorious pour, only to be betrayed by the mighty Voltron. What starts as fresh pineapple nose bliss ends in disappointment and a borderline drain pour (but hey, at least the can art slaps). Greg takes us through his humid, sweat-soaked Florida trip, complete with passing-out grandparents, a "pay for your own" graduation lunch, and a surprise parking ticket at the hands of a lurking enforcer.

Despite the chain restaurant circuit and weather described as "living in a mouth," Greg finds a few worthy brewery stops in Tampa—finally landing a winner at Ology Brewing. He also somehow manages to survive a karaoke-belt-worthy bar owned by Hulk Hogan (yep, that’s real). Along the way, Flex and Greg uncover some very scientific coffee ratio grievances and debate the merits of chain dining while dehydrated.

Booze News

• Craft Beer Giants Keep Shrinking: 6 of the top 10 lose volume in 2024.
• Boston Beer’s Big Belly Flop: 320k barrels down, ouch.
• Hulk Hogan Wants to Buy Hooters… Turns out Pastamania wasn’t enough.
• Florida Man Bingo: Drunk driver hits pedestrian, urinates in cop car, and says racist stuff—all in one night

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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