Letter from the Editor: Unsteady Diet
Sharks, Doritos and other weighty issues.
As I write this column, it’s shaping up to be a rather eventful month. A 10-foot great white shark named George is stalking the Florida coast off the Everglades, Doritos is developing “lady-friendly” chips that don’t crunch, and I’m on my way to dropping 50 pounds.
Well, at least those first two statements are true. The third could be a candidate for “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” if it happens, but I am a third of the way to my goal. And what rotten timing. Alcohol is strictly forbidden on my diet and so I’ve had to edit this month’s Beer Guide without being able to quaff any of the creations from the dozens of local breweries and taprooms that Joseph Hayes covers. But those of you without beer guts (and heck, those with too) are going to love everything about this issue. Perhaps it will lead you to the Red Wedding coffee amber ale at Bear & Peacock, or the Green Tea IPA at Orange County Brewers. Or, ahem, the Tummy Kisses oatmeal raisin cookie blonde at Hourglass Brewing.
Joseph also gives his recommendations for Florida breweries further afield, interviews some of the top local beer makers, and looks at whether growing hops in Florida might be the next big thing. Meanwhile, Megan Stokes explores how some breweries came up with their names, the coolness of beer label artwork, and the growler-to-go option.
Mr. Hayes has been a busy man. In our Dine section, he also reviews the dazzling restaurants and bars at the Edison complex in Disney Springs. Of course, I had to read all about the Edison Burger and the “clothesline” bacon strips, as well as the fantastic casciata al forno, a baked pasta dish at Maria and Enzo’s. And then I had to select the photos of same dishes for publication (as I lunched on my salad, cooked beets, blueberries and pumpkin seeds).
Elsewhere in this issue, two of our writers take us on the road—Gary McKechnie for a getaway cruising along the Florida Panhandle’s coastal highways, and Extra Pulp columnist Laura Lee, who can’t wait to take a road adventure with her brood just like the ones she loved as a kid. And Cheri Henderson checks out the whole-body workout known as hot yoga, something I should consider to help melt the pounds away more quickly.
One thing’s for sure. If I’m successful, I’ll celebrate with a burger, some bacon and a couple of beers. And then have a new photo taken for this page. Maybe.
More beer here: To celebrate our local kingdom of brews, Orlando magazine is throwing a March issue launch party from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 15 at Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour & Brewery in Audubon Park. First 100 beers are on us! Watch our website and Facebook page for more details.
And finally, it’s time to cast your vote in our annual Best of Orlando poll. Vote for your favorite eateries, personalities, shops, consumer services and much more by clicking here. Deadline to vote is May 1.
BARRY GLENN
barry.glenn@orlandomagazine.com
