Brews from Down Under
Bay 13 Brewery Opens on Alhambra
From the people who brought you Threefold Café and Someone’s Son, Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen is an Australian-style brewpub that opened last month on Alhambra Plaza. Owner and Aussie Nick Sharp named his latest gastronomical venture after a section of the Melbourne Cricket Ground infamous for its rowdy spectators. They offer beers brewed in-house, an extensive Australian wine list and three different menus: Lunch, dinner and all-day. “You can come here and spend $20 and have a couple beers. You can come here and spend $2,000 on wine,” said Sharp during Bay 13’s grand opening weekend.
On the east end of Alhambra, directly across the street from the Hyatt Regency, the brewery has both indoor and outdoor seating – and an indoor and outdoor bar. The interior is spacious with the massive steel brewing vats on display. The exterior is inviting, with tables and cushioned chairs on artificial grass or under umbrellas on the patio.
I don’t know what I like better about Bay 13: The craft beers or their names. The Old Man is a very flavorful brew. A Belgian-style wheat ale, it has a “fluffy” mouthfeel. My personal favorite is the Woop Woop. Partially because of its name – how could you not love it? – and partially because of its earthy and herbal notes from Australian hops. Hailing from Arkansas, Greg Berbusse is the head brewer.
Unlike the casual pub food served at most breweries, Bay 13’s menu is elevated. It ranges from a zesty watercress salad with soft boiled egg, to fresh scallops served with corn sauce and radish, to strip loin steak that comes with a killer potato puree and a savory brown ale espresso sauce. Hats off to Head Chef Bjorn De La Cruz.
Sharp emphasizes Australian hospitality at Bay 13. Whether you’re a day laborer or an investment banker, “It’s going to be welcoming, it’s going to be fresh, it’s going to be something different in South Florida,” he says.