Politics
Cheers! A Tampa brewery and Aquatica Orlando partner to make something special
Hidden Springs Ale Works is known for making sours and stouts at its brewery in Tampa. But these days, the business is selling its beers somewhere unexpected: at Orlando theme parks.
Hidden Springs has partnered with Aquatica Orlando, SeaWorld’s water park, to sell a commemorative release for the park’s AquaGlow special ticketed nighttime event this Summer.
The AquaGlow beer — which comes in a decorated can labeled in neon colors and images of sea life to promote the event — is a wheat beer with hints of marshmallow, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry.
“It’s one of those things that it sounds ridiculous to put marshmallows into beer until you have it, and then you’re like, ‘OK, well, that really works,” said Josh Garman, Hidden Springs’ brew master and co-founder. “We kind of wanted to come up with something that was approachable for the average consumer but also interesting enough to be a little bit extra.”
The marshmallow adds a fuller body, bringing out hints of vanilla, Garman said.
Garman is “kind of like the Willy Wonka that brings it all to life,” said Blake Levison, a brand strategist for Hidden Springs, which brewed about 4,000 cans for the water park’s after-hours event.
Hidden Springs’ exclusive pour is the latest — and probably not the last — of Florida breweries’ synergy with Orlando’s theme parks. Forget the White Claw or the Bud Light. You can buy good craft beer at the parks and, in some cases, find something extra unique.
Hidden Springs is working with Disney World to make a special beer for Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts next year.
And a SeaWorld company spokesman said the reception has been strong for the AquaGlow beverage, so the company is considering more commemorative beers in the future.
It’s not the first time Hidden Springs has partnered with United Parks and Resorts, the Orlando-based company that owns SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando.
Last year, Hidden Springs made an exclusive hazy IPA to celebrate SeaWorld’s 60th anniversary.
This year, the two companies started working together again to develop the AquaGlow beer.
“A custom beer felt like a natural fit. Something exclusive, fun, and local,” said SeaWorld spokesman Thais Ordine.
“Once the concept was in place, we worked closely with the Hidden Springs team to bring it to life. They were fantastic creative partners, bringing both brewing expertise and a strong sense of brand identity to the table. We had discussions around the flavor profile we were aiming for — something refreshing and approachable for summer nights in the park, and they took that feedback and ran with it. We were also involved in the creative direction of the can design, making sure it aligned with the AquaGlow branding and overall park aesthetic. It was important to us that the beer felt like part of the event story, not just an add-on.”
AquaGlow runs on select nights through Sept. 27 at Aquatica. Tickets start out at $49.99.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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