Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Sarasota, FL.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Sarasota, FL, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Sarasota, FL, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
973-587-8638
While we're still in the thick of April and its lengthy lineup of area events, this week will be a little quieter than usual for concerts, likely thanks to the ...
While we're still in the thick of April and its lengthy lineup of area events, this week will be a little quieter than usual for concerts, likely thanks to the Easter holiday. Yet you'll still have plenty of options if you're looking to see live music locally.
Sarasota brewery and venue Big Top Brewing Company will host yet another concert by a rising country music star. You'll also find acclaimed blues acts including two musicians based here in Florida (who coincidentally play in a band together), as well as Americana, jazz and more. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
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Sarasota's Fogartyville will host two acclaimed blues-roots musicians in one show when it welcomes Roy Book Binder and Damon Fowler this week. Acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter Book Binder was friends with Dave Van Ronk and Rev. Gary Davis, and blends their respective folk and blues sounds into his music. Meanwhile, guitarist, singer-songwriter and former Anna Maria Island resident Damon Fowler is known for releases including 2021's "Alafia Moon," which topped Billboard's blues album chart and earned a Blues Rock Album Blues Music Award nomination last year. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Friday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $28, $25 members, $14 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Alt-Americana act Hymn for Her will return to one of their favorite local venues, Cafe in the Park in downtown Sarasota's Payne Park. Featuring husband and wife Wayne Waxing and Lucy Tight, the group performs locally, nationally and even internationally, including when they played England's massive music festival Glastonbury in 2017. Hymn for Her has also earned recognition from Rolling Stone, which named the track "Blue Balloons" from their 2018 album "Pop-n-Downers" one of the 10 best country and Americana songs of that week. 7 p.m. Friday; Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota; 941-361-3032; cafeinthepark.org
Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret concert series, held in Florida Studio Theatre's John C. Court Cabaret, continues with the Danny Sinoff Trio. Sinoff is a pianist and vocalist who takes inspiration from the music of the Great American Songbook, with Frank Sinatra a particular influence. He has ties to both Massachusetts and Florida, being born and attending Berklee College of Music in the former state, and being raised and currently based in the latter, including performing regularly at The London Club in Naples. 6:30 p.m. (doors, food/drinks), 7:30 p.m. (show) Monday; John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota; $34-$39; 941-260-9951; jazzclubsarasota.org
Sarasota's Big Top Brewing Company, which has become a popular venue for concerts by rising country music stars, hosts another such act when Ashley Cooke plays a headlining show on her way to perform at Fort Lauderdale Beach's Tortuga Music Festival. Hailing from Parkland, Cooke is best known for her song "Never Til Now" featuring country star Brett Young, who she's also recently been playing shows with. The song serves as the opening track to her debut album "Already Drank That Beer," released last year and also featuring the Jimmie Allen collaboration "Good Goodbye." Matt Roy and Cody Lohden will also perform. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; $15; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
Sarasota County restaurant and blues venue Englewoods on Dearborn's live music lineup this week will include South Florida guitarist and singer-songwriter J.P. Soars with his band the Red Hots. The group received four Blues Music Awards nominations last year including Band of the Year, B.B. King Entertainer and Instrumentalist — Guitar for Soars, and Instrumentalist — Drums for bandmate Chris Peet. Along with his solo career, Soars is a member of the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian Fowler. 6 p.m. Thursday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com
If you would like to be considered for this story, please email [email protected] with your event information at least 10 days before our Thursday publication date.
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SARASOTA — No longer are they the first-year owners of the Sarasota Open. Mixing the sports metaphor, as rookies in 2022, Remington Reynolds and Steve Gareleck were thrust into the middle of the batting order.They took on the Open, while working for the first time with the title sponsor of the event, Elizabeth Moore, in a new venue, the Payne Park Tennis Center, the...
SARASOTA — No longer are they the first-year owners of the Sarasota Open. Mixing the sports metaphor, as rookies in 2022, Remington Reynolds and Steve Gareleck were thrust into the middle of the batting order.
They took on the Open, while working for the first time with the title sponsor of the event, Elizabeth Moore, in a new venue, the Payne Park Tennis Center, the Open’s fifth home in its 15-year history.
Not all their swings were pretty. Each one didn’t produce contact. But Reynolds believes the two produced a lot more hits than outs.
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“Last year,” he said, “coming into a new venue, and it turned out to be great. "
The two, both collegiate tennis players, first met in college. In their 20s, Reynolds and Gareleck formed a telecommunications company. Later, they started the Necker Cup, an exhibition tennis tournament played annually on Necker Island, a 74-acre island located in the British Virgin Islands and owned by Sir Richard Branson.
In 2008, the duo bought the Racquet Club of the South, the largest tennis venue in Georgia, and from 2008-2012, Gareleck said, revenues doubled annually. When former Sarasota Open director Tony Driscoll was looking to sell, Reynolds and Gareleck, already investors in the Open, stepped forward.
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To secure the event, Payne Park had to better its lighting, and $500,000 in lighting improvements, Reynolds believes, contributed to Payne’s increased membership. “The members have to love us,” he said.
While Reynolds said he was happy with ticket sales last year, the ticketing operation and platform were lacking. “We weren’t really that optimized,” he said. This year’s event will have a VIP will-call area, a ticket scanner and box office. “And the volunteer base was undertrained, on top of all those things,” Reynolds said. “It will be more streamlined this year.”
He said this year’s Open will have more than double the sponsors. Fans may notice other changes as well. Seats in general admission have been moved closer to the court. A food court will be added, as well as a bigger tent and increased air flow.
“Listen,” Reynolds said, “it’s not going to be perfect this year, but it’s going to be radically better than last year. As long as we’re making improvements every year, it’s a positive.”
On the court, the number of ATP points awarded to the winner has increased from 100 to 125, as has the purse, from $100,000 to $160,000. Reynolds said Moore wants to move the Sarasota Open into the $250,000 range and have a stadium added to Payne.
“It would have to be a destination tournament,” Reynolds said, “like Indian Wells, where people just fly it to make it a 250. It’s a dream and a hope.”
This year’s field includes Daniel Elahi Galan and Steve Johnson, respectively, the winner and runner-up from last year’s Open. The highest-ranked player in attendance will be Australia’s Jason Kubler, ranked 70th in the world.
“This year will probably have a stronger draw,” Reynolds said. “I think it’s a pretty solid draw. We are over-represented by non-Americans, but the tennis level is going to be very good.”
“I think we’re one of the biggest (tennis) calendar (events) in the U.S.,” he said. “There are one or two out there that are bigger. Listen, it’s got a bright future. There’s definitely an appetite for tennis, the demographics are great, and the people are nice. We just have to keep building and growing every year.”
Saturday will feature a pro-am in the morning, followed by a free youth clinic. Singles qualifying starts Sunday, and the first-round of singles play begins Monday at noon. The Open concludes on April 16 with the singles finals.
For tickets, or more information, visit SarasotaOpen.com.
SARASOTA — After 20 years and changes in format and organizers, the Newtwon Easter Parade is slated to return to Sarasota's historically Black neighborhood for the holiday on Sunday, April 9.Beginning at 2 p.m., the Easter parade will bring a festive celebration back to the community while also connecting generations of residents. The walking parade route begins at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Osprey Avenue and will end at Cocoanut Avenue.In conjunction with the parade, organizers ...
SARASOTA — After 20 years and changes in format and organizers, the Newtwon Easter Parade is slated to return to Sarasota's historically Black neighborhood for the holiday on Sunday, April 9.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the Easter parade will bring a festive celebration back to the community while also connecting generations of residents. The walking parade route begins at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Osprey Avenue and will end at Cocoanut Avenue.
In conjunction with the parade, organizers will again host the spring festival from 2 to 7 p.m. The festival will be adjacent to the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition's (SAACC) Historic Leonard Reid House at Dr. MLK Jr. Way and Orange Avenue. The parade and the festival are free and open to the public and guests can expect live music, food trucks, vendors, performances, and of course, an egg hunt for children.
The parade's long hiatus has been a result of a combination of organizer efforts, community support, and safety concerns. But this year's plans for the holiday parade and festival have been backed by the city of Sarasota, along with city officials and longtime community leaders.
After a successful revamp and trial run of the spring festival at the Robert Taylor Community Center last Easter, festival organizers Walter Gilbert, Norice Wright, and city commissioner and Mayor Kyle Battie felt the time was right to bring back the entire experience for new generations.
"We are hoping to help revitalize the community and bring back the old flavor for kids that are two generations away from even knowing what an Easter parade looks like," Gilbert said.
Gilbert, who has been a part of the Newtown Easter celebration in some capacity since 1963, and Wright worked for months to organize the parade and are expecting a high turnout. Thanks to support and help from the city, the organizers believe this year's celebration will begin a new tradition of partnership with the local community and the city.
"People organizing before were burned out and fell away from it," Gilbert. "The conversation to bring it back started with Commissioner Kyle Battie. He really went to bat at the city level to make this happen."
Battie, a Sarasota native, said the parade and festivities are much more than surface level for the community.
He and the City Commission have worked since last Easter for funding and support to execute this year's event. The mayor said the organizers are expecting between 1,000 and 2,000 families and individuals to attend the festivities Sunday.
"I'm ecstatic to bring back this honored tradition to Newtown," Battie said. "It's been defunct for a generation. With tradition comes pride, so this is not just about the entertainment that's part of the festivities but about building a sense of community and instilling a sense of pride in kids in the community. The parade is in Newtown but it's for the entire city of Sarasota."
Samantha Gholar covers news for the Herald-Tribune and USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at [email protected] or on Twitter: @samanthagholar
From the moment I exited my mother’s womb I was a Chicago Cubs fan.My first words were in fact, “Hey Chicago, whaddaya say?” and my parents both pinched my cheeks, changed my diaper and proudly responded, “The Cubs are gonna win today!”Family reunions started taking place at Wrigley Field before I knew what beer was, I partied in Wrigleyville with my cousins before IPA beers became mainstream, and I watched the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 against my now-husband’s home team as we sipped ...
From the moment I exited my mother’s womb I was a Chicago Cubs fan.
My first words were in fact, “Hey Chicago, whaddaya say?” and my parents both pinched my cheeks, changed my diaper and proudly responded, “The Cubs are gonna win today!”
Family reunions started taking place at Wrigley Field before I knew what beer was, I partied in Wrigleyville with my cousins before IPA beers became mainstream, and I watched the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 against my now-husband’s home team as we sipped on stouts and cried for two different reasons.
Whether you attend games to eat concession snacks or because you’re a lifelong fan, there is something about choosing your game day cap, slapping on some sunscreen, heading to your first game or turning the game on at home, cracking open a beer, taking a sip and saying, “It’s a 'brewtiful' day for a baseball game.”
Our community is full of local breweries, with more entering the area by the fleets to feed us their fermented adult beverages. This made narrowing down the choices more difficult than understanding the new rules of baseball (like how the pitch clock will cut into my beer-consuming time). Like the beauty of baseball, these tasty three breweries in Sarasota and Manatee counties have created core memories for this below-average beer boozer who happens to be an above-average baseball fan.
Here are three breweries that have knocked it out of the park for me lately.
975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, 941-371-2939; 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, 941-708-2966; BigTopBrewing.com
Most Valuable Player: Hawaiian Lion Porter ($7 draft, $12 6-pack). I know porters are primarily purchased in the winter months, but when you add 150 pounds of fresh coconut to local Java Dog Coffee and make it into an alluring and appetizing alcoholic beverage, I could sip that stuff 365 days a year. This rich, smooth and memorable beer has seen my fridge (and my belly) monthly for the past seven years — not to mention the lion design pops so proudly on the Publix shelves.
Grand Slam: Spring Kolsch ($6 draft, $14 6-pack). I drank Kolsch while living in Cologne, Germany, in 2011, where the beverage originates. Kolsch, in its light-bodied beer profile, reminds me of spring weather, being near or on the water and watching the sun fade away into the night. Big Top’s additive of peach flavors in their Spring Kolsch, 4.8% ABV, puts me in a pleasant mood and provides my palate with nostalgia that I didn’t know I missed so dearly. When you are in need of a beer that won’t bloat your belly but will get your boozy dance moves going, turn to the peach product from Big Top.
Fly the “W” Flag: Hazy Sky Wire NEIPA ($7 draft, $14 6-pack). Winning Best Juicy & Hazy Pale Ale in the state of Florida at the Best Florida Beer Brewer’s Ball, this grapefruit, pine and tropical fruit infused New England IPA is bright, beautiful and bold. NEIPAs, as shown in this Sarasota sampling, have a full flavorful body with fruit flavors at a lower bitter level than other IPAs. With obvious correlations to our circus community, Big Top’s creativity behind names and designs like this make me proud to support Sarasota (and now Lakewood Ranch!) brewmeisters like these.
Pre-Season Batter Up: I’m counting the days until Pumpkin Stiltskin Ale is on draft again. This pumpkin ale is spooky spectacular, devilishly deliciously and hauntingly worth the hype. Local pumpkin beer has never hit the mark for me, but Big Top’s version suspended any further speculation. With flavors of baked pumpkin and vanilla, cinnamon, honey and brown sugar — I wish this 8.9% ABV concoction could be featured continuously throughout the year. Hey hey, whaddaya say, Big Top?
Extra Base Hit: Nosh on K.D. Blue’s Gastropub on Wheels at the Big Top Sarasota location or join them for a food truck rally every second Saturday of the month. To soak up the pints of beer you can’t stop ordering, try the fried ravioli ($11.95). It will surely save your liver and treat your tastebuds to something super savory. Rotating food trucks are featured at the Lakewood Ranch location.
1570 Lakefront Drive, Sarasota; 941-238-6466; GoodLiquidBrewingCompany.com
Most Valuable Player: Orange Wheat (4 oz. $3, 16 oz. $6.50, 32 oz. $12.50). As our one-minute-of-spring season fades into summer, drinking heavy beer is not on the agenda for most. Good Liquid knows how to generate libations for the summer season quickly sizzling its way toward us! This American-style wheat, clocking in at 5.5% ABV, has notes of sweet orange peel and zest — a perfect pair for a Floridian fan of beers during the dog days of April.
Grand Slam: Coconut Key Lime Sour (4 oz. $3, 16 oz. $6.50, 32 oz. $12.50). I might stand alone here, but I prefer sour beers to most other brewski offerings — as long as I’m carrying my to-go Tums container in my purse. Sours are brewed to the highest level of acidity possible, but according to this brew-babe, sours are the crisp of the crop. So when Good Liquid released a coconut and key lime sour, then won a silver medal in the Best Florida Beer Sour category, I packed my anti-acids. In a flash, I found myself in line at the Waterside-based bar eager and excited for the enchanting extracts of Floridian flavors in a fermented fashion.
Fly the “W” Flag: Milk Stout (4 oz. $3.50, 16 oz .$7, 32 oz. $17.50). I am cocoa-nuts for this. I like my stouts like I like my coffee: chocolaty, milky and sugary — and that is exactly how Good Liquid creates its American milk stout, 6% ABV. While this offering is only available for a limited time, the chocoholic in me had to chime in and chant for this chocolate contribution to the community. For those with a dairy allergy, this might not be the brew for you, but with all the other Good Liquid offers, you won’t be standing sober, I assure you.
Pre-Season Batter Up: A dear friend of mine would have lived at Good Liquid after having this apricot hefeweizen if she hadn’t moved away. I’ve never seen someone have a heart for hefeweizen like her — whether it was a day on the boat or a bonfire night, her hefeweizen appreciation rang true all year through. This German-style white beer is blended with a luscious apricot puree that pairs perfectly with plopping down on a pleasant rocking chair placed on the restaurant’s porch. I’ll save you a seat for your return to Lakewood Ranch, Meghan.
Extra Base Hit: It’s the cast iron meatballs ($15.50) topped with grated grana Padano that make boozing on the dock, in the beer garden under the string lights and inside the restaurant all that more delicious for me. But don’t let the appetizers fool you. There is a full menu with burgers, pizzas, entrees and more — including a brunch menu!
5701 Derek Ave., Sarasota; 941-922-8150; CalusaBrewing.com
Most Valuable Player: Zote. When my brother-in-law, who is a brew master in North Carolina, sat down and sipped Zote for the first time, the words that left his grinning mouth were, “Damn, if that isn’t the juiciest beer I’ve ever had.” Most restaurants and bars in Sarasota carry Calusa’s 7.5% ABV flagship beer as the standard IPA on draft — as they should. Tropical, citrus, and when poured into a glass, it shines like the Florida sunshine.
Grand Slam: My husband and I have two part Maine Coon cats and plan on loving as many four-legged fur babies as our house can hold for years to come. So when Calusa released a beer named after their own brewery-based cats, I instantly needed to try it, meet these two purrfect local celebrities and promise my husband and the staff that I would not put them in my bag and bring them home. Recently tapped at the brewery, the Bones and Domino Double NEIPA is back and will have you feline fine in no time.
Fly the “W” Flag: Talk about tart, tasty and totally top-tier beer. The LemonBerry Squeeze Fruit Beer, coming in at 5.%% ABV, is currently offered on draft in the taproom or can be purchased in four-packs to go. It gave my sour-loving heart a sweet and sensational feeling that only brew-based guardian angels could relinquish. Twists of strawberry and as Calusa’s social media posts put it, a “flavorful escape in every sip.”
Pre-Season Batter Up: With can releases happening on Saturdays at the brewery, these brewing geniuses will probably release another new can to the mix before this column is even published. For example, Taylor Pogue, the marketing director for Calusa Brewing, gave me a sneak peek into the BA PB Swirl that is out now (but wasn't at the time of this research). I will tell you before relishing this refreshment that when you bring roasted peanuts and vanilla beans aged in a bourbon barrel for six months into the alcoholic atmosphere, it assures that all dreams can become realities.
Extra Base Hit: Calusa’s food truck schedule is updated weekly on its website and Facebook page. But some of the tasty trucks that I have delightfully dined with include Big Blue Grilled Cheese, The Greeks Food Truck and Il Funky Fusion. The list of food truck offerings, which ranges from burgers to barbecue to everything in between, is pretty impressive.
With a new contract extension that will keep him as the artistic leader of The Sarasota Ballet for 10 more years, Director Iain Webb has put together a new season that will include two world premieres, hoped-for company premieres and new looks at past productions designed to challenge a growing and changing company.There will be no big productions at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall because the venue will be booked next season with the ...
With a new contract extension that will keep him as the artistic leader of The Sarasota Ballet for 10 more years, Director Iain Webb has put together a new season that will include two world premieres, hoped-for company premieres and new looks at past productions designed to challenge a growing and changing company.
There will be no big productions at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall because the venue will be booked next season with the Sarasota premiere of “Hamilton” and other Broadway shows that will limit availability of the hall, where the company recently produced the classic “La Sylphide” and last year’s world premiere of David Bintley’s “The Comedy of Errors.”
Instead, the company will offer three programs at its home base in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, which it shares with Asolo Repertory Theatre, and four at the Sarasota Opera House.
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There will be world premieres by Gemma Bond and resident choreographer Ricardo Graziano, both of whom introduced new pieces to launch the 2022-23 season.
Here’s a look at the seven programs planned, with a few slots still to be finalized.
Oct. 20-22, FSU Center
Gemma Bond, whose “Excursions” was part of an all-premiere fall opener, will create a new piece to open next season. “This one will be more classically oriented, but we’re still discussing what she wants to do,” Webb said. It will be paired with Frederick Ashton’s “Varii Caprici” which the company performed last summer at the Joyce Theatre in New York, and Johan Kobborg’s “Salute,” which was last presented in 2012.
Nov. 17-18, Sarasota Opera House
The evening will feature the company premiere of “The Art of War” by Edward Liang, artistic director of Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio, and a former New York City Ballet dancer. “We’ve wanted to do this for a while and we’ve finally worked out timing where he can come to work with us,” said Webb, adding that the title may be misleading. It was inspired by Chinese calligraphy and depicts dancers striking the right lines and knowing when to release control, as in calligraphy. The piece will be paired with Ashton’s “Dance Sonata” and Paul Taylor’s “Company B,” set to music by the Andrews Sisters, which it last performed in a digital program during the pandemic shutdown.
Dec. 15-16, Sarasota Opera House
George Balanchine’s “Theme & Variations” is “the really perfect piece” to showcase the classical skills of the current company of dancers. Those same dancers will face the challenges of Twyla Tharp’s “In the Upper Room,” which the company first performed in 2010. “When we first did it, I was so over the top with the adrenaline and the fact that the dancers got through it. It’s so physically hard,” Webb said. Also expected on the program are Kobborg’s “Les Lutins” and other divertissements.
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Jan. 26-29, FSU Center
To mark the 10th anniversary of principal dancer Ricardo Graziano being named resident choreographer, Webb will devote an entire evening to his work, including a world premiere. It is the company’s second all-Graziano program. It will also include his “Sonatina” and his widely acclaimed “In the State of Weightlessness.” Herald-Tribune dance critic Carrie Seidman said his “exploration of suspension, lightness and ethereality was so mesmerizing, it seemed to go by in a heartbeat.”
March 8-11, FSU Center
The Sarasota Ballet continues its “We Present” series, which features outside dance troupes performing in Sarasota. It will announce the performance company later. This year, it presented Dance Theatre of Harlem.
April 5-6, Opera House
An evening of reprises features George Balanchine’s “Emeralds” section of his full-length “Jewels” and the Gershwin-inspired “Who Cares,” bookending Kenneth MacMillan’s dramatic “Las Hermanas,” a dance version of Federico Garcia Lorca’s play “The House of Bernarda Alba,” about a demanding mother leading her five daughters through a long period of mourning following the death of her husband.
April 26-27, Opera House
Most of this evening is still to be announced. Webb is hopeful to present at least one, and possibly two company premieres but contracts had not been finalized. It will include Ashton’s “Sinfonietta,” which the company has not performed in several years.
Live music will accompany programs 3, 6 and 7.
For details about tickets, contact The Sarasota Ballet at 941-359-0099 or go to sarasotaballet.org.
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