Redlight Redlight
http://www.myspace.com/theredlightredlight
745 Bennett Road
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 893-9832
In 2010, Redlight Redlight held its second annual Scaldis Noel Draft Vertical. They tapped 5 vintages all at the same time and flights of 5 vintage 3 ounce pours were served.
After receiving an alert about this Christmas beer event, I gave a Brent Hernandez, another hero of the good beer movement, a call to say thanks and learn some more about his operation. Redlight Redlight (name inspired by the Amsterdam district) has 23 draft lines, 2 beer engines and over a hundred bottles at any one time. They specialize in Vintage beers and have served Scaldis Prestige and Vintage Bons Voeux on tap as well.
Brent started the business in 2005. He reports Orlando market for good beer is getting much better, though fuky laws still inhibit business in some ways. For instance, Florida law says you can’t serve beer in a container larger than 32 ounces until you get up to a gallon. Hence Magnums are illegal but jereboams are ok. Pfffff.
I asked him how he does so well with strong ales like Scaldis – beers typically enjoyed where and when the weather is cool. His response: catering to an educated clientele is key. Every once in a while Mother Nature provides an assist: when it snowed last February, Scaldis sales spiked.
Redlight Redlight is about half an hour away from DisneyWorld, and only beer geek tourists who manage to sneak away from Disney make it here. Redlight Redlight is nestled between Baldwin Park and Audubon Park neighborhoods near the Executive airport.
Yelpers say:
“THE best place in Orlando (and maybe the entire country) to drink beer.”
“I have nothing but respect to the guys at Redlight, for teaching me about beers and for continuing to challenge my taste buds in a never ending adventure. You are a true gem of Orlando, and we’re lucky to have you.”
“I was sad when I had to leave the sunny beer garden of Redlight Redlight and head back to the Disney cult-compound where my conference was being held. Y’all rock, Redlight!”
Next time you are anywhere near Orlando, we hope you will stop in and have a beer at Redlight Redlight.
For more information on wonderful watering holes, sneak a peek at Imbibe magazine’s March/April 2011 feature: 100 Best Places to Drink in the South.
