Last Hurrah in Roatan — INDEPENDENCE CHRONICLES

After sitting on the boat in Barefoot Cay Marina for 6 weeks, we go awol. Borrowing a friends car we head to the West End for the weekend. On our way we stop by the Lawson Cafe to pick-up some beer from Mark, one of the owners of the Roatan Island Brewing Company (RIBC). We had intel that he would be on site filling growlers (or recycled O.J. bottles) with his best craft beers. We lucked out and not only scored some beer but also an invitation to come for a brewery tour the following week. You do not know how excited Larry was for this tour…we had driven by the brewery twice and seeing it closed each time broke Larry’s beer-lovin’ heart. After a nice two-night stay at The Beach House in the West End, where we snorkeled, jogged, and enjoyed the local food and drink we headed back to Barefoot Cay. Not easy considering we had to go through four roadblocks. Evidently, the ex-police Chief was again, flexing some mainland muscle and tightening up on the ‘no-drive’ Sundays. But, Monday arrived and we hopped over the hill to the Palmetto Valley and the 60 acres owned by the Roatan Island Brewing Company. We proceeded to be fully entertained and informed by Mark Flanagan, who gave us a tour and lesson on how the beers are made, followed by a a fabulous flight of his beers…what a special day…thank you Mark! Little did we know that we would be leaving Roatan two days later. We are so happy that we were able to experience the RIBC and it’s tasty beer.

The Roatan Island Brewing Company logo, perfect with it’s mountain biker http://www.roatanislandbrewing.com

The RIBC believes in best practices of environmental brewing, including using recycled kegs from different breweries

RIBC crafts their beer with the local water and specialty grains milled on site. Ater mashing & lautering the worth is then boiled and sent through the whirl pool where the hot wort is then cooled. Yeast & hops are added for fermentation and… — RIBC crafts their beer with the local water and specialty grains milled on site. Ater mashing & lautering the worth is then boiled and sent through the whirl pool where the hot wort is then cooled. Yeast & hops are added for fermentation and conditioning for 5 to 15 days. Then you can drink it!

Mark details the fermentation process for Larry

A fantastic chalk drawing of the brewing process

Mark is trying to figure out what he is going to do with all this beer. The RIBC had ramped up production for the height of the tourist season. They do many tours for cruise ship passengers, as well as brewing specialty beer for many of the island b… — Mark is trying to figure out what he is going to do with all this beer. The RIBC had ramped up production for the height of the tourist season. They do many tours for cruise ship passengers, as well as brewing specialty beer for many of the island bars, which are now closed due to the state of emergency. Craft beer has a shelf life of a few months….Larry, of course, offered to help take a few pints off his hands…

All the really cool bars that sell RIBC’s beer, that we’ll never get to see…except for #12…we saw that one

The much anticipated tasting of the flight of “ocho”

Mark drinks his current favorite, Juicy IPA, which Larry & I really enjoyed too. However, it was hard to pick a favorite. It is quite rare when Larry & I enjoy the taste and flavor of every beer at a craft brewery. The RIBC beer does not try… — Mark drinks his current favorite, Juicy IPA, which Larry & I really enjoyed too. However, it was hard to pick a favorite. It is quite rare when Larry & I enjoy the taste and flavor of every beer at a craft brewery. The RIBC beer does not try to create heavy tasting or high alcohol beer, as most people on the island are looking for a lighter tasting drink. I even enjoyed the beer they made for St. Patty’s day…that green one on the end made with the jalapeno peppers & pineapple!

Loving the sticker selection at the bar wall

‘Screech’ the brewery cat had been missing for a few days & showed up meowing like crazy during our tour. Mark said Screech is used to employees & tourists paying attention to him 24/7. When the brewery closed Screech didn’t know what to do … — ‘Screech’ the brewery cat had been missing for a few days & showed up meowing like crazy during our tour. Mark said Screech is used to employees & tourists paying attention to him 24/7. When the brewery closed Screech didn’t know what to do and ran off into the forest for a few days/weeks. He was skinny & beat up when he returned with a big chunk of fur & skin missing from his neck. After a good meal, water & a lot of attention he took a nap on the brewery floor.

A weekend in the West End…wishing I could have experienced the SCUBA here, but the snorkeling was great

A local wooden sculpture gets a pirate make-over

Let’s just walk a little bit more…who know what we will find…

That goofy smile on my face is due to the fact that I actually sniffed out an open bar (behind the boat)! Cheers to me!

We celebrate with a few short glasses of chilled tequila

The Beach House at West End is very sweet. We were the only people at the boutique hotel and it was so nice to get a new view. http://www.thebeachhouseroatan,com

We had to make our own cocktails…even though there was a perfectly good bar next door…when will they open up?!?

Sunset views from our room at The Beach House

Our view at dinner each night at The Beach House

Back at Barefoot Cay, we will miss my sweet towel animals…

…and we will miss Edson’s smile the most…