Award-Winning Beer & International Study

Gulfport Brewery Takes Home Honors; St. Pete Beach Study Goes Global

By Cameron Healy

Not only did they receive a trophy, but a gold, silver, and bronze medal for the best craft beers in the state. For the Best Florida Beer Pro 2023, 839 brews entered the contest for 59 medal groups.

One of the owners, Matt Acree, explained every brewery could submit up to eight craft beers for the contest. Judges from all over the nation blindly taste the beers and award accordingly.

“Hippie Oasis” won the brewery the gold for the juicy and hazy pale ale category. The brewery’s light American wheat beer without yeast “Gulfport Gold” won silver for American wheat or rye beer category. “Unsteady Freddy IPA” won bronze for American India pale ale.

“It’s amazing since we are a new brewery and to be recognized by the entire state of Florida for our accomplishments. It’s just an amazing feeling,” co-owner Doc Kane said.

Gulfport Brewery + Eatery, 3007 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport 727-9544109.

St. Pete Beach Dementia Study Goes Global

In June, Dr. Denise DuPree of Homewatch Caregiver of St. Pete Beach will present at the second International Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Conference in Rome, Italy. Her presentation is on Aging in Place with Dementia: Strategies for Successfully Aging in Place

DuPree co-owns Homewatch Caregiver’s St. Pete Beach location. Homewatch Caregiver provides “24hour assistance, elder care, dementia care, Alzheimer’s care, senior transportation, and more” to clients in Pinellas.

Top Three in Small Breweries

On Mar. 5, Gulfport Brewery & Eatery placed in Best Florida Beer’s 21st annual Brewer’s Ball. The brewery took home a 2nd runner up trophy for best small brewery.

Owners Echo Bartlett, Doc Kane, and Matt Acree opened Gulfport Brewery & Eatery in June 2020. Since opening, Head Brewer Jason Toft created the brewery’s awarded best craft beers.

“Especially opening during the pandemic and how far we’ve come in such a short time, getting third best small brewery in the state is pretty sweet,” Acree said.

For more than 21 years, DuPree worked in the health field as an acupuncture physician. According to her conference biography, “she has extensive experience in elder care, oncology, women’s health, and postpartum care.”

According to her scientific abstract, “aging in place” describes “seniors who are able to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

The objective is “to help family members and caregivers who support older adults understand the complexities of dementia.”

She shares the strategies for making a plan for older adults with memory loss who want to age in place. These strategies help older adults live independently.

DuPree’s presentation touches on “the challenges that come with each stage of dementia” and addresses possible solutions. She covers essential topics to solutions including “safety concerns, home modifications, environment management, communication issues, behavioral episodes, and tools for maintaining independence.”