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It’s official, craft beer is a trend that is here to stay. Luckily for beer aficionados, Florida has established their spot in the scene with over 100 breweries and brewpubs in every corner of the state, all eager to fulfill your ale and lager needs. Amp up and personalize your beer experience by visiting one of these small businesses to learn the ins-and-outs of their beer-making processes and sample one of their fresh from the tap beers crafted in the Sunshine State. Sip through your tour of Florida’s dynamic beer industry one glass at a time at one of these craft brewery destinations.
Cigar City Brewing, Tampa
Nationally renowned and the most well-known in Florida, Cigar City Brewing is located in Tampa with no signs of giving up their top spot in the beer scene. Cigar City produces local favorites such as Jai Alai India Pale Ale, Florida Cracker and the Hunahpu Imperial Stout. With its instant success, they have produced more than 500 other beers since opening in 2008. Pop in for a tour with an enthusiastic guide and taste one of the fresh delicious beers, such as the Cubano-style Espresso Brown Ale, Paloma Gose German-style Sour Ale, or Invasion Tropical Pale Ale.
Orlando Brewing, Orlando
Orlando Brewing has a simple mantra, “darn good beer,” and indeed that is what they deliver. Standing as the only USDA-certified organic brewery in the state, Orlando Brewing creates a beer with unique flavors without all the additives. Try one of their flights to truly get a chance to taste all that they have to offer. With beers like Orlando Weiss, Uncle Matt’s Organic Grapefruit Pale Ale and Chocolate Mint Girl Stout, which has all the same flavors as the favorite Girl Scout cookie.
7venth Sun Brewery, Dunedin
Opening in 2012, this small unassuming location with four and a half-barrel system brewery in Dunedin aims to offer creative and innovative beers to the west coast of Florida. With an impressive resume to boot, the owner of 7venth Sun Brewing is a former brewmaster of Anheuser-Busch and Sweetwater Brewing with a degree in Fermentation Science. Specializing in Belgian-style beer, IPAs, barrel-aged and oak-aged sour beers, 7venth Sun brews unique flavors such as a cucumber gose and a whiskey barrel aged saison with apricots. There’s also a second location in Tampa.
Cycle Brewing, St. Pete
Located in the heart of downtown St. Pete lies a bicycle-themed brewery. With stainless steel decor, beer taps designed as gears, and a laid back vibe, it’s complete with local art hanging on the walls and dog-friendly patios. Popular with beer enthusiasts around the area, Cycle Brewing makes some incredible and flavorful beers such as Not At All Maple Syrup and Cream and Sugar Please, a rich and satisfying coffee porter.
Tequesta Brewing Company, Tequesta
Located near West Palm Beach, you’ll find Tequesta Brewing Company, an impressive brewery that holds a silver medal from the Great American Beer Festival. With over 40 different specialty taps produced yearly, you are sure to find something to keep every type of beer lover happy. Known for their popular Der Chancellor German Kolsch that is equal parts crisp and complex, they also produce catchy named beers like Wheat the People and Gnarly Barley.
Swamp Head Brewery, Gainesville
With a tasting room nicknamed “The Wetlands,” the brewery at Swamp Head has a fun, laid-back vibe including giant Connect 4 games, Jenga, and corn hole. This Gainesville-based brewery has an impressive resume, and an even more impressive mission to be sustainable and carbon neutral. With the use of locally sourced ingredients, enjoy one of the Swamp Head’s finest brews such as Stump Knocker, Big Nose IPA, a coffee oatmeal stout called Midnight Oil, or Wild Night, a cream ale brewed with Tupelo honey.
Due South Brewing, Boynton Beach
Located in a 15,000 square-foot warehouse building in Boynton Beach, Due South Brewing was developed from a home brewing hobby and evolved into one of the best breweries in South Florida. Featured in big press publications such as the Boston Globe and the New York Post, it is clear that others are noticing what this place has to offer. Make sure to taste their popular caramel scented Caramel Cream Ale or be really adventurous and get the Key Lime Pie Coastline Lager, with notes of zesty limes and sweet vanilla.
Oyster City Brewing Company, Apalachicola
A true local watering hole, Oyster City Brewing is in the heart of Apalachicola. Created by a group of craft beer enthusiasts, the people at Oyster City will give you friendly service while showing off their passion for what they do. Head to this quaint Florida town and try the Apalach IPA, Hooter Brown, or the Mangrove Pale Ale with mango and you won’t be disappointed.
Wynwood Brewing Company, Miami
Located in Miami’s vibrant Wynwood Art District, this small brewery is family owned and operated. With a 15-barrel brewhouse, this trendy spot is popular not only for the large communal tables and board games but for its delicious beers such as the refreshing blonde ale La Rubia and their malty-sweet American Pale Ale appropriately called Magic City.
