When the craft beer revolution began decades ago, Florida breweries produced lots of low-quality beers. That's no longer true in the Sunshine State.
Beer expert David Butler marvels at “the incredible strides” Florida’s craft breweries have made in the past few years.
“Nowadays, the same people who were laughing at the Sunshine State and how slow it was to join the craft beer game are clamoring for bottles from places like Funky Buddha, J. Wakefield, Angry Chair and others,” says Butler who writes floridabeerblog.
Florida’s “rich and varied agricultural heritage” also gives brewers in the state an opportunity “to play with a lot of ingredients” that brewers in other states’ do not use, he says. “Florida breweries are getting so creative, so varied and so good that I prefer them to the brewery scene in a number of other states.”
Here are Butler’s favorite craft breweries and his comments about each:
26 Degree Brewing, Pompano Beach. “I’ve spoken to many South Florida brewers, and they agree that 26 Degree is the underappreciated hero of craft beer in Broward County. Headed up by a very simple hefeweizen named Captain Ron and its gentle East Coast IPA1A, 26 Degree has a love for traditional styles and enjoys experimentation. Of particular note is Pucker Face, a hoppy sour ale for adventurous craft beer drinkers.”
Angry Chair Brewing, Tampa. “This brewery is the king of the gigantic dessert stout, occasionally released in bottles at events with lines wrapping around the block in the pre-dawn hours. It is also known for electric, bright sour beers, but it can do the standards pretty well, too. Head to the brewery’s Seminole Heights taproom to get a fresh pour of the big, heavy chocolatey goodies that are always on tap.”
3 Daughters Brewing, St. Petersburg. “A big, family-friendly taproom, partnered with a solid, ever-rotating selection of beer, cider and seltzer, makes this one of my favorites. The recent addition of a kitchen allows patrons of all ages to enjoy their time at the brewery without feeling rushed. 3 Daughters delights with brewing styles that few breweries want to touch, including a malt liquor released months ago that was pretty fantastic. No paper bag needed.”
Ulele, Tampa. “Brewpubs don't get enough love, especially ones that are as high concept and high quality as Ulele. The restaurant was founded by long-time Tampa anchor Columbia Restaurant Group and inhabits a revitalized water pump along the Hillsborough River. The food, inspired by pre-Columbian tribes that lived in the area, is headed up by grilled oysters prepared on a large on-stage grill. The beers come courtesy of Tim Shackton. He is given free reign to craft an amazing array of beers that go from white-like Hydration Station lager and his signature wedding beer to dark, flavorful and nuanced beers from a robust barrel-aging program. Of particular note are the beers named for Tampa's mayors, including an Irish Stout named for former Mayor Bob Buckhorn and an American wheat ale inspired by current Mayor Jane Castor.”
Barrel of Monks Brewing, Boca Raton. “I simply adore Belgian-style ales, and nobody in the state does it better than Barrel of Monks. The owners, two of whom are radiologists in their native Boca Raton, continually travel to and brew styles of beer found in Belgium. If you’re a big fan of the bubblegum funk, make the pilgrimage to this dark, sexy tap room. This holds especially true if Barrel of Monks has Parade of Souls on tap. It is a massively dark Imperial Stout made with a Belgian yeast strain. Make sure you are getting a lift home.”
Invasive Species Brewing, Fort Lauderdale. “One of the big reasons Fort Lauderdale has come screaming into the Florida craft beer scene is Invasive Species. Headed by a former brewer from Funky Buddha and the owners of South Florida's venerated taproom Laser Wolf, Invasive Species runs the gamut from nice, clean blonde ales to excessively heavy dessert stouts and hop-bomb IPAs. Don’t let the rather extensive collection of taxidermied animals steer you away.”
Khoffner Brewery, Fort Lauderdale. “This brewery is named for and run by Rauf Hoffner, a third-generation Turkish brewer with an extensive list of recipes, including some more than 180 years old. If you’re looking for crisp, clean traditional beers, his place is perfect. And, for those who enjoy a smoke, his exclusive blend of cigars make a great pairing on a calm evening.”
Beat Culture, Miami. “Beat Culture is one of Miami’s newest breweries, situated in a former restaurant of Days Inn. The brewery skews very nicely toward fruity flavors, using its proximity to great tropical agriculture to best advantage. Big, tart bottle releases are becoming the norm, and an on-site kitchen leaves patrons with very little reason not to stay and enjoy.”
Legacy Caribbean Craft Brewery, Opa-locka. “This brewery provides the quintessential Miami experience. It is owned and operated by sons of a former brewer in the Dominican Republic, and that cultural upbringing is evident in everything released. Signature beers include nicely hopped Humble Noble IPA and Mulato Porter. The brewery also hosts release parties and events at its small taproom in Opa-locka (about 15 miles north of Miami).”
Big Storm Brewing, Clearwater, Odessa and Cape Coral. “Big Storm has three tap rooms in the state: a Cape Coral facility that works on new recipes; a Pasco taproom in Odessa that’s been converted exclusively to sour ales, and a main Clearwater production facility that hosts a new creamery and coffee roastery. Every fall, Big Storm releases one of the best Oktoberfest beers in the state, and its key lime Shandy is a quintessentially refreshing beer on a humid Florida summer day.”
Halpatter Brewing, Lake City. “Almost no one knows about Lake City, Florida, but Halpatter Brewing is starting to change that in this North Florida city. In an old building that used to house the Red Cross and a post office, Halpatter releases a wide range of classic styles. O’Leno Cream Ale is a particular favorite. This brewery is also leading the revitalization of downtown Lake City, turning it into a destination for people to stop at on their way into and out of Florida on Interstate 75.”
Lake Tribe Brewing, Tallahassee. “Tallahassee has been gaining serious traction with craft beer. Only open a few days a week, Lake Tribe is getting known for its Wild Woods project, a series of ales expertly blended with interesting adjuncts and fermented with wild yeasts. They are also available on tap at nearby Florida State University where you may find Red Cloud IPA or the wonderful Setsuma orange wheat ale.”
J. Wakefield Brewing, Miami. “Pretty much everybody in Florida’s craft beer world knows J. Wakefield. It is the only brewery in Miami’s Wynwood area that doesn’t have out-of-state corporate ownership. J. Wakefield’s home base is run by an awesome staff, pouring an ever-revolving list of heavy dessert stouts and electric, fruit-forward Floridaweisse beers, including the signature Dragonfruit Passionfruit Berliner Weisse.”
