Friends - I am heading down to Florida from NJ next week, and am looking for some brew pub and Florida craft beer recommendations. We have a 3 week road trip planned with Boca Raton, Key West, Sarasota and Disney on the itinerary. Since we usually only go to Disney, I am in need of some help around the state. I know about the World of beer, but after that I need some help. Anyone?
Florida beers
- Thread starter NJDevsfan
- Start date
dvcfamily41801
Future Walt Disney World Cast Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2001
- Messages
- 8,150
My husband is a craft beer snob 
. I keep hearing and reading about Cigar City in Florida and thought I heard on the podcast about a tap takeover at Swan Dolphin. We also enjoy trying Celebration Town Tavern. Oh and we have the Beers and Ears app on our phones! Have fun!!
. I keep hearing and reading about Cigar City in Florida and thought I heard on the podcast about a tap takeover at Swan Dolphin. We also enjoy trying Celebration Town Tavern. Oh and we have the Beers and Ears app on our phones! Have fun!!Bothepro24
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 17, 2010
- Messages
- 116
Joe in VA
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 372
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA is the best! Their Florida Cracker is pretty good too if you prefer Belgians to hoppy brews.
ninecrayons
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2009
- Messages
- 777
You're coming to my neck of the woods! (Sarasota!)
We are also big fans of Cigar City - yum! DH is a big fan of their Jai Alai and their Invasion.
Here in Sarasota we've got a lot of fun local things. JDubs Brewing Company does craft beer locally. I think I've only had one of theirs, but it was delicious! They have a tap room and it's amazing. http://www.jdubsbrewing.com/pc/
We also have Big Top Brewing, which is right by my house! I've not had their stuff, but I've heard good things. I don't think they have a tap room, but they do tours. http://www.bigtopbrewing.com/
Now if you're inclined to enjoy something stronger than beer, check out Siesta Key rum. I seriously love those guys.
When Epcot first did the Dole Whip w/ Rum, it was their spiced rum that was used. Their spiced rum is delicious and their distillers reserve just went on sale and people lined up at 5am to get the only 250 bottles currently available. They don't do tours during the summer due to no a/c, but they have a tasting room and you can sample pretty much anything. These guys are seriously wonderful. I have lots of feelings about them. 
http://www.drumcircledistilling.com/Sarasota/tasting-room.htmlHope that helps.
ukwildcat
Will always bleed blue. GO CATS!!!
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2006
- Messages
- 575
Punta Gorda is between Sarasota and Fort Myers. There is a place called The Ice House that has a bunch of beer on tap. Lots of local craft beers. The also have a ton more bottled beers.
Fat Point Brewing is a newer craft brewery in Punta Gorda. Their tap room is not open yet, but a few of their beers are found in some of the local Punta Gorda restaurants (Opus was the last one I heard).
Hope that helps some.
Fat Point Brewing is a newer craft brewery in Punta Gorda. Their tap room is not open yet, but a few of their beers are found in some of the local Punta Gorda restaurants (Opus was the last one I heard).
Hope that helps some.
AndyPok1
Back in MCO!
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2011
- Messages
- 347
Yeah, Orlando actually doesn't have much in the way of local breweries. Orlando Brewing is an all organic brewery thats... eh. I enjoy Beer:30, where all the drafts are $2 off on the 30th of the month.
Cigar City in Tampa is my favorite for random craft beer that isn't bottled. If you can get to their taproom do it. Blueberry muffin, Cafe Americano, Pineapple Right Side Up cake, and more.
Due South is a newer brewery in between West Palm and Boca Raton that I've begun to love. They've had a lot of tap takeovers locally. The Caramel Cream might be my favorite "regular" beer at this point.
Dunedin and 7eventh Sun also get high marks. Basically there's a ton of great craft breweries in the state... just mainly all on one of the coasts, not here in Orlando.
Cigar City in Tampa is my favorite for random craft beer that isn't bottled. If you can get to their taproom do it. Blueberry muffin, Cafe Americano, Pineapple Right Side Up cake, and more.
Due South is a newer brewery in between West Palm and Boca Raton that I've begun to love. They've had a lot of tap takeovers locally. The Caramel Cream might be my favorite "regular" beer at this point.
Dunedin and 7eventh Sun also get high marks. Basically there's a ton of great craft breweries in the state... just mainly all on one of the coasts, not here in Orlando.
ninecrayons
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2009
- Messages
- 777
This popped up on my facebook feed today.
http://mrbeeryssrq.com
They're a craft beer bar with "no crap on tap"
http://mrbeeryssrq.com
They're a craft beer bar with "no crap on tap"
Trip report begins today...spent four days in Southern North Carolina where I was able to get a phenomenal IPA by Foothills Brewing called Hoppymum. I chased that with a sweet Milk Stoudt from Duck - Rabbit which was a great change of pace, and as good as any Milk Stoudt I've gotten in Jersey. I did a little IPA comparison between Foothills and Westbrook which is from South Carolina. Westbrook gets better ratings (and it is great), but I really like Foothills. Headed to Key West tonight with a few left of those beers and a Sunset cruise on the horizon! Let me know if you find something I NEED to sample. Cheers!
hops&dreams
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2011
- Messages
- 1,241
As you can probably tell from my screen name, I'm kinda into craft beer ;-) I'd suggest that in addition to the Beers & Ears app (great for while on Disney property), be sure to get the Rate Beer Places app for when you're on the road - it can search for breweries, bars, restaurants - either nearby or near a particular city. We used the Search/find places function quite a bit when we took a road trip out west last year. Found a great few little pubs where we were able to try local brews, and find their ratings while in the car, on the road. Highly suggest the app! And it was free!
Have a great trip!!
Have a great trip!!
Thanks everyone for the continuing words of wisdom.
At the time of this second update, we are on Key West. We began our trip Wed eve with a sunset cruise which had limited beer selection. I tried (several times) an Amber Bock by Michelob which I thought was surprisingly good for one of the biggies. I wouldn't seek it out, but it was better than my other choices- Coors light and Miller lite.
Since I am in Key West, my daytime was spent poolside with a couple of Jimmy Buffett inspired boat drinks. I am sure I'll be forgiven here for straying from the hops.
Last night we went over to Mallory Square to enjoy the Catman show. I had a nice Key West Sunset Ale with my cracked conch to end our first full day here. The guy is crazier than I remember him, but the girls loved him..."Hurry up..slow down."
Today I'll download some of those apps and see where they take me. Think I'll find a Key Lime beer?
Cheers!
At the time of this second update, we are on Key West. We began our trip Wed eve with a sunset cruise which had limited beer selection. I tried (several times) an Amber Bock by Michelob which I thought was surprisingly good for one of the biggies. I wouldn't seek it out, but it was better than my other choices- Coors light and Miller lite.
Since I am in Key West, my daytime was spent poolside with a couple of Jimmy Buffett inspired boat drinks. I am sure I'll be forgiven here for straying from the hops.
Last night we went over to Mallory Square to enjoy the Catman show. I had a nice Key West Sunset Ale with my cracked conch to end our first full day here. The guy is crazier than I remember him, but the girls loved him..."Hurry up..slow down."
Today I'll download some of those apps and see where they take me. Think I'll find a Key Lime beer?
Cheers!
I am floating in beer. Today was a great day of sampling. The Rate beer app helped me locate Bone Island Brewing. I met one of the Brewers who was a great guy, but overall the beers are a touch weak.It is early for them yet. Hopefully they will make it. The APA was the tastiest in my opinion. They also had an Oatmeal with hints of banana. Pretty good. There is a cafe next for some sandwiches, but this place does not advertise. They are the Restaurant Store from the street.
Since I was a bit disappointed I decided to go for a guarantee - the World of Beer. If you have not heard of this chain, you need to check them out ASAP. There is one by Universal in Orlando, and I'll be hitting the one in Boca next week. Literally HUNDREDS of draught and bottled beers. I sampled the Florida beers - Islamorada Summer, Florida Orange Blossom, Cigar City Jai Alai, Mile Marker 0, and Due South Cream Ale. Cigar City was by far the best, but the others had the best flavor for what they were supposed to be. It is hot here, so a couple of light beers were as good as the flavor filled cream ale. I spent to rest of the day poolside with boat drinks and just finished with a bit of grappa.
What a day!
Cheers!
Since I was a bit disappointed I decided to go for a guarantee - the World of Beer. If you have not heard of this chain, you need to check them out ASAP. There is one by Universal in Orlando, and I'll be hitting the one in Boca next week. Literally HUNDREDS of draught and bottled beers. I sampled the Florida beers - Islamorada Summer, Florida Orange Blossom, Cigar City Jai Alai, Mile Marker 0, and Due South Cream Ale. Cigar City was by far the best, but the others had the best flavor for what they were supposed to be. It is hot here, so a couple of light beers were as good as the flavor filled cream ale. I spent to rest of the day poolside with boat drinks and just finished with a bit of grappa.
What a day!
Cheers!
I am floating in beer. Today was a great day of sampling. The Rate beer app helped me locate Bone Island Brewing. I met one of the Brewers who was a great guy, but overall the beers are a touch weak.It is early for them yet. Hopefully they will make it. The APA was the tastiest in my opinion. They also had an Oatmeal with hints of banana. Pretty good. There is a cafe next for some sandwiches, but this place does not advertise. They are the Restaurant Store from the street.
Since I was a bit disappointed I decided to go for a guarantee - the World of Beer. If you have not heard of this chain, you need to check them out ASAP. There is one by Universal in Orlando, and I'll be hitting the one in Boca next week. Literally HUNDREDS of draught and bottled beers. I sampled the Florida beers - Islamorada Summer, Florida Orange Blossom, Cigar City Jai Alai, Mile Marker 0, and Due South Cream Ale. Cigar City was by far the best, but the others had the best flavor for what they were supposed to be. It is hot here, so a couple of light beers were as good as the flavor filled cream ale. I spent the rest of the day poolside with boat drinks and just finished with a bit of grappa.
What a day!
Cheers!
Since I was a bit disappointed I decided to go for a guarantee - the World of Beer. If you have not heard of this chain, you need to check them out ASAP. There is one by Universal in Orlando, and I'll be hitting the one in Boca next week. Literally HUNDREDS of draught and bottled beers. I sampled the Florida beers - Islamorada Summer, Florida Orange Blossom, Cigar City Jai Alai, Mile Marker 0, and Due South Cream Ale. Cigar City was by far the best, but the others had the best flavor for what they were supposed to be. It is hot here, so a couple of light beers were as good as the flavor filled cream ale. I spent the rest of the day poolside with boat drinks and just finished with a bit of grappa.
What a day!
Cheers!
hops&dreams
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2011
- Messages
- 1,241
Glad the rate beer helped! I've read about untapped and I'll have to give that one a shot as well. Although the brewery you tried was new, you might be able to go back I a year or two and see how much they've grown as brewers. I love that- ah, I knew them way back when they were new to production brewing... (I can say that for a few now!)
Some of this places with the mega-selections- I love places like that! I feel like a kid walking into a candy store. The thing that stinks is that there are usually too any beers that I want to try (more than would be advisable for maintenance of decorum in a public place- haha), so I end up having to prioritize.
Sounds like a great trip- can't wait to hear more.
Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards
Some of this places with the mega-selections- I love places like that! I feel like a kid walking into a candy store. The thing that stinks is that there are usually too any beers that I want to try (more than would be advisable for maintenance of decorum in a public place- haha), so I end up having to prioritize.
Sounds like a great trip- can't wait to hear more.
Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards
dvcfamily41801
Future Walt Disney World Cast Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2001
- Messages
- 8,150
My husband is big into UnTapped. He is always telling me "its about the badge" 
I use it a lot for birthday and Christmas to look at his wish list. It comes in handy for me too!!
I use it a lot for birthday and Christmas to look at his wish list. It comes in handy for me too!!Greetings from Boca Raton.
What an unbelievable five days in Key West! Everything there is so laid back. Girls shopped, and I carried a beer from place to place. Imagine doing that at home. Retailers would make so much more money.
I was relegated to the Southernmost hotel bars on Saturday, so I visited them all. The Pineapple bar had Key West Sunset Ale - just ok at this point; the Shores bar had Bluepoint IPA - very good ; and the cafe had Bells Oberon - a bit too Blue Moonish. The bartender at the Shores bar really made the difference on the trip though. He gave me two spots to hit on our last day.
The first was across the street on Duval - the Cork and Stogie. If you like cigars, wine and craft beer on the porch of an old house in Key West...this your place on the Southern side. I tried a Cigar City Pre-prohibition style pilsner and I must say I was surprised by how good it was. A little light, but it was hot out, so it went down quickly. I sampled their cucumber saison, but the cucumber was just too much. Interesting idea though. Rumor is they are getting ready to ship North. I will ask about that on Friday when I stop there.
I also had a pint of Monk in the trunk's Amber ale. They have some pretty tasty stuff. I'd probably be drinking that often if I were a regular down here. Finally I finished my visit with Miami Brewing Company's Coconut. It was good, but a half pint was enough.
The second place that the bartender suggested was a place called the Porch on Duval and Caroline. World of Beer has great selection, but this place has atmosphere like no other on Duval. They have a big old mansion with a secluded beer garden. It is just fantastic. I had to grab and go, so I couldn't soak up all this place had to offer, but it was amazing. I drank a great beer called Wandering Pelican. It was a collaboration between Cigar City and Great Lakes. I had the Black lager. Just an awesome beer.
So in my opinion , if you go to Key West then The Porch is number one. After that, try Cork and Stogie. You don't have to smoke there, nor will the smell get in the way of the beer. Last spot would be the World of Beer for the selection. The bartenders are kind of useless there though.
I am headed out to Due South and the local World of Beer today, so more updates coming tomorrow.
If you have any beers I need to try send them my way...Cheers!
What an unbelievable five days in Key West! Everything there is so laid back. Girls shopped, and I carried a beer from place to place. Imagine doing that at home. Retailers would make so much more money.
I was relegated to the Southernmost hotel bars on Saturday, so I visited them all. The Pineapple bar had Key West Sunset Ale - just ok at this point; the Shores bar had Bluepoint IPA - very good ; and the cafe had Bells Oberon - a bit too Blue Moonish. The bartender at the Shores bar really made the difference on the trip though. He gave me two spots to hit on our last day.
The first was across the street on Duval - the Cork and Stogie. If you like cigars, wine and craft beer on the porch of an old house in Key West...this your place on the Southern side. I tried a Cigar City Pre-prohibition style pilsner and I must say I was surprised by how good it was. A little light, but it was hot out, so it went down quickly. I sampled their cucumber saison, but the cucumber was just too much. Interesting idea though. Rumor is they are getting ready to ship North. I will ask about that on Friday when I stop there.
I also had a pint of Monk in the trunk's Amber ale. They have some pretty tasty stuff. I'd probably be drinking that often if I were a regular down here. Finally I finished my visit with Miami Brewing Company's Coconut. It was good, but a half pint was enough.
The second place that the bartender suggested was a place called the Porch on Duval and Caroline. World of Beer has great selection, but this place has atmosphere like no other on Duval. They have a big old mansion with a secluded beer garden. It is just fantastic. I had to grab and go, so I couldn't soak up all this place had to offer, but it was amazing. I drank a great beer called Wandering Pelican. It was a collaboration between Cigar City and Great Lakes. I had the Black lager. Just an awesome beer.
So in my opinion , if you go to Key West then The Porch is number one. After that, try Cork and Stogie. You don't have to smoke there, nor will the smell get in the way of the beer. Last spot would be the World of Beer for the selection. The bartenders are kind of useless there though.
I am headed out to Due South and the local World of Beer today, so more updates coming tomorrow.
If you have any beers I need to try send them my way...Cheers!
-
New 10 Year Anniversary Event at Morimoto Disney Springs
-
Halloween Decor Has Arrived at Disney's Magic Kingdom!
-
FULL MENUS Revealed for 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival at Disney World
-
Shopping Aboard Disney Cruise Line Is a Treasure Trove of Exclusive Finds
-
Little Mermaid Musical at Walt Disney World to Join Lightning Lane Multi Pass
-
Every Ride Isn't Magical: 5 Disney Attractions I'd Bulldoze
-
Weird & Wacky Photos from Disney Parks' Past: Part V
Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
