So, there are still a lot that I haven't been able to visit, but here is my list of the ones I recommend based on either visiting before or just sampling at home with notes attached:
- Orlando Brewing - Orlando - This is my go-to brewery and one of my favorite places to hang out in Orlando. I usually stop in for 1 or 2 or 3 or 4... and then fill up a growler to take home. They are an organic brewery for those crazy organic people out there and while I can't say all of their beers are great, there are definitely some stand-outs especially when it comes to their limited brews. My all-time favorite is Uncle Matt's Grapefruit Pale Ale, which is usually available about 3-4 months out of the year and actually was a featured beer at the Braves Spring Training games this year.
- Crooked Can Brewing Company - Winter Garden - Crooked Can is just a short drive north of WDW property and is extremely worth the drive. They are new on the scene, but they're making a big impact. Although I'm an IPA fan and really love their High Stepper IPA, the best beers they offer are their stouts.
- The Hourglass Brewery - Longwood - This brewery is by no means close to WDW property and about a 45 minute drive, but is definitely worth checking out. The brewery itself is kind of strange and definitely appeals to a younger crowd with some video games set up to play, board games and some bizarre wall murals including David Bowie from Labyrinth. The beers are pretty unique though and there is a huge selection of brews they make, but they also offer bottles of many different craft beers from around the world.
- Winter Park Beer Company - Winter Park - I have never personally been here or tried their beers, but Kylie has been and has been dying to take me so it must be decent since she knows first hand of my snobbiness.
- Big River Grille & Brewing Works - Lake Buena Vista - I don't think I have to say anything about Big River that Disney fans don't already know. If you always pass by, now is the time to stop in.
- Sea Dog Brewing Company - Lake Buena Vista - This is a tough one. I love Sea Dog. It is a great place to hang out. Their beers are primarily fruity and widely available (but taste much better on tap) and their food is really good and affordable. However, this is by no means a local brewery. Sea Dog restaurants are only found in Maine and Florida, but I would still qualify this one as more of BJ's style restaurant. Yes, they brew beer, but it is more or less about the food and I definitely recommend it for a way to get cheap food off property without traveling far at all (it is about a half-mile beyond Crossroads) and they have some great happy hour pricing too.
This is just my rough list for the greater-Orlando area and keep in mind this list will be changing soon as there are at least 5 new breweries opening up soon in this area.
The rest are ones that I've tried or visited from other areas:
- Hofbräuhaus St. Pete - St. Petersburg - First, Hofbräuhaus St. Pete is not quite open yet, but should be opening in the next few weeks. Second, if you've never experienced a Hofbräuhaus in your life then start planning. Hofbräuhaus is one of the oldest beer halls in Munich, Germany and the go-to beer if you're looking for good German beer, as well as future pilgrimage for myself and Kylie. There are several locations throughout the US including Cincinnati (technically Newport, Kentucky), Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cleveland and Columbus. There are also Hofbräu Beer Gardens in Miami, Panama City Beach, New York City and Milwaukee that serve Hofbrähaus food and beer, but the beer is not brewed on location, so I can't fully recommend these Beer Gardens. I cannot say enough good things about Hofbräuhaus and I'm so excited to have one close to home now after leaving both of mine in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The beer is brewed under the strict Bavarian Beer Purity Law and is my absolutely favorite German beer. German beer is easy (and hard) to drink a lot of, but I can go here and kill 3L like it's nothing. Hofbräuhaus locations are beer halls with the long wooden community tables, German band and staff dressed in lederhosen and dirndl. I will be making a monthly, if not bi-weekly, visit to St. Pete very soon.
- Cigar City Brewing - Tampa - Cigar City is easily the most popular brewery and Florida and for a ton of great reasons. These people know how to brew well and all of their beers are of the highest quality and their taproom offers so many that you can't get in cans at stores. Drive to Tampa specifically for this one and then experience a few more in the area.
- Tampa Bay Brewing Company - Tampa - This is definitely one of my favorites in Tampa and because of the great food they also serve here I'd almost put it above Cigar City. I enjoy eating and drinking together so anytime good food is offered it is going to be high on my list.
- Dunedin Brewery - Dunedin - This is my favorite brewery in Florida, period. I love my Orlando Brewing, but Dunedin is an extremely chill place. If I was to ever open a brewery it would resemble Dunedin Brewery. Some of their beers are hit or miss, but their Fried Squeaky Cheese and Poutine with Fried Squeaky Cheese makes up for it. Overall, it is just a great place to hang out and relax and if you've watched the video version of our shows then you've probably seen me wearing out my Dunedin Brewery grey hat.
- 7venth Sun Brewery - Dunedin - This one is just down the street from Dunedin Brewery and about the size of a small studio apartment, but I can't compliment it enough. However, this isn't for your average drinker. I would only go to this one if you are serious about trying unique craft beers and a definite stop for the beer aficionados who are already driving out to the Gulf Coast anyways.
- Two Henry's Brewing Company - Lakeland - This is a perfect stop if you're driving from Orlando to Tampa. Two Henry's is run in conjunction with a winery so a lot of the beer here is on the fruity side - particularly blueberries as it is the biggest harvest in the area. If you've never had Florida wine, you're not missing anything. It is overly sweet and makes for a better base for sangria than anything else. However, Two Henry's makes good use of the fruit grown in the area and has one of my all-time favorite beers - Blueberry Jalapeño Porter. It is heaven.
- Florida Beer Company - Cocoa - I've never visited Florida Beer Company, but I buy some of their bottles from time to time and I've never had anything I haven't liked. I rarely ever drive to Cocoa unless it is for a cruise and usually don't have enough time to do anything before boarding the ship, but this one is definitely on my list of places to try the next time I'm out to visit Teresa or heading to Kennedy Space Center.
- Cocoa Beach Brewing Company - Cocoa - Another tiny Brewery in Cocoa that I haven't visited, but really want to visit. Maybe I should take a brief road trip before I hit post...
- Due South & Funky Buddha - I-95 Boynton Beach/Fort Lauderdale/Miami Region - These are two extremely popular breweries in Florida and both are excellent. I've never visited their breweries, but that is because of the four hour drive to South Florida that I have no reason to make. Next time I'm in the area, it will be happening.
- Bold City Brewery - Jacksonville - This is a relatively new brewery in the past year located up North, but from what I've tried so far it is very good. I will be stopping here on my way up to Savannah for some wedding planning and will try to remember to update this after I hit it up.
- A1A Ale Works - St. Augustine - This is another one that I've heard a lot of great things about and will be stopping off when I'm driving up I-95 to Savannah or any other trip. St. Augustine actually isn't that far away from Orlando and is worth a visit to experience the oldest city in the United States.
So, that is my short list that I will give you as of now. Like I said, a lot will change as new breweries open and there are still plenty I haven't discovered yet. Plus, I may retract some breweries when I finally get a chance to visit. I just want to leave you with a couple more notes. A
Yuengling factory and beer garden is located in Tampa and for those from PA, New York, Maryland area then this probably isn't a huge draw, but there is a free factory tour offered and people love it. Personally, I dislike the taste of Yuengling in Florida and prefer the version I get at home, but I will still make time for the tour some day.
Brew Hub is a new concept on craft brewing and is 5 days a week in Lakeland right off of I-4. Not only does Brew Hub brew their own personal recipes, they also collaborate with other craft breweries like Cigar City to brew their beer on site providing the freshest batches they can. I've not visited yet, but I'm very interested in checking it out someday.
Finally,
World of Beer is becoming a popular chain throughout Florida and the East coast, but I would caution before checking it out. World of Beer features a ton of different craft beers from throughout the world on tap and then thousands and thousands of bottles. The Dr. Phillips location used to be one of my favorite spots, but the service has gone downhill. Also, all World of Beers have now added a food menu, which is excellent, but it has changed the demographics of the bar. Before, it was a hot spot for service industry workers with great deals, but now they definitely cater to business people just off work looking to drop a lot of money on food and beer. That being said, there is a World of Beer off of Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando that I think everyone should check out. If you haven't taken a walk around Lake Eola in your travels to Florida then it is definitely time to change that. You're definitely going to pay a premium at World of Beer and there are cheaper bars that serve even better beers around Orlando, but I felt like it needed to be mentioned regardless.
I think I am done this time. If anyone has any more questions just let me know. Also, if you're in the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area, drive out of your way to try Skyline Chili. No beer, but it is THE best Cincinnati-style chili and one of my favorite restaurants ever. If you find yourself driving down to Fort Lauderdale/Miami then find the closest Primanti Bros. Primanti Bros. is a Pittsburgh institution and is the best sandwich in Pennsylvania. Yes Philly, it is better than the sloppy, greasy crap you call Cheese Steaks and one day the world will wake up and see that. If you've never heard of Primanti Bros., they pile your choice of meat, vinegar-based coleslaw, tomatoes and French Fries in between two slices of crisp Italian bread. It is the best.
So, now that does it for my list of breweries and my favorite foods from home that also exist in Florida because their owners most likely retired down here and brought their favorite food with them list. Prost!
