hard cider
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Now that it’s almost fall, pumpkin, apple, maple and lots of other fall-flavored drinks have started appearing in cafes, restaurants and stores. One famous autumn drink is apple cider. In the north, some people heat apple cider and add spices. While hot apple cider may be too hot for Floridans, a good alternative is hard cider! Fortunately, there are plenty of places in the Tampa Bay area that make cider. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the tastes of fall! 

Green Bench Brewing Company

Green Bench Brewing was founded in 2013 and is St. Pete’s first production microbrewery with an on-site tasting room and beer garden. In 2019 Green Bench opened another tasting room next to the old one called Webb’s City Cellar. In this building is the new mead and cider production space. With a variety of ciders on tap, it’s a great date spot to sample different ciders and a beer or two. With two buildings, each with their own tap list, patrons will not have to worry about finding a drink. Check their calendar for fall events, like their Spooktacular Screamfest, to enjoy while you sip on a cider.

Photo Credit: Green Bench Brewing Company

Three Daughters Brewing Company

Also located in St. Pete, Three Daughters Brewing makes beer, seltzers and ciders. There is a tasting room on-site, but if you and your date would instead drink at home, 3 Daughters Brewing sells all over Florida. Currently, there are eight ciders on tap, including a key lime cider paying tribute to Florida’s state pie! Check out Three Daughter’s Facebook page before you go for an updated tap list.

Cigar City Cider and Mead

Cigar City Cider and Mead opened in 2014 and is focused on just cider and mead. Here, cider and mead are only brewed with Florida ingredients. It is the Florida equivalent of getting a fresh apple cider up north. All the ingredients are local and there is a wide selection of ciders on tap. Perfect for veterans and newbies alike. The Homemade Apple Pie cider is a must-try.

Cigar City Cider & Mead / Facebook

Tampa Bay Brewing

Tampa Bay Brewing is thinking out of the box on this one with their cider wings made with ale cider sauce! Perfect for those who would rather have a beer but still want to enjoy a cider-related food. 

Two Henrys Brewing Company

If you want a cider made from apples grown in the fertile land of Champlain Valley and processed in a Vermont cider mill, try the Mad Man cider at Two Henrys Brewing in Plant City. It will be the closest thing to having a Vermont apple cider. Two Henrys makes several different kinds of fruit cider for those who are not a fan of apples. There is also a large selection of seasonal beers that customers can check out as well. 

Photo Credit: Two Henrys Brewing Company

 

Photo Credit: Cigar City Cider & Mead/ Facebook
For more fall date and drink date ideas check out Have a Fall Date Florida-Style and Mini Brew Tour Date in Downtown Tampa!