What better way to bond with your significant other than over a pint of beer? Well, it’s officially a good time to be a beer lover in Tampa as the city is home to some of the best breweries in the state.
Tampa not only houses some of the best breweries, but we’re also responsible for the start of the brewing industry in Florida. Vicente Ybor and Edward Manrara started the Florida Brewing Company (originally Ybor City Brewing) in 1896 and became the first brewery in the state. They closed their doors in 1961 but the six-story brick building that originally housed the brewery still stands as the tallest building in Ybor today. While Florida Brewing Company no longer exists, Ybor still has its fair share of incredible breweries.
There are not only some awesome breweries around the Tampa area, but also in the surrounding areas as well such as Dunedin and St. Pete.
From IPAs to pilsners to unique brews (Fluffernutter beer, anyone?), here’s a list of some of our top picks for breweries you need to visit in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Westchase: 13937 Monroe’s Business Park, Tampa, FL 33635
Ybor: 1600 E. 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Beer is Your Friend. That’s the slogan at Tampa Bay Brewing Company (TBBC) and they have quite an array of beers on the menu so that there’s something for everyone. This multi-award-winning brewery has two locations – Ybor and Westchase and is family owned. From their signature beer, Reef Donkey APA, to their seasonal brews like Gourds Gone Wild, their brewers are constantly coming up with unique styles and flavors to make even the pickiest beer drinker say “ahhh.”
In addition to their extensive beer menu, they also have a mouthwatering food menu with items like Cheese & Ale Dip, Drunken Shrimp, Brewhouse Burger, pizzas, and more. Fun fact: their meatloaf was featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!
Be sure to follow their Facebook page for new beer releases and info on events like their annual Badass Beer Fest and Oktoberfest.
Coppertail Brewing Co.
2601 East 2nd Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Coppertail’s vibe combines old world Tampa with today’s taste in beer. Though their beers are modern, their decor itself is worth the visit. Their bar foot rail is an old, unearthed train rail, their bar is created out of wood from the original Arturo Fuente cigar building, and there are unique pieces of Tampa history sprinkled all around.
Some of their most popular brews include the Free Dive IPA, Unholy Belgian Trippel, and Night Swim Porter. You can find plenty more beers on tap plus a recently added food menu of apps, sandwiches, and bowls.
Cigar City Brewing
Spruce: 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, FL 33607
Amalie Arena: 375 Channelside Dr, Tampa FL 33602
Tampa International Airport: 4100 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa, FL 33607
Home of the well know IPA, Jai Alai, Cigar City Brewing dreams up excellent beer. Beer geeks and brew novices alike will enjoy this well-known brewery. Cigar City produces flavors meant to represent the sensibilities and ingredients of Florida so you can look forward to some surprising flavors.
For those wanting a more refined beer experience, you can join their El Catador Club, their members only barred-aged beer club. Membership gives you access to special bottled brews like bourbon barrel aged stout and calvados and apple brandy barrel aged barleywine style ales.
You can visit Cigar City at one of their three taproom locations – Spruce Street (original location), Amalie Arena, and Tampa International Airport. Their Spruce Street location also offers a full menu of apps, salads, and rice bowls.
Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
Tampa: 4315 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
Wesley Chapel: 2029 Arrowgrass Dr., Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Now with the addition of the new location in Wesley Chapel, the brewery offers a refreshing array of beers like the Sunset Vibes Guava IPA, You’re My Boy Blue Blueberry Wheat Ale, Dead Parrot Light Lager, and more.
In addition to their beers, they also pour seltzers, wine, ciders, and a full liquor bar. They do have a food menu that offers small plates, handheld, and salads. Make sure to stop in for Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm for $5 select beers, $6 wines and well drinks, and $10 Pint & A Plate (draft beer and food special of the day).
Angry Chair Brewing
4101 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
If you want a super cool vibe in a small setting, Angry Chair Brewing is for you. This particular brewery is known for their stouts and their creative and forward thinking brewing style. Although it’s small, the collection is anything but that with constant tap rotations with everything from barrel aged stouts to Berliners and pale ales.
They’ve recently added a new kitchen menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and tacos. Stop in Monday through Friday for happy hour from 3pm-6pm to enjoy $4 select pints, $6 nachos, wings, or Royale (house burger). If you’re looking for something unique, make sure to stop here.
Southern Brewing & Winemaking
4500 N. Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
It’s not just beer that makes Southern Brewing unique – it’s also the homebrewed ciders, meads, wines, kombucha, and sodas on tap. If you’re in the mood for a beer, they have a long list of brews from light, to hoppy, malty, sour, and dark. Non-beer drinkers will appreciate the Raspberry Peach Sangria, Blackberry Ginger Seltzer, or the Citrus Mango Slushie.
Another unique element of Southern Brewing is their homebrew section. For beer lovers wanting to learn how to make their own craft brews, Southern Brewing has an extensive supply of homebrewing equipment and can guide future brew masters in the right direction.
7vth Sun Brewery
6809 N. Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
7vth Sun Tampa is larger than their original location in Dunedin but carries on the same traditions of experimenting with tropical flavors. 7vth Sun focuses on innovating traditional styles so that you and your date will try something you’ve never experienced before. Something else they’re notorious for? Their unique names. Sip on their Watermelon Meet Cute, Black Hole 7un Berliner Weisse, or their Banshee Tea Party Fruited Sour to name a few.
Hidden Springs Ale Works
1631 N. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602
If you’re looking for some truly unique and funky inspired beers, look no further than Hidden Springs Ale Works. In addition to your regular styles like stouts, ales, and IPAs, you can find beers inspired by favorite snacks like fluffernutter sandwiches, German Chocolate Cake, and Disney’s famous Dole Whip.
Hidden Springs is located on Franklin Street and has extensive to-go options as well as beers on tap in their tasting room.
Brew Bus
Get ready for the ultimate craft beer experience! Hop on one of their beer tours which take you to visit local craft breweries around spots like Seminole Heights, Ybor, and Downtown Tampa while sipping on some of Brew Bus Brewing’s own crafted beers along the way. Want to head to a Rays game? Take a ride on their Rides to The Trop with round trip transportation to Cigar City, two beers on the way, and a ticket to the game. They also have themed tours like Christmas and holiday rides.
They also offer private tours in their 19 to 23 passenger busses as well as annual passes for beer lovers to ride year-round.
Zydeco Brew Works
1902 E. 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Zydeco brings a New Orleans-inspired vibe to the heart of Ybor City. Their menu includes a variety of styles such as pale ales, lagers, stouts, and lagers. They also have rotating styles on tap along with some amazing craft cocktails. Nosh on come Cajun-style food while sipping beers in a dining room with windows straight into the brewery.
Follow them on Facebook for upcoming live music and events. This is a stellar spot to catch live jazz performances. Coming soon: Zydeco will be opening a second Tampa location at MOSI.
Six Ten Brewing
7052 Benjamin Road, Tampa, FL 33634
Six Ten Brewing’s laid back spot offers an extensive menu of perfectly crafted brews. Try something sweet like their 613 Red Velvet White Stout or the Honey Belgian Dubbel or go for something savory like the House Bitter or Elderberry Crumble Sour Ale.
On Wednesdays, stop in for their Gourmet Grilled Cheese Nights or head over on Thursday to play Bingo while you sample some brews.
Big Storm Brewery
Odessa: 2330 Success Drive, Tampa, FL 33556
Ybor: 1600 E. 7th Ave, #2, Tampa, FL 33605
One of the fastest growing independent craft breweries in Florida, this brewery is dedicated to great beer. They have two Tampa locations in Odessa and Ybor and have also expanded to Clearwater, Orlando, and Cape Coral.
Big Storm uses local ingredients like citrus and wildflower honey to create brews like their Bromosa Tangerine IPA, Sunny Key Lime Wheat Ale, and Palm Bender IPA. They also have a full food menu as well as regular events like Saturday morning yoga, trivia nights, and annual Oktoberfest.
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