Florida’s brewery scene has grown significantly over the past decade, transforming the state into a vibrant hub for craft beer enthusiasts. Breweries across Florida offer more than just great beer; they provide engaging visitor experiences, including tours, tastings, and special events that make them popular tourist destinations. Here’s an overview of some notable breweries in Florida that offer tours and are known for their visitor-friendly atmospheres:
1. Cigar City Brewing (Tampa)
- Overview: One of Florida’s most famous breweries, Cigar City Brewing is known for its rich heritage and award-winning beers like Jai Alai IPA and Maduro Brown Ale.
- Tours: Offers guided tours of their production facility, providing insights into their brewing process, the history of the brewery, and tastings of their flagship and seasonal beers.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom features an extensive lineup of craft beers, including special releases and limited editions. The brewery frequently hosts events, beer-pairing dinners, and beer education classes.
2. Funky Buddha Brewery (Oakland Park)
- Overview: Located near Fort Lauderdale, Funky Buddha is known for its innovative and bold beer styles, such as Maple Bacon Coffee Porter and Floridian Hefeweizen.
- Tours: Offers guided tours that include a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, tastings of core and specialty beers, and discussions about the creative inspiration behind their unique flavors.
- Visitor Experience: The spacious taproom has a fun, relaxed atmosphere with games, live music, and an in-house kitchen offering creative dishes that pair well with their beers.
3. Wynwood Brewing Company (Miami)
- Overview: Miami’s first craft production brewery, Wynwood Brewing, is located in the vibrant Wynwood Arts District, known for its colorful street art.
- Tours: Provides guided tours that explore the brewery’s operations, showcasing how they produce their award-winning La Rubia Blonde Ale and Pop’s Porter.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom features a rotating selection of beers and is often filled with art installations, reflecting the brewery’s strong ties to the local art community. Special events include art walks, live music, and beer release parties.
4. Coppertail Brewing Co. (Tampa)
- Overview: A craft brewery located in Tampa’s historic Ybor City, Coppertail Brewing is known for its whimsical branding and diverse beer lineup, including the popular Free Dive IPA.
- Tours: Offers behind-the-scenes tours of their brewing operations in a beautifully restored industrial space, highlighting their brewing philosophy and craftsmanship.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom blends vintage and modern aesthetics and offers a large selection of beers on tap. It also features a restaurant that serves craft beer-inspired dishes.
5. 3 Daughters Brewing (St. Petersburg)
- Overview: One of the largest breweries in St. Petersburg, 3 Daughters Brewing is known for its laid-back vibe and wide variety of beers, from Beach Blonde Ale to experimental fruit ciders.
- Tours: Offers guided tours that provide insights into the brewing process, along with tastings of their diverse beer offerings.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery is family-friendly and features a large tasting room with games, live music, and food trucks, making it a lively destination for visitors of all ages.
6. Florida Beer Company (Cape Canaveral)
- Overview: One of the oldest breweries in the state, Florida Beer Company is located near the Space Coast and produces a range of Florida-inspired beers, including Key West Sunset Ale and Florida Lager.
- Tours: Offers educational tours showcasing the brewing process and the history of the company. Visitors can sample a variety of beers, including seasonal and limited editions.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom offers a relaxed setting with views of the brewery floor. The location is perfect for visitors heading to or from the nearby beaches or Kennedy Space Center.
7. First Magnitude Brewing Company (Gainesville)
- Overview: Located in Gainesville, First Magnitude is known for its environmentally conscious approach and community involvement, producing beers like Drift English Mild and Vega Blonde Ale.
- Tours: Offers tours that emphasize sustainable brewing practices, including water conservation efforts, along with tastings of their locally inspired beers.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery hosts numerous events, including yoga classes, trivia nights, and charity fundraisers. Its pet-friendly beer garden is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
8. Proof Brewing Co. (Tallahassee)
- Overview: As the largest brewery in Tallahassee, Proof Brewing Co. is known for its creative and well-balanced beers, such as Eightfive-0 Pale Ale and Mango Wit.
- Tours: Provides guided tours of their state-of-the-art brewing facility, giving visitors a chance to learn about the brewing process and sample freshly brewed beer.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery features a large taproom, outdoor beer garden, and hosts frequent events, including live music, food trucks, and special beer releases.
9. Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville)
- Overview: Swamp Head is a Gainesville-based brewery with a strong focus on sustainability and local ingredients, producing beers like Big Nose IPA and Stump Knocker Pale Ale.
- Tours: Offers guided tours highlighting their green brewing initiatives, including solar power and water recycling efforts, along with tastings.
- Visitor Experience: The “Wetlands” tasting room offers a cozy setting with views of the brewery’s operations, and the outdoor patio is a popular spot for enjoying Florida’s natural scenery.
10. Big Storm Brewing Co. (Multiple Locations)
- Overview: With several locations across Florida, Big Storm Brewing is known for its approachable beers, including Wavemaker Amber Ale and Tropic Pressure Florida Ale.
- Tours: Each location offers tours that showcase the brewing process, focusing on the use of locally sourced ingredients like citrus and honey.
- Visitor Experience: The taprooms feature extensive beer selections, local food options, and host regular events such as beer and food pairings, trivia nights, and live music.
Conclusion:
Saltwater Brewery (Delray Beach)
- Overview: A brewery with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, Saltwater Brewery is known for its coastal-themed beers like Screamin’ Reels IPA and Sea Cow Milk Stout.
- Tours: Offers guided tours that emphasize their eco-friendly brewing practices, such as their biodegradable, ocean-friendly six-pack rings.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery has a welcoming beer garden with food trucks, live music, and events supporting ocean conservation efforts.
12. Motorworks Brewing (Bradenton)
- Overview: Set in a historic auto dealership building, Motorworks Brewing is known for its extensive lineup of award-winning beers and its lively outdoor beer garden.
- Tours: Offers behind-the-scenes tours showcasing their brewing operations, highlighting their most popular beers, such as Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA.
- Visitor Experience: Features the largest beer garden in Florida, complete with a stage for live music, games, and a fun, vibrant atmosphere.
13. Due South Brewing Co. (Boynton Beach)
- Overview: A veteran-owned brewery, Due South produces a wide variety of approachable beers like Caramel Cream Ale and Category 3 IPA.
- Tours: Offers informative tours of their production facility, covering the brewing process and their commitment to quality.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom is spacious and industrial-themed, with frequent food trucks, trivia nights, and community events.
14. Islamorada Beer Company (Islamorada and Fort Pierce)
- Overview: Known for its tropical vibes and island-inspired beers, Islamorada Beer Company is a favorite in the Florida Keys and beyond.
- Tours: Offers brewery tours at their Fort Pierce location, showcasing the production process behind their popular beers like Sandbar Sunday and Islamorada Ale.
- Visitor Experience: The taprooms have a laid-back, beachy atmosphere, with games, live entertainment, and the perfect setting for enjoying island life.
15. Crooked Can Brewing Company (Winter Garden)
- Overview: Located in the Plant Street Market in Winter Garden, Crooked Can is known for its craft beers that range from High Stepper IPA to McSwagger’s Own Amber Ale.
- Tours: Offers brewery tours that provide insights into their brewing techniques and sustainability practices.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery is part of a vibrant marketplace with various artisan vendors, making it a great spot to enjoy a beer while exploring local food and crafts.
16. Intuition Ale Works (Jacksonville)
- Overview: A popular brewery in Jacksonville, Intuition Ale Works is known for its innovative approach to brewing, including popular beers like I-10 IPA and Jon Boat Coastal Ale.
- Tours: Offers guided tours that include tastings and a look at their environmentally friendly brewing operations.
- Visitor Experience: The rooftop bar provides stunning views of downtown Jacksonville, making it a great place to relax after a tour.
17. Ocean Sun Brewing (Orlando)
- Overview: A friendly neighborhood brewery in Orlando known for its casual atmosphere and diverse beer lineup, including Bumby Blonde Ale and Duppy Conqueror Porter.
- Tours: Provides tours of their small-scale brewing operation, offering a personal and educational experience for visitors.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom is community-focused, with games, local food options, and regular events such as yoga and trivia nights.
18. Oyster City Brewing Company (Apalachicola)
- Overview: Located in the small town of Apalachicola, Oyster City is known for its beers inspired by the Gulf Coast, including Hooter Brown Ale and Mangrove Pale Ale.
- Tours: Offers tours that delve into the brewing process and the local ingredients used in their beers, reflecting the flavors of the coastal environment.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery has a laid-back vibe with a strong connection to the local fishing community, making it a unique coastal destination.
19. Dead Lizard Brewing Company (Orlando)
- Overview: A small, family-owned brewery in Orlando known for its funky vibe and inventive beers like Komodo “KoKo” Dragon Chocolate Stout and Orange Sunshine Wheat.
- Tours: Provides personalized tours where you can meet the brewers, learn about their creative process, and sample unique brews.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom is colorful and artistic, often hosting art shows, live music, and community events.
20. Wicked Barley Brewing Company (Jacksonville)
- Overview: Located along the waterfront, Wicked Barley is known for its inventive beers and picturesque setting.
- Tours: Offers tours of their brewing operations, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how they create beers like Eradicator Doppelbock and Left Leg Lager.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery features a spacious taproom, outdoor seating with views of the water, a boat dock, and a full kitchen serving beer-inspired dishes.
21. Green Bench Brewing Co. (St. Petersburg)
- Overview: Named after St. Petersburg’s historic green benches, this brewery is known for its innovative approach to traditional beer styles, including saisons, IPAs, and barrel-aged sours.
- Tours: Offers informative tours that include insights into their unique brewing techniques, especially their focus on barrel aging and mixed fermentation.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery features an inviting beer garden, a spacious taproom, and a dedicated space for barrel aging and sour beers, often hosting art shows and community events.
22. M.I.A. Beer Company (Doral)
- Overview: A Miami-area brewery that reflects the city’s vibrant culture through bold and colorful branding and beers like Miami Weiss and Mega Mix Pale Ale.
- Tours: Provides behind-the-scenes tours that include tastings and a look at their modern brewing facility with a focus on local ingredients and Latin-inspired flavors.
- Visitor Experience: The brewery taproom is a lively space with arcade games, murals, and frequent events such as DJ nights and food pairings.
23. Cycle Brewing (St. Petersburg)
- Overview: Known for its high-quality stouts and barrel-aged beers, Cycle Brewing is a popular destination for craft beer aficionados visiting St. Petersburg.
- Tours: While smaller than some breweries, Cycle offers personalized tours that give insight into their brewing process, especially their famous stouts.
- Visitor Experience: The cozy taproom is located in the heart of downtown, offering a variety of limited releases that attract both locals and tourists.
24. Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour & Brewery (Orlando)
- Overview: Originally a beer bar, Redlight Redlight evolved into a brewery known for its dedication to old-world brewing styles, including farmhouse ales, sours, and barrel-aged beers.
- Tours: Offers guided tours that delve into the brewery’s focus on traditional brewing methods, spontaneous fermentation, and barrel aging.
- Visitor Experience: The space is rustic and intimate, with a large selection of house-brewed beers and guest taps, creating a relaxed and educational environment.
25. Legacy Caribbean Craft Brewery (Hialeah)
- Overview: This brewery blends Caribbean influences with craft beer, creating unique and culturally inspired brews such as El Hefe Weizen and Pastelito Guava Wheat.
- Tours: Provides tours that highlight the brewery’s fusion of Caribbean flavors with traditional brewing techniques.
- Visitor Experience: The vibrant taproom reflects Caribbean culture with colorful decor, live music, and themed events that celebrate the community.
26. Bold City Brewery (Jacksonville)
- Overview: As one of Jacksonville’s pioneering craft breweries, Bold City is known for its approachable and locally inspired beers like Killer Whale Cream Ale and Duke’s Brown Ale.
- Tours: Offers tours that provide a behind-the-scenes look at their brewing process, history, and commitment to the local community.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom is friendly and welcoming, often featuring live music, food trucks, and community gatherings.
27. Tampa Bay Brewing Company (Ybor City and Westchase)
- Overview: A family-owned brewery that has been a staple in the Tampa Bay area since 1995, known for its hop-forward beers like Reef Donkey APA and Old Elephant Foot IPA.
- Tours: Offers guided tours at its Westchase production facility, showcasing the brewing process and tastings of their wide variety of beers.
- Visitor Experience: Both locations feature full restaurants with pub-style food, lively atmospheres, and a focus on pairing dishes with their craft beers.
28. Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. (DeLand and Orlando)
- Overview: Known as “Florida’s Weirdest Little Brewery,” Persimmon Hollow creates beers that reflect their quirky and creative spirit, including Daytona Dirty Blonde and Beach Hippie IPA.
- Tours: Offers tours that provide insights into their small-batch brewing process and creative approach to craft beer.
- Visitor Experience: The DeLand location is a historic building with a cozy atmosphere, while the Orlando location is modern and vibrant, both offering regular events and local art showcases.
29. Big Top Brewing Company (Sarasota and Gainesville)
- Overview: Big Top pays homage to Sarasota’s circus heritage with themed beers like Trapeze Monk Belgian-Style Ale and Circus City IPA.
- Tours: Provides brewery tours that include tastings and a glimpse into the creative brewing process behind their circus-inspired beers.
- Visitor Experience: The taprooms are filled with circus memorabilia, games, and frequent live music, creating a fun, family-friendly environment.
30. Orlando Brewing (Orlando)
- Overview: As Orlando’s only certified organic brewery, Orlando Brewing is committed to producing high-quality, eco-friendly beers like Blonde Ale and I-4 IPA.
- Tours: Offers free tours Monday through Saturday that cover their organic brewing practices and tastings of their core and seasonal beers.
- Visitor Experience: The taproom often hosts live music, yoga, and educational events, emphasizing a community-oriented atmosphere.
Conclusion:
Florida’s diverse range of breweries offers more than just great beer—they provide immersive experiences that showcase local culture, creativity, and community spirit. Whether you’re exploring tropical-themed taprooms, historic spaces, or vibrant urban settings, Florida’s breweries offer something unique for every visitor, making them must-visit destinations on any Sunshine State adventure.