The Bay Area is quickly becoming known as a mecca for craft beer aficionados, and between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, we now boast some of the best and most creative breweries in the entire country!
Ready to drink your way (responsibly, of course) around Tampa Bay? Scope out this handy list of some of your new favorite craft beer breweries in Tampa!
Best Breweries in Tampa for Craft Beer
7venth Sun Brewing - Tampa
Located in the heart of one of Tampa's most gorgeous historic neighborhoods, Seminole Heights, 7venth Sun Brewing was originally founded in Dunedin back in 2012. With a grand vision of innovating traditional styles by taking a brash new approach and utilizing the richness of tropical and citrus fruits that our area has to offer, this brewery succeeds mightily with its large and mouth-wateringly decadent selection of brews. The Graffiti Orange, an American wheat beer, and the Headbanger, an American IPA, are our current favorites on tap - along with the wicked good Zombie Killer mead.
Cigar City Brewing
Situated in the Westshore District, CCB's distinctive tasting room offers a stellar atmosphere as well as a wide selection of their practically world-famous brews. Cigar City revels in Tampa's rich heritage of Latin culture and tobacco manufacturing, creating distinctively local flavors in each of their products. Be sure to try Cigar City's newest, the Cucumber Saison - a refreshing farmhouse ale with notes of melon and lemongrass.
Fun historical note: in 1898, Teddy Roosevelt mounted his horse and set off for the Spanish American War from the very building in Ybor City that now houses Cigar City Cider & Mead, CCB's sweet younger sister.
81Bay Brewing Company
Founded by three native Floridians, 81Bay creates a variety of brews destined to delight the palate of even the pickiest craft brew fan. The oversized and welcoming 81Bay Brewing Company taproom on Gandy Boulevard is one of the most popular craft breweries in Tampa, features big screen TVs, beautiful murals by local artists, and fun games like ping-pong, cornhole, and pool. Bring a group and feel right at home while enjoying one of 81Bay's signature brews, like the Lightning Lager or the Sun Viking IPA.
Coppertail Brewing Co.
Another favorite Ybor City destination, this independently owned brewery and tasting room was named for a strange and fantastic sea monster that supposedly lives in the murky waters of Tampa Bay. Coppertail's taproom is an inviting combination of modern industrial and rustic flair, serving up a menu of tasty bites as well as flavorful, carefully crafted drafts, such as the Free Dive IPA, the Unholy - a Belgo-American Trippel style originally brewed by monks in the Middle Ages - and Night Swim, a chocolatey, robust porter.
Hidden Springs Ale Works
Hidden Springs is a hidden gem in Tampa Heights, another unique, historic neighborhood just steps from the Hillsborough River and only blocks away from Downtown Tampa. The mellow tasting room is open every day of the week and hosts a variety of special events, such as Yappy Hour Mondays and Run the Heights on Thursdays. Hidden Springs brews an absolutely delectable menu of expertly crafted beers, like the Peanut Butter Deja Moo, a spicy and decadent milk stout, and the Muppet Face Killah, a tasty Belgian pale with notes of Citra and Amarillo hops. A craft brewery in Tampa not to be missed!
Brew Bus Brewing
Not only does Brew Bus create their own finely made craft beers, like the Rollin Dirty (an Irish red ale) and the Last Stop IPA, they also host SUPER FUN public and private bus tours of Tampa's best breweries and bars. Hop on the popular Sunday adventure tour, the Local Loop, for only $10 and enjoy an air-conditioned and entertaining day-long jaunt to some of the area's most enjoyable establishments. The Brew Bus can also be booked for private parties and corporate events, and the Bus' in-house Eatery serves up finger-licking bar snacks like BBQ pork nachos, cheese curds, and a duck confit quesadilla that's to die for.
3 Daughters Brewing
This "adult playground" is St. Petersburg's largest brewery and was founded on a passion for craft beer and dedication to family and community. Ty Weaver, the Head Brewer at 3 Daughters, has a background as a successful chef and a pioneer of innovative recipes, and he's created some interesting taste combinations that make for delicious beer. The 3 Daughters Tasting Room in the Grand Central District of St. Pete is loaded with games and has a full schedule of social events like trivia, yoga, and bingo. Try the Bimini Twist IPA, the light and refreshing Beach Blonde, or one of their specialty ciders or hard seltzers.
Cycle Brewing
One of Downtown St. Pete's most beloved craft breweries, Cycle Brewing pours a collection of expertly crafted brews that are sure to satisfy. Open seven days a week on Central Avenue, the Cycle taproom welcomes visitors with delightful new favorites like The Dude Porter, Freewheel IPA, and the Fixie American IPA. You know the craft beers are tasty at Cycle - the crowds for their new releases can wrap around the building!
Green Bench Brewing Company
Named for the famous green benches that once lined the St. Pete downtown sidewalks, this brewery in the EDGE District serves as a gathering place for both locals and tourists. With lovingly crafted brews served in the intimate tap room or the expansive beer garden, Green Bench is the perfect place to relax with family and friends, enjoy some lawn games in the sunshine, or just enjoy a cold one in peace.
Don't miss out on tasty beverages like their award-winning Saison de Banc Vert, a French farmhouse style ale, the Greenhouse Double Stout, or Demens' Black IPA - named for one of the legendary founders of St. Pete.
Big Storm Brewing Company
Big Storm is one of the fastest growing independent breweries in Florida with tap rooms in Clearwater, Odessa, and Cape Coral. Founded in 2012, this brewery's ingenious offerings have been winning tons of awards ever since - including the 2016 Best Florida Beer Championship for their Oktoberfest Marzen Lager. Utilizing fresh local ingredients like citrus fruits and wildflower honey, Big Storm's flagship beers - Arcus Southern Pale Ale, Palm Bender Gulf Coast IPA, Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, and Wavemaker Amber Ale - are refreshing and crisp, and perfect for enjoying all year round.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Want to try beers that bring you to Flavortown? Guy Fieri visited Ybor City and Tampa Bay Brewing Company in 2017 and he approved! With more than 12 homebrewed beers on tap, this is a place where you can get to know which beers you like and don't like. Try one of their beer flights and get to know your taste buds! Do you like IPA's, Blonde Ales or a dark brew like Guinness? Find out when you visit Tampa Bay Brewing Company!
Zydeco Brew Works
Ah, the new kid on the block. Zydeco Brew Works is an industrial-chic hangout for craft beer, cocktails & New Orleans-style eats, from po'boys to gumbo. They brew 12 of their own local craft beers and these bubbly bottles are packed with flavor! Try one of their Tried N' True, Wildlife or Dark Side brews that are crafted right there in Ybor City! Some of their fan favorites are Easy Rider Red, Drop Top, Bail Monkey, and Old Geezer brews!
Angry Chair Brewing
What's your angry chair? Everybody has one. It's either work, school, traffic or anything that just sets you off! Come to Angry Chair Brewing to blow off that steam and get away from your angry chair! With almost 100 different locally crafted brews, there are 92 reasons to let that anger slip away. Come into the tasting room, grab a flight and let your taste buds be free to explore the variety of craft beers! Some of their most popular are the 3 Little Birds, Barrel Aged No Promises, Cucumber Lime Gose and Purple Puffs brews.
Rock Brothers Brewing Company
Rock Brothers Brewing has one goal in mind: to unite craft beer and music to support great artists, great beer and even greater fans. So if you're looking for a brewery that throws one heck of a party, Rock Brother's is the perfect place for your taste buds to explore the many kinds of beer that they have to offer. Their list of artists consists of JJ Grey, 311, and Hootie and the Blowfish! So come down and rock out with local craft beers on tap!
Bay Cannon Beer Company
One of Tampa's newest craft breweries is the Bay Cannon Beer Company where they serve up really unique flavors in an open and spacious brewery for all of their guests to enjoy. They encourage all that haven't been by yet to stop it to explore new flavors of their craft beers!
Tampa Bay is in the center of a craft beer renaissance, so get out there and taste it today with this handy list of the best breweries in the area!
Keep checking 813area and 727area for the latest in local brews news ... see you soon!
