Big Top Brewing Company

Big Top Brewing CompanyBig Top Brewing Company
Big Top Brewing CompanyBig Top Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Beer-to-go

6111 Porter Way
Sarasota, Florida, 34232-6224
United States

(800) 590-2448 | map
bigtopbrewing.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.77
Beers:
98
Ratings:
700
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.04
Reviews:
6
Ratings:
31
pDev:
10.89%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SDean82:
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Rated by SDean82 from Florida

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75

Feb 20, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.84 by tonystanhope from Florida

Apr 04, 2022
 
Rated: 4.28 by Griphon from Florida

Jan 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.12 by Mxsluis from Michigan

Feb 05, 2020
 
Rated: 4.47 by gbiello from Massachusetts

Jan 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.8 by custiskid from Florida

Feb 02, 2019
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Reviewed by tvanvranken from Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
This is what a taproom should be, kind of small and intimate, dark and charming with a nice staff and great, diverse selection. I try to get there at least once during our winter trip down south.
Jan 09, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by oldbassman from Florida

Aug 03, 2018
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Rated by Heidvastag from Florida

4.72/5  rDev +16.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
One of my favorite in my area and has great events.
Jun 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.51 by tjcamm from Oregon

May 06, 2018
 
Rated: 4.35 by tcbro023 from Wisconsin

Mar 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.85 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Nov 25, 2017
 
Rated: 4.11 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Mar 13, 2017
 
Rated: 4.26 by scratch69 from Missouri

Dec 28, 2016
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Reviewed by Duhyack from Florida

4.65/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
Great atmosphere with some awesome beers! Love the Pumpkin Stiltskin for it's superb pairing ability to not over power the flavor of foods when enjoyed together. Absolutely recommend having it on Taco Tuesday or whenever Ri Quisimo is there! Can't wait to try the Decklin's Indulgence(Chocolate Peanut Butter Brown Ale)
Oct 21, 2016
 
Rated: 2.95 by SrqGatorDan from Florida

Aug 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.41 by mpc175 from Florida

Aug 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.71 by ukwildcat1995 from Florida

Jun 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.3 by MJSawyer from Minnesota

Mar 05, 2016
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Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

4.12/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
10 Miles south and east of the Ringling Museum sits Big Top Brewing in the shadow of Route 75. It's a small brewery with a small tasting room in a small industrial complex. As such there's no food, but I understand that there are occasionally food trucks. With that said it's a nice looking place inside. It's a little dark, but it's modern and nicely polished. Beers are $5 a pint and there are 11 on tap including a mix of IPAs, wheat beers, and something dark. They do a fair amount of unusual beers which seems to fit with their theme. The Key Lime Wheat is very popular, as is the Bacon Session IPA.
Feb 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.37 by LeftHanded666 from New York

Jan 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by TX-Badger from Texas

Mar 19, 2015
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Rated by ScottBodager from Florida

5/5  rDev +23.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Just a great local brewery with enormous potential! Even my wife loves it :)
Mar 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.9 by tommy5 from Michigan

Feb 28, 2015
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Reviewed by Andrew_Rios122 from Florida

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
Up and coming brewery. They have many great tasting beers on tap about 10 or so. I have tried about 4 of them my self and I have not found one yet that has disappointed yet. I would say the best one however is the ashley gang imperial IPA. If you're ever in the area check it out. You can even take a tour of the brewery itself on the weekends. I attend FSU in Tallahassee but when I return home for weekends or return home for break, my brother, father and i always stop by for a beer or 2.
Dec 18, 2014
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Rated by worussell3 from Florida

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%
Some nice beers and some misses typical of a young brewery.
Nov 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by mattreitz49 from Florida

Oct 07, 2014
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Reviewed by Beerfartz from Florida

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%
Beers I've tried @ Big Top

Raspberry IPA: Rich in color w/ subtle hints of raspberries. 3/5
Old Bay Porter: Java and pepper on the nose, rich dark color, but salty. 2/5
Circus City IPA: The flagship. Cloudy copper color, Florida citrus nose, subtle hops. 4/5
Pumpkin Ale: A decent attempt at a difficult brew. A bit understated for my taste. 2.5/5
Imperial IPA: A classic IPA. Hops galore, nice fresh aroma, and surprisingly strong! 5/5
Key Lime Wheat: A nice boutique beer! Medium bodied, fresh key lime scented, and so refreshing that I had more than 1. 4.5/5
Trapeze Belgian Wit: As the name suggests, it is a bit reminiscent of Belgian Trap. Having said that, it smells and tastes slightly "homebrewed". Fairly nice try at a Belgian Trap though! 2.5/5
Coffee Infused Porter: Not sure of the exact name of this one, but it was very good! Dark chocolate appearance w/ freshly brewed coffee and coriander notes. Great with your favorite cigar! 4.5/5

Big Top Brewing are fairly new on the Sarasota scene, and they are doing a fine job thus far! Recommended.
Oct 07, 2014
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Reviewed by PorterLambic from Florida

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Hiding at the back of a commercial/light industrial building at the dead end road next to the interstate, Big Top is trying hard and not afraid to admit mistakes. 3 blocks from the Cock & Bull, it certainly hits the "close to home" button. Their first three brews had a good one, a very good one and one that needed, and has been, redone.
The current crop includes a raspberry IPA, an Imperial IPA and a chocolate - ancho chili porter.
Service is friendly and prompt, well educated on the offerings and happy to suggest a brew.

Update (numbers have changed) :
Now with 13 taps, 12 of them their own, the selection has greatly improved. The "beta testing" of recipes appears to be a distant memory. Quality and consistency are vastly improved also.
Normally 6-8 core brews with as many as 6 rotating and a guest tap with a Florida brewery on.

3/2016
The improvements continue. The outdoor "biergarten" area is recently expanded, includes two gas fire pits for those cold, under 60°F nights in the Florida winter.
Local artists play several times a week and, most importantly, the beer is seriously good across the board.
Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by apurpura214 from Florida

Jun 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Notacraftdrinker from Florida

Jun 10, 2014
Big Top Brewing Company in Sarasota, FL
Brewery rating: 3.77 out of 5 with 700 ratings