Tampa’s current growth is anchored to its reputation as a creative and ever-evolving beer hub where brewers are supported by open-minded chefs and beer enthusiasts.
Inspired by the traditional south central Mexican sauce, which can contain up to 20 different ingredients, brewers across the country are putting their own unique spins on mole-inspired beers—and the public can’t get enough.
What does the recent series of small brewery mergers mean for the companies involved? And more importantly, what does it say about the future of craft brewing?
Since starting in 2012, Scott Hedeen’s passion project—a nanobrewery tucked into a small industrial park in northern Georgia—has been invited to events like Chicago Beer Week and Hunahpu’s Day at Cigar City.
Droughts force California brewers to reevaluate water sources; Southeastern politicians seek to reinforce three-tier system; Shanghai beer festival spotlights China’s growing craft scene; and Cigar City’s Joey Redner on Hunahpu’s snafu.
Brew Hub’s first brewery partners look forward; New York City’s beer industry angered over suggested beer tax increase; two Massachusetts nanobrewers join forces; Hindu advocate criticizes Asheville Brewing over Shiva IPA; and Maine breweries join Brewers for Clean Water.
Even with talented brewers like Funky Buddha and J. Wakefield cranking out creative, quality beers, it takes passionate consumers to make an area’s beer scene sing. And South Floridians are fully embracing the craft beer movement.
Founded by several former Anheuser-Busch InBev executives, Brew Hub’s plans include opening five facilities throughout the United States, and with more than $100 million of venture capital being poured into the company, many beer advocates are questioning just how craft-oriented Brew Hub will be.
When Florida’s Cigar City Brewing and Michigan’s B. Nektar Meadery decided to brew a s’mores-inspired Braggot, the label concept was quick to follow. The bears represent the ingredients in a loose sense—bears love honey, and they’re roasting marshmallows.
During the day, Doug Dozark runs production for Cigar City Brewing. And when he’s not working the production line, he’s in Gulfport, Fla., churning out beers in 35-gallon batches for the family restaurant.
Wayne Wambles of Cigar City was a cook before he was a brewer, and he applies the lessons he learned in the kitchen to the brew kettle. Now, the young Tampa brewery is taking Florida by storm.
Put in a little work and a bit of forethought, and scratch beneath the surface. If you do, you’ll find a beer scene that’s quietly burgeoning. It’s been an organic growth, and it’s about to take the rest of the country by surprise.
Drummond Brewing returns to Alberta; Cigar City Brewing shares brewing concepts; Budweiser vs. Budějovický; Rogue saves the Dragon; All-cask brewery opens in Oregon.
Stop lurking! Stay logged in to search, review beers, post in our forums, see less ads, and more.
