Visiting Tampa/Orlando? LOOK HERE FIRST!! Fall 2016 Update

On Hourglass, I've been going back here repeatedly since their day one Grand Opening, wanting it to thrive as it's very close to where I live. Personal opinion, their beers were terrible at the opening and I haven't seen much improvement in the three years since. However, I do think they've done a great job of marketing the new location with events, music, etc. and they offer a pretty solid selection of other beers to make it worth checking out. I went to the anniversary party couple of weeks back to try again, , and had the first beer I enjoyed that they brewed (sour IPA) so perhaps things are shaping up on their offerings.

It seems to me ever since opening the brewer wants to keep testing the limits of creativity, and what's been missing here is developing some good core beers. I think they're trying too hard with the rose petal beers and Roasted Sheep Head Gruits JMHO

 

Does Ten10 get really packed Friday & Saturday nights?

 

Just setting expectations, that's all. I live in Orlando, and have all of my life, so I'm faced with the reality of it as well. I remember going on road trips every weekend to Tampa just to get good FL beer. Our scene here is improving but still needs time and an outright front runner in the brewing game.

Being a resident I find my self hitting the great beer bars more than the breweries. If you want suggestions on those I recommend Redlight, Obivion and Gnarly Barley. The latter two also have great food.

 

Not only is redlight the best beer bar, but IMO it's brewing the best beer as well. Their sours and saisons are out of this world.

 

Their happy hour pricing plus Sushi Lola's delivery is hard to beat!

 

Any breweries sell kegs directly in Tampa area? I know Tampa Beer Works does, but feel this has to do with them being tied to a home brew supply store. Not sure how the law works.

 

Nothing illegal but some may just not prefer to do it. Some may not because they can't make enough for taproom or key accounts. While some may not do it because it would be one more thing to keep track of. They got enough headaches so just let the liquor stores handle the keg sales.

 

Anyone know if kids are allowed at the cycle taproom? Hoping to stop in for a bit tmoro, can't find anything saying if kids are allowed. Tried calling the taproom and got a recording.

 

They're allowed.

 

Awesome, thanks for responding

 

Ten10 is the brewer whose quality is constantly improving and they're experimenting with more "BA" popular styles and treatments. Ocean Sun makes some killer quality beers at a very high level, just most are in the styles that they enjoy brewing and not so much the NE Style IPA or kickass stouts that many of us look forward to.

I really wish some of the local breweries would experiment more with Gose and Berliner Weisse..... a well done Belgium tripel is nice, but when it's 100+ all summer its these styles I want to be buying by the growler full on a weekly basis.

 

Just south of Tampa is St Pete and Sarasota. In addition to what has been listed are some of my favorites. I live in Sarasota.

Beer Bars - Flying Pig, St Pete, 50 crafts on tap
Mr Beery's, Tap 72, Mandeville Beer Garden, Sarasota
Growlers - Craft Growlers to Go, Ranch Growlers to
Go, Sarasota
Breweries - St Pete - Piniellas Ale Works, Cage Brewing, Avid Brewing, Mastrys St Pete Beach
Sarasota area Breweries - Calusa, JDubs, Darwin, Motorworks
Bottle Shops Sarasota - Shortstop Market

 

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for that to happen ...

 

Understand. But the greater Tampa area includes Sarasota/ Bradenton. And there are a number of great breweries/beer bars etc opening there.

 

can anyone tell me where BCBS was released last year so I can possibly map it from the inlaws house to see which place might be my best option?

 

Odessa, FL

 

My in laws live in Sebring, and I found it at the ABC Liquor store there, it was just me and one other guy that morning. No variants though.