FAQs on Beer in Florida

I really enjoy this forum. I like discussing local topics with people and help others out where I can. But like myself others must be noticing the number of repeated questions over and over in regards to beer in Florida. Maybe it happens to our friends in the Carolinas, Virgina and Georgia too on this board.

So I have taken it upon myself to write up this FAQ in relation to beer in Florida. Maybe we can get this as a sticky on this sub section (I don't know if anyone but the brothers have that power). Maybe someone from other states can write up something similar. And maybe this can be a helpful tool to those that are planning on visiting Florida.

Q: I'm visiting Florida and want to know what I can get that I can't get in [insert state here].
A: Florida is an awfully big state. This answer can differ greatly depending on which part of the state you are visiting. You can visit seekabrew.com for a general idea of things distributed in Florida but there are somethings that are not distributed through the whole state. For example, Cigar City puts out some beers that you can only get at their tasting room or only in the Tampa market. Some breweries are only in Total Wines (Flying Fish, Clown Shoes, Knee Deep, Laughing Dog).

Q: I want to get some Funky Buddah stuff while in South Florida. Do they bottle or do growler fills?
A: Just a note, it's Funky Buddha and as of right now, no they do not bottle or do growler fills. They are in the process of opening a production facility that will be opening sometime in the spring/early summer. They will do growler fills there and small bottle releases from time to time. But if you are going to the brewpub in Boca Raton then it is draft only and on premise only.

Q: I'm heading to the Keys, where can I get some good beer.
A: In the way of bottle shops, you are aren't going to find much. Grocery stores and a few convenience stores will have some of your main line stuff but don't expect any hidden gems. As for bars it really depends on where in the Keys you are going. Key West has a number of good craft spots (The Porch, Krawl, the Cafe just to name a few) while the middle to upper Keys are a little sparse. One spot I like in Key Largo is called Sharky's. Nothing out of this world but solid craft offerings.

Q: What bottle shops should I visit?
A: This again depends where in Florida you are visiting but Florida has a metric shit-ton of Total Wines. In most of your densely metro areas you are probably no more than an hour away from one. If you are in the Tampa area you also have Lueken Liquors. In Orlando is Knightly Spirits. Miami has Sunset Corners. All great independent bottle shops.

Q: Can I bring my own growler to one of the local breweries/brewpubs to get filled?
A: This is a few part answer. First, if it is a 64 oz growler then no. Currently it is illegal for anything between 33 oz and 127 oz to be filled with beer in Florida. Most breweries will fill 32 oz and 1 gallon growlers. Secondly, brewpubs can not fill growlers. Laws prohibit them from filling growlers. Lastly, it is to the establishments discretion if they wish to fill outside growlers that are the legal size. Some will, some won't.

Q: Does Cigar City distribute Hunahpu's?
A: Nope.

Q: What breweries/brewpubs should I visit when I am in [insert city or area here]?
A: I would say do as many as you can. Support our local economy and breweries. The Brewers Association as a pretty good list of breweries and brewpubs on their site (go to http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/directories/find-us-brewery then select Florida from the drop down) and they also list the ones that have deals for AHA members.

I hope this is a good start and maybe others have FAQs that they wish to add to this. Again I just want something that can be helpful to a lot of people.

 

Right now we are pricing out a few options for packaging and are thinking probably 3rd quarter of this year. But in the meantime we have 32 oz and 1 gallon growlers at the brewery. Right now we have 10 beers on tap. All but one of those are available for growlers. That one that's not is on nitro and that's why. There are a couple that we only do 32 oz fills on though.