I am heading to Florida next month, more specifically Panama City Beach, for a family vacation. While I am there, I want to take the opportunity to try some of the beers that are unavailable to me here in the Midwest. 1. What beers should I look for while there? What are some beers I absolutely need to try while I am there? (The only one on my list so far is Jai Alai). 2. What are some fairly easy to get beers I should try to bring back home with me? I will be able to carry some, not a ton, but at least a couple of packs. What is easy to find and where can I find it in Panama City Beach? I appreciate any guidance anyone can provide on this. Thanks in advance!
The panhandle is quite far from CCB, but like you said Jai Alai is a good one to snag. Also, you may be able to find Florida Cracker, Invasion, Maduro, and Hotter than Helles in your local grocery stores.
You may find CCB stuff up there in stores. I'd also think that you could find Intuition Ale Works stuff in cans at a decent bottle shop up that way. Intuition (Jacksonville) and Proof Brewing (Tallahassee) both make good beer that is more likely to be distributed (particularly for on-site consumption, i.e., on tap) that far along the Panhandle than some of the other stuff that we see in distribution (on tap or in cans/bottles) here in Central Florida. I'd be surprised if you didn't see Terrapin or SweetWater (both out of Georgia) or maybe even some Alabama stuff (which we don't get) in Panama City.
I will piggyback on this thread for my question.... I am also going to be vacationing in Panama City this August. Destin is my families normal destination, and i know of all the good spots there to get my Cigar City, Hopping Frog and other good crafties. Are there any good Craft stores or Bottle shops in Panama City proper? If not, I guess I will be stopping in Destin on the way into panama and on the way home. Thanks for any help!
All of the good Florida stuff doesn't sit for long. Most of it is brewery only stuff anyways. Good luck. You may find some Cubano Espresso sneaking into stores. Caffe Americano will be hitting FL distro as well but I have no idea when that will happen.
Cigar City is widely available in the Panhandle, even at Publix supermarkets. Craft Bar in Destin and the wine shop next door (in Destin Commons on Highway 98 where the mid-bay bridge road intersects) will have a good selection of Florida, Georgia and Alabama beers.
I've seen Jolly Ollie by CCB out at Total Wine and more in the Tampa area. I'm sure if there is a Total Wine in the panhandle that they would have it on the shelves.
Tocobaga availability is so finicky lately. Not sure why. Cost of citra hops maybe? Last few times I've been at the brewery they haven't even had it and I never see it in stores anymore.
I'm thinking that you should. Another nice place to go is Tampa Bay Brewing Company. I really like that iron rat stout.
Awesome feedback guys! Plenty I have put on my list to look for, many I had never heard of before. Thank you!
I will be down there about mid month, 11th through the 15th. Unfortunately I won't have anything big to trade. I don't hunt too much big stuff, just want to partake some of the best shelf stuff that everyone enjoys, but that I can't get up this way. Thanks for the offer though!!!
In PCB check out Qwiker Liquor and Wine World in Pier park North. The latter has the Craft Bar attached and their tap list is excellent. Qwiker has a bar inside each location too and has some great stuff on draft. Growlers available there and at the Craft Bar/Wine World you can get 32oz crowlers.
Jumping on this one myself...heading to Disney 6/13. I've been a million times and had the Jai Alai and Maduro since they're both available on property, but I'll have a car this time. Looking for recommendations on a great craft/bottle shop near Disney or Universal to stock up on stuff to bring home. Also, some recommendations on what to keep my eyes open for in that area available this time of year. Thanks very much in advance!
Aaaaaaand cancel this again. Looked a little deeper and found there are already quite a few threads addressing this very question. Sorry guys, newbie here.
Knightly Spirits on Orange Blossom Trail is the best liquor store I've been to near Disney if you have a car. Tons of stuff that we don't get here or at least never really see. If you don't have a car We Go Shop or something similar can deliver decent choices (I asked for and got a case of Jai Alai on one recent trip). On property has gotten pretty decent too. Top of the World Lounge, Raglan Road, Be Our Guest, Swan and Dolphin and all of the Deluxe resort bars and restaurants and pool bars(especially at the Grand Floridian and the Dolphin) have very decent beer selections. Via Napoli has some interesting Italian selections. Epcot also has a Unibroue beer cart in Canada, Germany has some nice cart selections and near test track there is a Racer 5 cart that are all nice on the go options. Check out the beers and ears site/app(http://beersandears.net/). Universal is a little less exciting but the Cowfish Sushi Burger bar is at least decent. For off site bars/ restaurants http://www.thegnarlybarley.com/ is very cool.
