Florida trip

I wouldn't wish Sweetwater beers on anyone. Not even a Redsox fan. We've got MUCH better stuff around here.

 

Ahh, don't hate on Sweetwater! They make good beer! But there are better, more local brews around I would recommend. For Ft Myers there is Ft Myers brewing Company, which I haven't been to or heard much about but it is there. Cigar City is fantastic and on the way up, if you take the I-275 route there is a whole trail of great breweries (though I would hit RAPP and CCB if only two). There is a Total Wine right beside CCB that you can pick up some a nice variety of local brews at (including sweet water and Terrapin).
Have fun in Sarasota!
Cheers!

 

I'm not sure about what's distroed in Mass and what isn't. In Sarasota, visit the ABC on Bee Ridge and the one on University and also Total Wine for bottles to bring back. For good beer bars hit Mr. Beerys and The Beer Box. When in March are you going to be here? The 8th through the 16th is Tampa Bay Beer Week with lots going on: tampabaybeerweek/events. gjoker was right about the Tampa/St. Pete are being awash with breweries. Totally agree with him on Rapp and CCB being musts, and you should also add on Cycle.

 

You should send me a msg when you get to the Sarasota area. Will help you find some bottles or good places to stop depending on current offerings. Sometimes I can be helpful at digging up some older CCB bottle offerings...

 

yeah, there will still probably be some black ash and southern slice laying around... maybe even a couple winter warmers.

 

All those plus the Gentleman's Club trio at Bee Ridge ABC. Will be plenty of High Seas. Might be some white oak Jai Alai and Cubano Espresso floating around.

 

Also there is a Whole Foods Grocery store on the other end of the Shopping plaza where the the Total Wine is at( Home Depot/ directly in front of the CCB) that often has some good selections of Craft last time I was there. Worth a look while you are there.

 

Hey everyone. I also will be heading down to Naples the last week in March to visit the Grandmother-in-law and will be taking a trip up to Tampa one day to do some breweries. This is the list I have together so far. Are there any I am missing that I should not miss or any on this list not worth going to? I appreciate your help.

Starting at Cigar City, Lunch at Tampa Bay Brewing, Florida Ave Brewing, Green Bench in St Pete heading back down and then finally JDub's Brewing and Sarasota Brewing.

 

Skip Florida Ave, JDub's and Sarasota and hit Cycle and Rapp.

 

Yeah 100% agreed. If you feel like you need to take a driving break in Sarasota for a couple beers, stop at Beer Box and Mr. Beerys. Beer Box has all Florida taps all the time.

 

^^^ what these guys said.

 

what everyone above me has said.

 

Yeah, skip Florida Brewing. Glad to see Tampa Bay Brewing on your list, they often get overlooked but have great beer and even better food!
You could even try to squeeze Cajun Cafe on the Bayou into the list. They have all Florida taps and you can get 7th Sun, Rapp and others there if you can't make it out to each brewery.

 

Thanks everyone. Tampa Bay Brewing was on the list for the beer and a lunch stop. Looks like I need to stop into Rapp. Is Cycle new? Not much information on them anywhere I can see.

 

Gotta say TBB wasn't the best food experience for me. Ordered a Cuban, bread was warm and toasty, meat was ice cold! Cigar City Brewpub on the other hand has top notch food, sodas, and beer. Never a bad experience.

 

Cycle is Peg's production facility and taproom.