I'll be making the drive from Chicago to Florida in October of 2017. Trying to plan my road trip as to hit up a few breweries on the way down or the way back. Although slightly out of the way I'm planning on Cigar City once in Florida. Any must stop breweries not too far off the beaten path on this trip? Anyone ever done it?
Out of the way from Orlando but J Wakefields(Miami), Funky Budha (Fort Lauderdal), Peg's Cantina (St. Pete), Cigar City(Tampa) are musts in FL. If you are going to CC then St Pete's is close. You should be able to get J Wakefields, Funky Budha in Orlando if you call around. I have seen FB on tap in Orlando. In GA if you can get to Athens, Creature Comfort is really strong as well...should be able to pick up in Atlanta bottle shops if you are taking I-75 and don't want the detour. Athens is a fun town though so worth it if you are looking for somewhere to stop. Sweetwater in Atlanta is solid as well. I haven't hit up anything in Tenn or Kentucky worth stopping at and I am guessing 3Floyds is too close for a stop for you in IN.
I'm sure you meant I-65. Deviate on the north side of Indy is a must stop. Country Boy in Lexington, KY if you're going that route.
On our recent trip to the Orlando area my wife and I really enjoyed Crooked Can in Winter Park, and The Hourglass in Longwood. We hit a couple of the Orlando breweries too but none were so outstanding to recommend them. You can read my reviews on both of the above places. For points in between IL and FL along your route, I can't suggest anything because I don't go that way to Florida. There is also a travel thread in the Southers regional forum that covers Orlando and the Tampa/St. Pete areas.
