These 6 sensational Florida Gulf Coast Craft Breweries offer creative small batch beer varieties, often infused with tropical flavors.
We highlight only six in this article but there are dozens of amazing Southwest Florida craft breweries. Please support any or all Florida Gulf Coast craft breweries, whether or not they are in this article. Let us know which ones you visit and like.
These Florida Gulf Coast craft breweries are listed from south to north, from Naples to Tampa. Drink responsibly, Gulf Coast friends.
Naples Beach Brewing
Naples Beach Brewing was the first craft brewery to open between Sarasota and Miami (in October 2012). Will Lawson, the Naples Beach brewer and owner/founder, honed his brewing skills in Munich and says their Line Dropper (with mango and ginger) put them on the map. I love the creative fruit flavors at this Naples FL brewery. Look for food trucks here Wed-Sun to accompany their two dozen taps.
Bone Hook Brewing, North Naples
The origin of Bone Hook Brewing was producing beer for Phelan Group—owner of the Pinchers restaurant chain and other properties. Bone Hook Brewing is now a large scale restaurant and the owner described it to me as “a brewery with a restaurant rather than an eatery with beer.” Located on Immokalee Rd, Bone Hook is only 2.5 miles from one of our favorite US Gulf Coast Sunset Spots (Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park).
Fat Point Brewing, Punta Gorda
Fat Point Brewing has been quenching the cravings of Southwest Florida craft beer lovers since the day after Christmas 2012. With a rotating inventory of small batch, hand crafted brews, Fat Point Brewing always has eclectic and standard flavors to satisfy all.
Motorworks Brewing, Bradenton
The luscious outdoor patio of Motorworks Brewing is dominated by the above phenomenal live oak tree. This is one of my favorite outdoor seating areas on the US Gulf Coast. And probably my favorite that is not waterfront. If that is not enough, Motorworks craft beer is fantastic. They were awarded two golds and the #3 brewery at the US Open Beer Championship. Their spicy and Belgian varieties are personal favorites.
3 Keys Brewing, Bradenton
First, I gotta say that 3 Keys Brewing has one of the best beer flight board design I have ever seen. But they also have great Florida Gulf Coast craft beer. With 18 beer taps, they have a fantastic variety of darks, lights, sours, IPAs, and seasonal varieties. And 3 Keys has a full kitchen so be sure to stop for lunch or dinner.
Cigar City Brewing, Tampa
One of Florida’s oldest and premier craft breweries, Cigar City Brewing has been producing delicious brews since 2009. Sample a large collection of flagship and specialty brews at the West Tampa location. Find high volume brews in the growler bar up front and more than 20 taps in the back bar—serving everything from the popular Jai Alai IPA to the high-end Bamburana Double-Aged Stout. Brewery tours and Cigar City gear are also popular with craft beer fans.
Text contributed by Julie McCool from Fun in Fairfax VA.
Other Tampa craft breweries we enjoy include Coppertail Brewing Co, Magnanimous Brewing, 7venth Sun Brewing, Angry Chair brewing, Tampa Bay Brewing Co, and Florida Avenue Brewing Co.