Visit Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada for Delicious Craft Beer

Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada was the first production brewery in the Florida Keys. Now there are two—the other being Waterfront Brewery in Key West— but we suggest saving the two-hour drive to Key West and stop in Islamorada for amazing Florida Gulf Coast craft beer at Florida Keys Brewing Company.

Craig and Cheryl McBay founded Florida Keys Brewing Company in 2012 and the full production facility opened in January 2015. The new and current Florida Keys Brewing tasting room opened at the end of March 2018 and is one of the most fun places to visit in Islamorada.

Where To Visit Florida Keys Brewing Company

The Florida Keys Brewing Company (FKBC) tasting room is located at 81611 Old Highway in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Just a block away, at 200 Morada Way, is the Florida Keys Brewing Co. brewing facility. Stop in the tasting room first but note that some events may occur down the street.

Florida Keys Brewing Company is located 79 miles from Miami airport and also 79 miles from Key West airport. We love that perfect synchronicity. Driving in the Florida Keys is one of our favorite Florida scenic drives.

What beers are on tap at Florida Keys Brewing Company?

Find 20 draft craft beer on tap all the time at Florida Keys Brewing Company.

Three core beers are always available at Florida Keys Brewing Co., Cheryl McBay told me. They are Sun Session IPA, Spearfish Amber, and Iguana Bait. Typically 10 other taps there house specialty craft beers and the rest are seasonal brews.

craft beer list at Florida Keys Brewing Co.
craft beer list at Florida Keys Brewing Company

Iguana Bait is the most popular beer at Florida Keys Brewing Company. Iguana Bait is a Kölsch infused with an intoxicating blend of honey and hibiscus. It is absolutely perfect for those hot tropical days in the Florida Keys.

Other popular selections at Florida Keys Brewing Co include Smelly Butt IPA and Run Aground Brown. Run Aground Brown was the first beer ever made at Florida Keys Brewing Co. and Smelly Butt IPA is is a refreshing pineapple IPA.

This is a good time to mention that Florida Keys Brewing Company uses no extracts. Passionfruit, tamarind, mango, pineapple, etc., comes from nearby Homestead. Lyon Farms in Homestead, for instance, is their source for mangoes.

Where Florida Keys Brewing Co. gets the honey for Iguana Bait varies; they order as much as they can get from sources in the Florida Keys and Homestead.

What is the most popular Florida Keys Brewing Company beer other than Iguana Bait? Cheryl told me those would be Spearfish Amber, Runaground Brown (first beer they ever made), and Smelly Butt IPA. During my last visit, I enjoyed the specialty brew with toasted coconut added to the classic Run Aground Brown.

If you try the Queen of the South (a vanilla cream ale) note that it is aged in tequila barrels from Reina del Sur tequilery in Mexico. Reina del Sur means Queen of the South!

For the current tap list at Florida Keys Brewing Company, click here.

Florida Keys Brewing Company Vibe

Your first exposure to the Florida Keys Brewing Company experience will probably be in their fun tasting room. The tasting room is brightly decorated with tropical and tie dye patterns, designs, photos, and more. Take a seat at the bar, one of the nearby tables, or grab your order and head to the beer garden.

Florida Keys Brewing Company Islamorada tasting room
20 craft beers always on tap in Florida Keys Brewing Company Islamorada tasting room

Florida Keys Brewing Company is one of the most cool and fun US craft breweries and you cannot help being happy here. Smile, Mon, you are in paradise.

Craft beer sample flights are served on brightly decorated flight boards; which are for sale (I have one and it is one of my favorite #USGulfCoast souvenirs).

If the tasting room is too packed, head to the outstanding outdoor tropical garden space. There are tables of various sizes to accommodate groups of all numbers. Bring a friend or several, enjoy the cool vibes, pat the guard kitty (Purr Monster has her own Instagram account), and get some suggestions and tips for the remainder of your Florida Keys vacation from friendly locals and visitors.

Florida Keys Brewing flight
Florida Keys Brewing flight

One of the tropical decorations onsite is this direction sign post, featuring some of the owners’ favorite craft breweries. Are any of your favorites listed?

favorite craft breweries of FL Keys Brewing owners
favorite craft breweries of FL Keys Brewing owners

Some special events may be held in the production facility and original taproom, just a block up Morada Way. The murals inside the production facility were created and donated by local Morada Way artists. It is so wonderful how residents and businesses here collaborate!

Florida Keys Brewing Co. production room
Florida Keys Brewing Co. production room

On the third Thursday of every month, Morada Way Arts & Cultural District’s Art Walk closes the surrounding streets from 6-9pm. Be inspired by (and support) local musicians, artists, chefs, and small business owners.

Do you have a favorite Florida Keys Brewing Co. staff member? Here are the FKBC staff bios.

Florida Keys Brewing Company Major Events

While every day is a reason to celebrate at Florida Keys Brewing Company, there are three major annual festivals. Plan your visits accordingly.

  • Presidents Day weekend is the Florida Keys Brewing Company anniversary and is a “huge, huge deal,” Cheryl told me. The iguana races are insanely popular and they are monitored and managed by the local humane society. The brewery donates proceeds from anniversary weekend to the humane society. A specialty craft beer called Big Dick is only available on anniversary weekend; it is an imperial stout aged in Jack Daniels.
  • 4/20 is the second annual event to look forward to and FKBC throws a big festival. In 2022, over 500 blank shirts were purchased for the tie dye party.
  • Oktoberfest is another huge event for the FKBC family, friends, and followers.

The major events and other initiatives throughout the year generate a lot of attention and money. Craig and Cheryl and the FKBC family do a ton of sponsorships and donations. Cheryl told me that they are “all about Seas or Fleas”—supporting organizations focused on the ocean and gulf waters and groups loyal to cats, dogs, etc.

One of Cheryl’s favorite sponsorships is with MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (in Sarasota) to help protect ocean reefs. FKBC is one of 15 Florida craft breweries participating in MOTE Lab’s Sharktoberfest on October 1. And they will also donate $2 from select six packs sold and $1 from drafts to MOTE.

Check the online calendar for other events such as Happy Hour, brewery tours, and musical artists (live music is hosted every night).

Food Options at Florida Keys Brewing Company

There are two food trucks at Florida Keys Brewing Company, offering food seven days a week.

Tacos Jalisco operates a vibrant and popular food truck in Key Largo and here at FKBC is their second food truck. Amazing tacos and burritos! Tacos Jalisco is open 11am-8:30pm every day except Sunday.

On Sunday at FKBC, another food truck called A Moveable Feast offers Keys cuisine with European flair. Try a German pretzel, pierogi, scampi grilled cheese (mmm!), or shrimp tacos (in case you miss the taco truck!).

Where To Buy Florida Keys Brewing Company Beers?

If you cannot get down to Islamorada, Florida Keys Brewing Company distributes cans and kegs up to Fort Pierce. Look for them in restaurants, Total Wine, and select grocery stores (check Publix locations around Fort Lauderdale up the Treasure Coast). Check here for a listing of places to find FKBC kegs and cans in stores, restaurants, and more.

More Florida Keys Brewing Company Information

You can stay in a vacation rental apartment on top of the tasting room. How amazing is that? Learn more about the beer and bed two-bedroom apartment here. I stayed there for a fantastic week which included Morada Art Walk and St. Patrick’s Day events. A very festive week.

Another fantastic nearby place to stay in Islamorada is the super gorgeous relaxed luxury resort, Casa Morada.

Follow and learn more about Florida Keys Brewing Company on their website, and Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Yelp pages.

See also Sensational Florida Gulf Coast Craft Breweries and US Craft Beer Places.

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