It doesn’t have to be Oktoberfest to enjoy a seasonal beer in Tampa Bay. In St. Petersburg, there are dozens of locally-brewed saisons, IPAs, and pilsners begging for your attention. Tasters are a great way to begin exploring each of St. Petersburg's best craft breweries.
You can also discover local craft beers in St. Petersburg and Gulf Beaches at Pour Taproom, Oak & Stone, the Ale & The Witch and Big Jim’s Steakhouse. So hop(s) to it: all aboard your bike, car, or even a Brew Tour with Thirsty Pelican, and be sure to bring the fun home in a growler or bottle!
Technically not a “local” craft brewery, it’s still one of my personal faves coming out of San Diego’s amazing beer scene like Ballast Point and Karl Strauss, especially since they design dishes with their beers and pour the amazing Brewhouse Blond and Oasis Amber.
Yes, it’s a bike shop, java pit stop, and craft beer fitness fanatic haven celebrating their two year anniversary October 2018 with new bottle releases of Stay Fancy and Oh My Goodness! Check out the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Start for a real kick-in-the-pants craft beer.
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The photo murals pay homage to Downtown St. Petersburg's aviation history in partnership with the St. Petersburg Museum of History. You can sip on the patio, the industrial-décor taproom, or in one of many spare, modern rooms perfect for a laid-back meeting, the legendary Wednesday trivia, night and kibbitzing over board games.
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Hosting cool community events and tastings, and with easy access to Red Mesa’s spicy Mex fare, best with their Green Bench IPA , a medium-bodied ale with aromas of soft citrus and earthy pine combined with a very subtle notes of tropical fruit, you’ll find some of the best saisons here like the dry, crisp “Green Bench Saison” with hints of citrus and peppercorns.
Make a beeline for John’s Pass Village for savory apps and refreshing and fruity (even gluten-free) beers and ciders, family-friendly games, lots of big-screen TVs, and live music. Some of their savory apps include tots poutine, gator bites, jerk chicken, and my favorite, the house-brined, roasted Pork Belly with crispy bacon, arugula, tomato, guava jelly, cilantro crema, and beer battered onion rings. Drink up, especially the Life’s A Beach Orange Blossom Honey Wheat Ale and tangy Dolphin Drool Dry Hopped American Pale Ale.
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This St. Pete Beach craft brewery evolved from an old Downtown St. Petersburg dive into the beach’s coolest hang-out with Wrangler Wednesday, a cruise night (last Tuesday of the month), and kicky events like the last Saturday Night Market with live music and food trucks. Mastry's Brewery is known for its beach style and old-world classics like the Bavarian Hefeweizen, and you can also enjoy house-roasted Evil Twin Coffee and cigars.
The former brewer for Rapp owns this craft beer establishment, and his sour beers, grunge Seattle décor, cheeky bartender, and exterior murals on 1st Ave. North in Downtown St. Petersburg is dive-hip with the most refreshing sour cherry and grapefruit beers. Genius!
This Seminole outlier serves some terrific small batch beers, especially dark. Food trucks, events, and more make it a convivial local hangout.
This craft brewery in St. Petersburg is a great spot to chill over some beers that taste like beer, and you can enjoy the Italian food from next door at Angelo's Grill & Bar.
This cavernous taproom and unassuming building houses a live music stage, quirky events like Silent Disco and Musical Bingo, food trucks, game rooms, and outdoor picnic tables in Downtown St. Petersburg's artsy 22nd Ave. Warehouse District. Stop in for a thirst-quenching Beach Blonde, then sip a flight for a seasonal craft beer.
Three cheers for craft beers and all of the craft brewery options we have in St. Petersburg! Get out and sample some of the best our area has to offer.
Find even more bars in St. Petersburg by registering on 727area, your free guide to the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area.
Cover photo courtesy of Unsplash
