SUNSHINE AND SUDS

Get the Big Pitcher with Southwest Florida’s Craft Brews

BY DAVID SIBILA

Sun seekers have long flocked to Southwest Florida for the relaxed vibe, soul soothing beaches, surprising history, charming avenues and wandering waterways. Now, suds seekers have become a common sight among the area’s collection of seaside cosmopolitans in search of handcrafted brews. Popping up all over this region is a bubbling collection of craft breweries and taprooms, adding local flavor by the barrel. So, what’s your pleasure? We’ve gathered the ultimate list of must-stops for visitors looking to quench their thirst with local flavor. Line up your designated driver and let’s hop to it!

BIG TOP BREWING COMPANY, SARASOTA

Inspired by Sarasota’s circus legacy, Big Top Brewing Company puts on a big show with multiple locations throughout the area. Several of their tentpole brews include the Circus City IPA, Trapeze Monk Witbier and the Hazy Highwire. The ringmasters of this brewery don’t run a threering circus. They take pride in infusing local flavors with the city’s history. Standouts like the Hawaiian Lion, a coconut coffee porter and Conch Republic Key, a lime wheat ale, have reshaped how craft beer is enjoyed in Sarasota. bigtopbrewing.com

FAT POINT BREWING, PUNTA GORDA

Taking its name from the English translation of Punta Gorda, Fat Point Brewing features several award winners from the 2019 Best Florida Beer Championships, including gold winner, Bru Man Chu and silver winner, Ryeght Angle. Recognized as Charlotte County’s first craft brewery, Fat Point’s flavors embody harborside living with a core lineup

This page: Beer fans line up at Fort Myers Brewing Company. Opposite page: Big Top Brewing Company bites and sips.

of tropical and fruity brews, which include Big Boca Ale, Cape Haze Fruited Wheat Ale and their popular Hoppin’ Harbor Tropical Pale Ale, with hints of mango, orange and lime flavors. fatpoint.com

SCOTTY’S BIERWERKS, CAPE CORAL

In 2017, homebrewer-turned-master brewer Scott Melick opened his industrial-sized craft brewery with big dreams on the horizon. Located in Cape Coral, Scotty’s Bierwerks serves up seven national awardwinning brews including the Oatmeal Stout—2019 Gold Winner in the Best Florida Beer Competition. The expansive brewhouse is a comfortable hangout for beer lovers and those who want to play lawn games indoors. Rounds of cornhole are played adjacent to Scotty’s 20-barrel brewing system, which is the largest in Southwest Florida. When you stop in, be sure to say hello the Scotty’s mascot, Brewmaster the cat. scottysbierwerks.net

POINT YBEL BREWING COMPANY, FORT MYERS

Named after the Gulf Coast’s first lighthouse that was originally lit in 1884, Point Ybel Brewing Company has become a beacon of continuously changing small-batch brews in Fort Myers. For German-style beer lovers, it’s practically Oktoberfest year-round with their collection of golden pilsners and crisp kölsch. Head Brewer & Co-Owner Jordan Weisberg draws his ingredient inspiration from the nearby beaches, including his flagship IPA, Snook Bite, a well-balanced IPA with hints of citrus and passion fruit aroma and flavor. One sip and you’ll be hooked! pointybelbrew.com

Opposite page: A selection of beer from Big Top Brewing. This page, from left: A sunny day at Fort Myers Brewing; pulling the perfect pour at Point Ybel Brewing Company.

FORT MYERS BREWING COMPANY, FORT MYERS

Voted “Best Large Brewery in Florida,” Fort Myers Brewing Company has grown from a simple 1,500-square-foot brewery into a vibrant 16,000-square-foot entertainment venue. Founders Rob Whyte and Jen Gratz-Whyte also have big plans for expansion on a 22-acre parcel of land next door. With eight primary beers on tap, they’re most well known for their Russian Imperial Stout, which won silver at the World Beer Cup in 2018. They also offer seasonal and small-batch creations. No matter when you visit, expect something big to be brewing. fmbrew.com

COASTAL DAYZ BREWERY, FORT MYERS

Located only a hop away from the historical winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Coastal Dayz in downtown Fort Myers brews up tasty beers with a laid-back vibe. Serving up sixteen beers on tap, the selection here features Gulf water-inspired flavors blended with traditional ingredients. Their Seaz the Day IPA features intense citrus flavor with hazy bitterness. This is the perfect stop while riding bikes or taking a scooter tour through this historic vacation destination. coastaldayzbrewery.com

RIPTIDE BREWING COMPANY, BONITA SPRINGS

This Naples original has expanded into the former Momentum Brewhouse located in Bonita Springs. In this considerably larger space the momentum continues to grow for the three brew master friends who began their beer-venture not long ago in a man cave. The recipes are based on the themes that have made Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches world-famous. Their most popular, Porpoise Party IPA, blends citrus, tropical and floral aromas with a slightly hoppy bitterness. It’s the best way to enjoy an extra kick after a long day of surf and sun. riptidebrewingcompany.com

NAPLES BEACH BREWERY, NAPLES

Known for their wide variety of beers on tap, Naples Beach Brewery is Southwest Florida’s original microbrewery. Here, up to 35 housebrewed beers are featured at one time. Owner Will Lawson is a true brew master, having studied the trade at the prestigious Siebel Institute in Chicago. Local favorite Latitude Adjustment is their mainstay IPA, but this brewery is always creating new styles beer fans can’t find at other Florida breweries, including the Peanut Butter Cup Stout, The Ol’ Raspy Raspberry Brown Porter and the Guava Grove Bavarian Wheat. naplesbeachbrewery.com

BONE HOOK BREWING, NAPLES

“Three engineers walk into a bar” is how the story of Bone Hook Brewing in Naples begins. Several years later and the doors opened to one of area’s most delicious brewpubs. The science of beer takes the front seat, with recipes developed with an engineer’s precision. Bone Hook takes its cues for its brews from the region’s fishing history. Stir things up with a pint of their Wicked Seas Hazy IPA or take a nostalgic trip back to the days of speakeasys with their popular Dapper Dan IPA. bonehookbrewing.com

MARCO ISLAND BREWERY, MARCO ISLAND

Our southernmost stop takes us to a local brewpub where beer and food options are plentiful. Marco Island Brewery is small on the brew side with only three in-house brews—the Pelican Pilsner, Tigertail Red Ale named for popular Tigertail Beach on the island, and The Rock IPA. But they make up for it 40 beers on tap from other breweries. Kick back and soak in the island vibes of this local favorite. marcoislandbrewery.com