March Madness, the start of spring, St. Patrick’s Day. There are lots of reasons to look forward to March.
And I would argue there’s no better month for all you vacationers, snowbirds and remote workers to take a break from the beach and enjoy one of the many microbreweries that grace the area in and around Ponce Inlet and Anna Maria Island.
Is there any better way to support your local community while staying at a Sandy Beach Vacay unit? Brewery owners put their heart and souls into providing a great product (who doesn’t love beer?) and a fun and relaxing experience for their customers.
Take the Dunes Brewery in Ponce Inlet. Twenty-five years ago, University of Florida students Michael Benedict, Bobby Zitzka and Chris Thompson dreamed up the idea of owning a brewery while they were still in school. Today, the coastal brewery, built on the historic dunes between the Atlantic Ocean and Halifax River, features a 4,000-square foot taproom that includes two bars with six craft brews on tap, a terrific wine selection, and popular champagnes, seltzers, and ciders. If you’re into games, you can play the Mandalorian Pinball, the Simpson’s Game, Hockey, 720 State or Die Arcade and two shuffle boards.
New Smyrna Beach Brewery is another local favorite, famous for beers like the Inlet Amber Ale, (the first one offered by the brewery when it opened it doors), the Pontoon Pilsner, Black and Blue Sour and a Shark Attack ale that boasts an attack of citrusy hops with a clean finish. It even offers a Chocolate Cake Imperial Stout, brewed with lactose and cocoa nibs – like having chocolate cake in a mug.
Ormond Brewing Company is the first craft brewery in Ormond Beach located in the Railroad District. With 18 delicious craft brews on tap and produced on site, the brewery sources all of its local ingredients in Ormond Beach. You can also buy wine by the glass in an establishment that prides itself on being both kid and pet friendly.
On Anna Maria Island, it’s worth visiting the Motor Works Brewery, which boasts the largest beer garden in Florida, complete with a spacious deck built around a150+ year-old oak tree. If games are your things, you can spend time on the brewery’s lawn playing cornhold, bocce ball and life-sized Jenja. Then there’s Connect Four, a large Live Music stage featuring eclectic bands and artists weekly, plus a 22 ft. projection screen for viewing films or sporting events. And speaking from experience, the beer is amazing, too!
Over in neighboring Sarasota, the Big Top Brewing, was opened when its owners realized there were no craft breweries in the Sarasota area. The brewery complements the historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture, the best art and design schools and its world-renowned tourism. Its artisan craft beers offer an experience you won’t want to miss in this unique venue.
And let’s not forget the 3 Car Garage Brewing, which offers small-batch brews like Beer Can Island Tropical Lager, a beach beer named after a local hangout, Junakawoo Blonde, a Bahama-inspired ale, and Jawa Juice, a chai-spiced milk stout that took the top prize at the 2022 Stout Wars competition! This well-known establishment lets you rummage in its game cabinet, hosts live events and partners with local food trucks to provide a casual, fun experience for anyone looking to break away from the winter blues.
So, whether you’re looking to create a new experience for your date, celebrating a holiday or planning a pub crawl with friends, micro-breweries are a wonderful way to break into spring.
Hope to see you there soon!
Sandy