It’s easy to have fun and keep active on Florida’s Sports Coast—whether that means kayaking through the mangroves at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, diving for scallops along the Gulf Coast, or riding your bike on the Suncoast Trail. And since nothing goes better with the sporting life than a cold beer, it’s no wonder that craft breweries are springing up all over the area.
Each brewery has its own particular personality and style, so you’re sure to find one (or several) that feel like home. Some might specialize in wheat beer, pale ales, or IPAs while others lean toward sours or brown ales; some are situated in charming downtowns or on a scenic lake; they might host a rotation of delicious food trucks or house a full-service restaurant. From craft breweries in the coastal town of New Port Richey to the rolling hills of Zephyrhills, there truly is something for everyone.
Take a ride along the Florida’s Sports Coast Ale Trail and get to know our beers—and our brewers!
1. Craft Life Brewing Company 6810 Tower Drive, Hudson 727-378-4530 craftlifebrewingcompany.com
Craft Life Brewing Company boasts 30 taps with most everything brewed in-house, such as their award-winning honey ale “Me So Jalapeño Honey,” fermented with candied jalapeños. The outdoor stage in their large biergarten hosts live music every weekend.
2. Dented Keg Ale Works 5500 Main St., Suite 104, New Port Richey 727-232-2582 dentedkegaleworks.com
This cozy craft brewery is tucked away in historic downtown New Port Richey in The Shoppes of Stonehaven at Main Street. Live music, trivia, bingo, and open mic nights add to the brewery’s fun atmosphere.
3. Cotee River Brewing Company, 5760 Main St., New Port Richey 727-807-6806 coteeriverbrewing.com
As the first brewery in the historic downtown New Port Richey district, they feature fresh beer brewed onsite as well as beers and ciders from other Florida breweries. Cotee River Brewing Company has six to 10 taps of its original and locally made brews at all times.
4. Infusion Brewing Co. 6345 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey. Opening soon.
5. The Liquid Garage Co., 1306 Seven Springs Boulevard, New Port Richey 727-645-5885 theliquidgarage.com
This automotive-themed brewery boasts a clean and inviting atmosphere, with all in-house-brewed lagers and ales. Besides a wide variety of craft beer, they offer wine, cider, and meads.
6. Escape Brewing Company 9945 Trinity Blvd #108, Trinity 727-807-6092 escapebrewingcompany.com
The owners “escaped” corporate life to pursue their passion for beer making. Now they take full advantage of their Florida location with award-winning brews like The Other West Coast India Pale Ale with its tropical fruit flavors; or Goofy Footed American Wheat Ale featuring citrus notes.
7. Big Storm Brewing Co., 2330 Success Dr., Odessa 727-376-2890 bigstormbrewingtaproom.com
Odessa is home to the production facility for Big Storm’s sour beer so there’s a great selection of sour beers to try. They’re known for their Florida-forward flavors, like Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, steeped with hibiscus flowers, or Bromosa Tangerine IPA, brewed with all-natural tangerine purée.
8. Welton Brewing Co. & Oyster Bar, 2624 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes 813-820-0050 weltonbrewingcompany.com
Welton Brewing Co. brings in fresh Maine oysters on the weekends, and serves up a variety of popular food trucks to go along with its craft beer. The two owners, who are cousins, keep it fun with live music, trivia contests, bottle share groups, and more.
9. In The Loop Brewing, 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes 813-997-9189 InTheLoopBrewingCompany.com
Fans of In the Loop rave about its scenic lakefront location on Lake Padgett and spacious biergarten. With great beer, food trucks, and live music, their goal is getting good people together for a good time.
10. Florida Avenue Brewing Co., 2029 Arrowgrass Dr., Wesley Chapel 813-452-6333 floridaavebrewing.com
The family-friendly taproom includes 16 draft lines as well as a full-service restaurant. Florida Avenue’s great-tasting beers are meant to accompany Florida activities like boating, golfing, or relaxing at the beach!
11. Double Branch Artisanal Ales 5956 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel 813-492-8800 dbaa.com
Located in The Grove shopping center, Double Branch Artisanal Ales features finely crafted ales and lagers made on site. In addition to craft beer, they have a curated selection of wines, ciders, and craft soda, plus a busy schedule of live music and events.
12. Zephyrhills Brewing Company 38530 5th Ave., Zephyrhills
813-715-2683 zephyrhillsbrewingcompany.com
This small-batch craft brewery prides itself on its creative variety of flavors, plus a laid-back atmosphere that is family- and dog-friendly. There’s a rotating schedule of food trucks and over 20 craft beers on tap.
13. Dade City Brew House 14323 7th Street, Dade City 352-218-3122 dadecitybrewhouse.com
This family- and dog-friendly brewery in the heart of downtown Dade City offers its own brand of beers, wines, and ciders. Dade City Brew House also hosts weekly events like trivia night and live music.
Calendar of Events — for foodies!
Pigs in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival
March
This annual festival boasts a family-friendly weekend of live blues music and a friendly barbecue competition in Zephyrhills. You can register for the cornhole tournament or just amble through the Shine & Swine Car Show.
zephyrhillschamber.org/bbq-blues
Loquat Festival
March
The sweet, juicy loquat flowers, fruits, ripens—and then it’s gone! Celebrate this distinctive local gem at a loquat festival in New Port Richey. Enjoy fresh loquat fruit, pastries, preserves, loquat trees, and more.
https://www.facebook.com/FloridaLoquatFestivalNewPortRichey/
Chasco Fiesta
Late March/Early April
Have fun in downtown New Port Richey while helping local nonprofits. This nine-day festival features concerts, parades, carnival, sporting events, local craft vendors, and food trucks.
https://www.facebook.com/chascofiesta/
Scallop Season
July
Grab your net, goggles, and snorkel and get in the water! Scallop season along Florida’s Sports Coast begins the third Friday in July and lasts for 10 days.
myFWC.com
Scream-A-Geddon
Late September/Early November
Fans of terror, screams, and goosebumps need look no further for their Halloween season thrills than this Dade City theme park of horror. Plus, Bonzo’s Beer Garden stays stocked with great-tasting local craft beers.
screamageddon.com
Kumquat Festival
January
On the last Saturday in January, people from far and wide converge on Dade City to celebrate the tangy-sweetness of these tiny orange citrus fruits. Don’t miss the Famous Kumquat Pie—or the kumquat ice cream, kumquat marmalade, or kumquat salsa! With over 275 vendors, plus a Quilt Show and a Car and Truck show, there’s plenty to do and see.
kumquatfestival.org
Crab & Shrimp Festival
Late February
There are so many ways to enjoy seafood at this event in Hudson: crab cakes, paella, Low Country boils, stone crab claws, lobster rolls, and more! Festival goers can also enjoy live bands and carnival rides during the three-day weekend event.
facebook.com/SunwestCrabandShrimpFestival/
