BJ's set the standard for other breweries in Tampa, FL and boasts an impressive selection of handcrafted beers that have been recognized with numerous national awards and gold medals. Sample their award-winning beverages while enjoying a meal in the comfortable and contemporary eatery. The menu is substantial and features an extensive list of delicious options to choose from including shareable appetizers, deep-dish pizza, gourmet burgers and slow-roasted favorites. In addition, they have added a creative selection of healthy dining options. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a night of delectable food, spectacular beers, and friendly conversation.
Recommended for Breweries because: Located in the Citrus Park Mall, BJ's Brewhouse is a great spot to sit and relax after a day shopping and sample some homemade brews.
Skye's expert tip: Try an award-winning brew such as their signature Belgian-style wheat beer that took home 2010's North American Beer Award's Gold Medal.
Handcrafted brews are always on tap at this family-run microbrewery located in Centro Ybor. Within these walls, patrons clamor for the house and seasonal brews, cask-conditioned ales and specialty beers created by other independent breweries. The restaurant has a comfortable, welcoming ambiance with multiple bars and outdoor seating. During Happy Hour you can sample a flight of six house specialties for a single price. Once you've figured out what you like, go back for a full-sized serving of your favorite. If you need a little sustenance along the way, try out the authentic pub grub that features beer as a main ingredient.
Recommended for Breweries because: Tampa Bay Brewing Company is a popular brewpub and restaurant located in the heart of Ybor City with a great selection of house brews.
Skye's expert tip: Want to skip the alcohol? Try a satisfying glass of their handcrafted root beer. Guaranteed to please kids of all ages.
Ulele is a popular restaurant located on the northern end of Tampa's Riverwalk. The menu is inspired by the indigenous people of Florida and brings together fresh and local ingredients in unique flavor combinations. While the menu is changed seasonally, past examples include a deconstructed seafood pot pie, Yellowfin Tuna crusted with pumpkin seeds, and alligator hush puppies. To accompany the delicious dishes is a selection of hand-crafted signature cocktails and house-brewed beers. Housed in the renovated city water-works building, the restaurant could be described as rustic, industrial chic, creating an open and airy dining space. Outside dining options include a patio, beer gardens and rooftop lounge.
Recommended for Breweries because: Ulele features a variety of house-made craft beers served at their beautiful restaurant and beer gardens located on the Hillsborough River.
Skye's expert tip: It gets very busy, but you can skip the food line and go straight to the beer garden!
Downstairs, Rock Brothers in Tampa's historic Ybor City is a craft microbrewery, full-service bar and tasting room with house-made beers on tap and a full menu of craft cocktails. Upstairs is the Attic, a live music venue that has quickly gained popularity for the quality of the music and the comfortable intimacy of the space. Built on the unique combination of music and craft beer, Rock Brothers was formed to work with bands to create beer recipes and brands reflective of their music.Their first brand was created in partnership with local band "Have Gun Will Travel" and won a National Championship at the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC). Following a successful incubation period at Tampa's famous Cigar City Brewing, Rock Brothers moved into their new space and haven't looked back.
Recommended for Breweries because: Rock Brothers Brewery in Ybor City offers guests a taste of their unique, music-inspired brews in a comfortable tasting room with a music venue upstairs.
Skye's expert tip: If you're not a beer fan, Rock Brothers boasts a full bar and creative cocktail list.
Angry Chair Brewery is another new kid on the block giving the (slightly) more established craft breweries a run for their money. Founded by friends who decided that the corporate rat race was akin to an "Angry Chair," they have devoted their efforts to creating a selection of beers and a space to enjoy them where patrons can get away from their own angry chairs. With a cozy yet hip atmosphere and lots of seating, the tasting room is the perfect place to check out their signature German Chocolate Cupcake Stout and their Awakening Coffee Milk Stout. Located in craft brewery central, aka Seminole Heights, Angry Chair is taking their place in the neighborhood's burgeoning nightlife scene.
Recommended for Breweries because: Angry Chair Brewing is one of a host of new craft-breweries already gaining popularity in the hip Seminole Heights neighborhood.
Skye's expert tip: There is limited parking but they have partnerships with neighboring businesses - check their website for details.
The undisputed leader among Tampa's craft breweries, Cigar City Brewing prides itself on creating nationally prized craft brews on an intimate scale. There is a large, comfortable tasting room, perfect for checking out what's on tap and a great place to gather with friends. This brewery focuses on the art of craft brewing and offers a diverse selection of highly-rated brews, seasonal ales and stouts. Accompany your choice of beer with a selection from their menu that features Tampa-inspired favorites along with suggested beer pairings. There is also an on-site package and merchandise store where you can get your favorite beer to go and grab a souvenir tee.
Recommended for Breweries because: Tampa's Cigar City Brewing has won numerous awards for its great seasonal brews and features tours and a tasting room to relax with a pint.
Skye's expert tip: Cigar City is best known for their award-winning beers; Jai Alai IPA, Maduro Brown Ale, and Hunahpu's Imperial Stout.
Read more about Cigar City Brewing Spruce Street Brewery & Tap Room →
The Wild Rover Pub and Brewery gives you that authentic English Pub atmosphere with a brewery to boot. This family-owned and operated pub and brewery is located in the Tampa neighborhood of Westchase and specializes in British-style beer and cask ales. Their hand-crafted ales and lagers include popular brands such as the Let it ESB Special Bitter, the chocolatey Hello Lexie Lou American Stout, and the Sisters Belgian Ale to name a few. Settle into their tasting room and pair your brew with some traditional pub food including sausage rolls, shepherd'd pie, and chicken curry. The tasting room is also a great spot to get your British sports fix and listen to some live music on Saturday nights.
Recommended for Breweries because: The Wild Rover Pub is a family owned brewery featuring wildly popular English-style brews.
Skye's expert tip: A typical English pub, this is perfect spot to visit if you're a football (soccer) fan!
When you're out brewery hopping, you will have to add Coppertail Brewing to your list. This small brewery produces four popular core beers and a selection of seasonal releases. Sitting on the outskirts of Ybor City, Coppertail's tasting room features a casual atmosphere with hip eclectic décor that includes many fascinating pieces of Tampa history. They feature unique 20 beers on tap at any one time with brands that rotate regularly. If you're hungry, they offer a curated menu of upscale sandwiches, salads, and sharables. Coppertail is a solid Tampa brewery and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
Recommended for Breweries because: Coppertail is a popular brewery and tasting room located in Ybor City that serves tasty craft beers in a funky and friendly atmosphere.
Skye's expert tip: Brewery tours are first come, first served Thursday - Sunday afternoons for $7 and include a beer and a pint glass to take home.
Southern Brewing & Winemaking was the vision of husband and wife entrepreneurs, Kelly and Brian Fenstermacher. Serving the needs of Tampa microbreweries, brewpubs and home brewers since 2002, the business expanded to include a unique retail wine and beer making supply store, microbrewery, pub and beer garden. Brian, former head brewer for Ybor City Brewing, is the brewmaster and in addition to running the brewery, runs classes to help home brewers. Their pub serves about seven of their in-house brews as well as a selection of guest brews. Varieties of their in-house wine are also available. The retail/pub and outdoor seating areas are charming and comfortable.
Recommended for Breweries because: Located in Tampa's trendy Seminole Heights neighborhood, Southern Brewing & Winemaking creates a selection of in-house microbrews and wine varieties for visitors to enjoy.
Skye's expert tip: Perfect place for you to shop for your home brewing and winemaking supplies.
Six Ten Brewery receives rave reviews from locals for its great beer, comfortable, family-oriented atmosphere and friendly staff members. Located in an industrial area of Tampa, this is the read deal, and the small on-site brewery can be viewed from the simply decorated and unpretentious tasting room where you can gather with friends, play games, and enjoy a beer. They do not serve food, but food trucks are frequent visitors and you are welcome to bring your own grub. The beer selection includes house-made brews as well as guest taps and they will fill 32 and 128 oz growlers with tap selections.
Recommended for Breweries because: Popular with locals, Six Ten features a comfortable tasting room with views overlooking the brewing magic.
Skye's expert tip: Very dog-friendly! They even have their own brewery dog, Maggie.