As Florida weather heats up, Gainesville and Alachua County’s award-winning craft breweries offer the perfect oasis to cool off with ice-cold craft beer, live entertainment and a taste of local culture.
Sip your way to your next favorite beer. Cruise through the area’s craft beer crawl with help from the map below.
While on your craft brewery journey, sample the award-winning beers that have been recognized at the prestigious Best Florida Beer annual competition and the World Beer Cup (look below for “AWARD WINNERS”). And remember to try the revolving special, seasonal and limited releases – there are some really delicious beers being created on a weekly basis!
All the Alachua County breweries host weekly entertainment. You can watch a live band one night, play trivia the next, or find yourself in a Harry Potter costume while enjoying a beer and watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on a big screen.
And don’t forget the food! All Gainesville, Alachua County breweries have delicious food options, whether it is from a specialty food truck or off their menu.
Before beginning your journey, we recommend checking the individual brewery webpages and social media sites for upcoming events and what is on tap, the links are provided below. Or, check the featured events and brewery section in Visit Gainesville, Alachua County What’s Good event guide.
Blackadder Brewing Company
618 NW 60th St., Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32607
View their tap list online at BlackadderBrewing.com
Taps at the Blackadder Brewing Company microbrewery feature a rotation of guest beers, wines, cider and craft sodas. The cozy old-world atmosphere compliments the Belgian inspired tap list. Grab small bites from their food menu or something more robust from a visiting food truck.
Blackadder Brewing Company prides itself on being a friendly and welcoming environment. Patrons can order a beer, grab a game off the shelf and gather others to join in the fun. Or, check out their Facebook page for the next trivia night, bingo, or themed event.
AWARD WINNERS: GOLD for Warm Cockles, Field Beer, SILVER for Katie’s Restless Palate Saison
Big Top Brewing Company
201 SE 2nd Ave. #101, Gainesville, FL 32601
See what’s on tap at BigTopBrewing.com
Big Top Brewing Company’s identity is shaped by its hometown of Sarasota with its history of The Ringling Circus. Find core beers like Circus City (IPA) and special releases like Jo Jo the Clown (Fruited Sour). Big Top also features an in-house kitchen with food pairings like Daredevil Totchos (smoked pulled pork served ‘over tots topped with queso, pickled onions and jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, chipotle crema, and Cotija cheese), and Buffalo Cauliflower.
Make sure to join in the Big Top fun at one of their higher energy entertainment events like Salsero Saturdays or Drag Brunch Sundays. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for what exciting event they will be hosting next.
AWARD WINNER: BRONZE for Hawaiian Lion Coconut Porter
Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
1001 NW 4th St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Click here to see what’s on tap at Cypressandgrove.com.
Named after the intersection of historic streets in Gainesville, Cypress & Grove Brewing Company is housed in the old Gainesville Ice Factory which was located on a rail line. The railroad is now part of a network of bike paths, making the brewery a natural stop for those pedaling by. Pair a pint of one of their crisp brews with bites from the kitchen or from an onsite food truck.
Cypress & Grove is home to the fantastic weekly Grove Street Farmers Market held in the outdoor C&G Meadow. We recommend ordering a beer then browsing through the vendors selling fresh vegetables, local provisions and hand-made goods. Take a look at their Facebook page to see what the upcoming event is next!
AWARD WINNERS: BRONZE for American Wheat Ale
First Magnitude Brewing Company
1220 SE Veitch St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Visit fmbrewing.com/beer to see the list of special releases and year-round beers.
Named after the brightest stars in the sky and highest flowing freshwater springs, both reflected in their logo, First Magnitude Brewing Company has gained national recognition for their outstanding craft beers.
They believe in doing their best to help the local community and environment which is the base for many of their annual large events such as the Clean Creek Fest, Pints and Predators and Ride to Remember. In addition, they host weekly events like their well-attended Brainaholics Trivia, all which are listed on their Facebook page.
First Magnitude Brewing Company is located in a renovated warehouse, making for a large, unique and welcoming space. The indoor tasting room is decorated with art for sale, a wall full of taps, coolers for to-go beers and smiling faces ready to serve you. The brewery offers several locations to sit and gather whether your group is large or small. You may find yourself listening to live music in their outdoor beer garden, playing a game in their open-air warehouse, or catching up with a friend at a picnic table on the front porch – there is a comfortable spot for everyone! And with the brewery being located directly off the Gainesville to Hawthorne State Trail, it has become a common place for cyclists and runners to enjoy the trail then meet up for refreshments afterwards.
Year-round beers like Vega (Blonde Ale) and Drift (Session Brown Ale) remain on tap and are joined by limited releases like Salt Water Intrusion Gose and Mango Lassi (Milkshake Sour). If you’re not much of a beer fan, try a homemade soda, hard cider, or a glass of wine. Order food off their charcuterie style menu or enjoy something from the food truck.
AWARD WINNERS: GOLD for Drift English Brown Ale, SILVER for Ursa American IPA, Wakulla Hefeweizen and Vega Blonde Ale (World Beer Cup winner)
High Springs Brewing Company
18562 NW 237th St., High Springs, FL 32643
Check their Facebook page for new beer releases, upcoming live music and events.
Located in the quaint, unique downtown of High Springs, also known as The Gateway to the Springs, the brewery boasts a family-friendly atmosphere with the opportunity to spread out throughout their open space.
Popular weekly activities include a Wednesday corn-hole tournament, yoga classes (sometimes with little goats), live music performances and tasty food trucks.
Popular weekly activities include a Wednesday corn-hole tournament, yoga classes (sometimes with little goats), live music performances and tasty food trucks.
Check their Facebook page for new beer releases, upcoming live music and events.
Swamp Head Brewery
3650 SW 42 Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
Check their Facebook page for new beer releases, and upcoming events.
Celebrating their 13th year, Swamp Head Brewery was founded on a mission to be Florida’s brewery, providing craft beer throughout the state. Core beers like Big Nose IPA and Midnight Oil Oatmeal Stout are joined by frequent limited releases like Field Trip (Peanut Butter and Jelly Amber Ale) and Swamp Water (Pink Grapefruit Hard Seltzer).
Guests can enjoy a beer of choice in an absolutely beautiful, hundred-year-old reclaimed wood taproom called The Wetlands. Or, step outside and be transported to an oasis where you can watch the sunset over the picturesque pond – there is no other brewery like it.
On select days, join a Swamp Head tour and get a glimpse of the brewing room and learn about beer making.
AWARD WINNERS: BEST IN SHOW for 10-10-10 Spiced Imperial IPA, GOLD for Stump Knocker Pale Ale, Land Manatee NE IPA (pictured above), and Smoke Signal Smoked Porter, SILVER for Swampfest Dopplebock
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