Tampa Bay makes a lot of great craft beer. In fact, our area is home to 110 craft breweries, according to Drink Local Florida. Local brewers are constantly tapping their creative juices to drum up crafty collaborations, standout recipes, and fun names for their frothy masterpieces.
We’d like to raise a glass to five Tampa Bay-centric brews with names that draw inspiration from our city’s history, communities, and culture.
We’re raising a glass to five TBAY-centric brews:
Night Swim, Coppertail Brewing Co.
This dark beer name-drops the splashy, nocturnal hobby beloved by Tampanians and poses the very important question: “What just touched my leg?” Fun fact: This brew won silver at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival.
Style + flavor: This 6.2% ABV brown porter features Jarrylo hops and locally roasted cacao nibs for a roasty flavor with hints of chocolate.
Florida Man Double India Pale Ale, Cigar City Brewing
The name of the brew calls out the local Floridian synonymous with our State — you know, that “hero with a shark tooth around his neck, Grim Reaper tattoo on his arm, and a rap sheet longer than his mama’s mustache.”
Style + flavor: The brewery says this balanced, 8.5% ABV double IPA is made with “a nearly criminal amount of hops.” It has moderate bitterness, plus tropical fruit notes like melon, and a caramel quality.
Orange Crush, Hidden Springs Aleworks
This beer’s name calls out our official state fruit — orange you glad we highlighted it for you?
Style + flavor: This 5.2% ABV American wheat ale is made with wildflower honey and sweet orange peel for a refreshing, citrusy flavor profile.
Pig Jig Light Lager, Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
This beer’s name is a nod to Tampa Pig Jig, the beloved annual waterfront fundraiser hosted by the HopeWill Foundation. It’s brewed in partnership with Tampa Pig Jig to raise funds for NephCure Kidney International.
Style + flavor: This crisp, 4.2% ABV lager boasts a light malt sweetness, plus flavors of fresh lime zest, lime juice, and sea salt.
There’s nothing like relaxing on the lawn at Green Bench.
Photo by @ashleyofthesea via @greenbenchbrewing
Sunshine City IPA, Green Bench Brewing Co.
The name of this brew celebrates the beautiful sunny city of St. Petersburg — aka the Sunshine City — and was made to “be as bright as the warmest summer day.”
Style + flavor: This 6.8% ABV India pale ale is double dry-hopped with Mosaic, Citra, and Azacca hops. It has an intensely tropical flavor profile and aroma — think tangerine, nectar, and peach.
This is just a sampling of local craft brews with TBAY-related nods in their names. If we missed your favorite, share it with us.
Cheers to you, Cigar City.
