Craft beer has become a cult pastime across the country. Nowadays, it seems like you can’t go ten miles without running into another brewery selling an eclectic menu of tantalizing beers. If you are interested at all in craft beer, socializing with friends in a unique establishment, or supporting the local community, we have a list of places you must see while you’re visiting the Emerald Coast.
Florida Craft Beer History
Before we give you our top favorite destinations, we want to share Florida’s craft beer history. The first Florida beer company opened in Tampa in 1896 under the aptly named title of the Florida Brewing Company. Jacksonville followed in its footsteps over a decade later, opening its first brewery in 1913.
Then, prohibition hit, and breweries had to sell ice and “near beer” to get by until it was lifted, or else they were shut down. Sadly, Florida didn’t re-enter the game until even after prohibition ended, being the 31st state to ratify. Due to this, small breweries struggled to come back and compete with national companies, and it wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that they began to make an appearance again.
Now, we are going full speed, and there are enough breweries along the Emerald Coast to visit one a day for your entire stay!
Stay with 30A’s Favorite Breweries Along the Emerald Coast
*Not ranked in any particular order
Beach & Brew on 30a
Locally owned, family-built, and owner-operated, Beach & Brew is a must-stop spot in 30A for anyone who wants to enjoy a good craft beer. As a charming place to gather with new and old friends, you will be delighted by the wide menu of on-tap beer from various local breweries, as well as a few from farther away.
Location: 10343 East County Hwy 30A, Unit F-110, Seacrest Beach
Website: https://www.beachandbrew30a.com/
Growler Garage 30A
Combining the love of bikes, custom paint jobs, and the art of craft beer, The Garage is a must-see local hangout in 30A. Here you can relax in an eclectic atmosphere just across the street from the white sand beaches of South Walton. With over 40 different craft beers at the ready, you can get a true taste of Florida microbreweries.
Location: 4368 W. County Highway 30A, Suite 101, Santa Rosa Beach
Website: https://growlergarage30a.com/
Grayton Beach Brewpub
Close by 30A lies Grayton Beach Brewpub. This multi-purpose establishment is a combination of a brewery, restaurant, and bar; making it an ideal vacation for gatherings of all types. In the brewery itself and served elsewhere along the coast is their 30A Beach Blonde Ale, our personal favorite!
Location: 217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach
Website: https://www.graytonbeer.com/home
Idyll Hounds Brewery Company
Founded in 2013, Idyll Hounds is a great spot to hang out and relax. Their mission is to make beer they love to drink, and we have to agree that we love drinking it too. Unlike most places along the Emerald Coast, Idyll Hounds is open seven days a week, so it is always “beer:thirty” on the clock. We suggest trying their ghost crab pilsner for a light refresher!
Location: 845 Serenoa Rd, Santa Rosa Beach
Website: https://www.idyllhoundsbrewingcompany.com/
The Craft Bar
Hungry? Thirsty? Ready to mingle? The Craft Bar, your local gastropub, is the perfect place to go. As a combination of bar and restaurant, you can get craft beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and delightful food, all focused on local and regional sources. No matter the crowd you have with you, everyone will be able to find something they want to eat and drink while having a splendid time making beautiful vacation memories!
Location: Four Locations – Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Miramar Beach, and Panama City
Click HERE to find the one closest to you!
Website: https://www.thecraftbarfl.com/destin
Destin Brewery
Destin Brewery is an award-winning brewery you must try, and when we say “awards,” we mean a lot of awards. Destin Brewery won the 2022 Double Gold 96 Award in New York International Beer Competition and 15 others SO FAR! In addition to the long list of accomplishments, our favorite aspect of Destin Brewery is that while they have a core selection of beers, they always have a new selection of small batches available to get the old taste buds some new flavor.
Location: 505 Mountain Dr, Unit N, Destin
Website: https://destinbrewery.com/
St. Michael’s Brewing Company
St. Michael’s is a brewery of the community. Its entire theme and mission is to honor our military, law enforcement, and first responders while providing a place where family and friends can relax, socialize, and drink good beer.
They also just won 3rd place in the Best Florida Beer competition for its Florida Highlander Scottish Ale. Of course, that is a pivotal beer to try, but we additionally recommend their flagship and number-one seller, the Coastie Blonde Ale!
Location: 2199 Highway 87, Navarre
Website: https://www.stmichaelsbrewing.com
Curious about what else you should do while visiting the Emerald Coast? We recommend checking out our blog for fun ideas and joining our newsletter for up-to-date information on bookings, events, and other must-knows!