I’ve been a fan of Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing Company ever since I first tasted their beers a few years ago on a road trip to Georgia. When the brewery announced it was moving into Florida a while back, I was at first excited, then disappointed when I learned the beer would only be available in the northern part of the state, but not in the Orlando area, where I lived at the time.
But today, Sweetwater Brewing announced that with the production boost from a recent brewhouse expansion, its brews will soon be available in Orlando and the Tampa Bay area, starting with 420 Extra Pale Ale in late October as the first phase of the rollout.
A distributing partnership has not been announced for either metro area.
Here’s the news release:
SweetWater Brewing Company announces 2012 Florida Expansion
The South’s second largest craft brewery rolling into Tampa and Orlando this fall
ATLANTA (August 21, 2012) – SweetWater Brewing Company is excited to announce their expansion into Tampa and Orlando this fall. Known for their West Coast style of hoppy, aggressive, incredibly fresh and unpasteurized ales, SweetWater will be kicking off their arrival with their flagship beer – 420 Extra Pale Ale – on draft at select bars, pubs and restaurants throughout the area.
The brewery’s iconic rainbow trout tap handles will begin appearing in Tampa late this October and then make their way into Orlando in late November, but no decisions have been made yet on distribution partners in either market. Following its launch of 420 on draft, SweetWater will roll out more tasty brews from its award-winning lineup including IPA and Blue to join 420 in six-packs.
“With the installation of our new 250-barrel brew house and the addition of a slew of fermentation tanks, we will finally be able to make enough beer so that we can sell it a little further south into Florida,” said Freddy Bensch, founder and Big Kahuna of SweetWater Brewing Company. “I’m personally looking forward to getting down there to see if the fishing is as good as I’ve heard!”
More details to be released closer to the brew’s arrival in market. To learn more about SweetWater Brewing Company and its annual lineup, visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com.
