St. Petersburg, sometimes jokingly referred to as “God’s Waiting Room” for its large population of elderly retirees, might want to adopt the moniker “God’s Tasting Room” as another player in the ‘Burg’s burgeoning craft brewery scene opens its doors to the public Saturday. 3 Daughters Brewing, a.k.a. 3DB, joins recent additions Green Bench Brewing, Cycle Brewing and Brewers’ Tasting Room in St. Petersburg.
Located at 222 22nd St. in the developing Warehouse Arts District, 3DB will offer seven of its brews at first, with some barrel-aged specialties planned down the line.
Owner Mike Harting, also co-owner of the city’s BellaBrava New World Trattoria restaurant, is aiming high by opening with a 30-barrel Premier Stainless brewing system inside an 18,000-square-foot warehouse, along with a 2,000-square-foot attached tasting room.
3DB gave a sneak peek Thursday night to a few hundred friends, local business owners, beer distributors, craft brewers, media folks and politicians, with Mayor-elect Rick Kriseman and Harting toasting with the first official pour from the brewery.
“This is what St. Pete’s all about,” Kriseman told the group. “It’s about craft beer … we’re getting a reputation.”
Mayor-elect Rick Kriseman and 3DB owner Mike Harting pour the first official beer.
The brewery’s name honors the three school-age daughters of Harting and his wife, Leigh. Head brewer Ty Weaver, a homebrewer and colleague of Harting at BellaBrava, started using his beer in the recipe for the restaurant’s beer-battered fish.
“It grew from him making beer to, ‘We should build a brewery,” Harting said.
Where the magic happens.
The grand opening Saturday will be from 3 to 9 p.m. and promises to be family-friendly with inflatable bounce houses and an 18-hole putt-putt golf course outside, and live music, games, and other activities inside. Those who are 21 or older can purchase a $20 wristband for unlimited tastings, and food trucks will be there with munchies for sale. On tap will be the flagship beer Beach Blonde Ale and others including the Summer Storm Stout and Brown Pelican Dunkelweizen.
Regular hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m.
Click here for more photos from the preview.
And further south …
As evidence that the craft beer in Florida scene is continuing to gain momentum, a new brewery in Fort Myers also is holding its grand opening Saturday.
The festivities at Point Ybel Brewing Company, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., begin at noon. Its Facebook page says there will be six beers served, and Mexican food will be available for purchase, cash only, though it’s noted that “there are several restaurants within walking distance that accept credit cards and/or deliver to the brewery.”
Credit cards will be accepted in the tasting room, but they advise attendees to bring cash to expedite service since they are expecting a large crowd.
There will be live music by local band sowFLo from 1 to 6 p.m., and a raffle will be held for prizes provided by World of Beer – Fort Myers and Time to Make Wine.
I was fortunate to have a lunch meeting the other day at Cigar City Brewpub in Tampa. Head brewer Tim Ogden and I chatted a bit when I first arrived, and he offered a few tidbits about upcoming events and beer releases.
