Taste the Breweries of Gainesville

With its wooden tables and wrought iron chandeliers, this enchanting Tudor-style taproom will transport you into a centuries-old English tavern. The smell of malted barley and fermenting yeast permeates the room as tradition and innovation flow from the taps. Challenge someone to a game of darts or cozy up in a comfy chair around the fireplace while sipping on one of their Belgian-inspired creations. Established in 2016, this three-and-a-half barrel system regularly churns out unique new flavors. Brewer Chris Hart is always discovering exciting, fresh ingredients to add to the mix, such as elderflower, Marsh Rosemary or locally grown hemp. He has won two Best Florida Beer awards for his juniper saison and roasted chestnut old ale.

Aside from the 12 in-house brews found on tap, Blackadder boasts an extensive variety of more than 20 unique and sometimes rare kegs on their draft list. Ciders and wines are also available, as well as cream and lime ginger sodas made in-house for those interested in something nonalcoholic. The family-friendly tasting room offers an assortment of board games and snacks to keep the kiddos entertained, and the staff are all warm and inviting.The brewery hosts an annual calendar of events, including the outdoor Blocktoberfest featuring a 12-piece band and locally made sausage dishes. In December, look for their anniversary party and their outdoor Christmas market, Christkindlmarkt, where shoppers can peruse local art and various crafts while sipping on warmly spiced Glühwein made in-house. Blackadder regularly partners with a number of local charities and hosts events such as Bat Appreciation Day benefitting Lubee Bat Conservancy. Be on the lookout as well for Pi Day Pie Cookoff, cookie and gumbo cookoffs, specialty trivia nights and Harry Potter’s Birthday. BREWER’S FAVORITE: James’ Brown imperial brown ale and the pink rider, pink peppercorn and hibiscus saison.

The exposed brick wall and dangling Edison bulbs give off a trendy urban vibe that sets Big Top Brewing Company apart. Between the convenient downtown location and their unique beer menu, it is the perfect place for a post-work brew or a fun night out. Patrons can either sit inside or relax under strings of market-lighting in the outdoor beer garden. Aside from their eclectic beer selections, the food menu offers a variety of appetizers and handhelds, as well as brunch on weekends.Joining the local brewery scene in 2018, this Sarasota-born brand embodies their mantra, “Let every sip defy what you thought possible in beer.” While delightfully challenging even the most daring beer enthusiasts, Big Top redefines craft beer with their creative concoctions, such as the chocolate raspberry lava cake stout and the banana cinnamon sour. Big Top has something for everyone, including their classic core beers like conch republic key lime wheat and their circus city IPA.

Big Top was voted the best brewery in Sarasota and boasts more than 25 medals from multiple awards ceremonies, including Best Florida Beer and Great American Brew Festival as well as a gold medal for their launcher lager in the U.S. Beer Open. Their Gainesville brewer, Josh Wilson, has been brewing with Big Top for seven years.With Gainesville’s charming atmosphere and vibrant culture, expanding to the area was a no-brainer for this brand. Big Top immediately fell in love with their new downtown home and look forward to growing within the community. The team is excited to be a part of Gainesville’s brewery scene and bring more awareness to the local breweries. Big Top has truly appreciated the tremendous support they have received in the first year of their expansion. They have been overwhelmed by the solidarity of the community and the continued support during the most difficult time in the history of the hospitality industry, the coronavirus pandemic. Whether sourcing with local businesses or sponsoring the local rugby team (Go Hogs!), Big Top strives to give back to its community. They regularly partner with local businesses and nonprofit organizations in hosting events and contributing to fundraising efforts. Look out for their other year-round events including the annual anniversary party and various special beer releases.

Tucked away in the charming Grove Street neighborhood, Cypress and Grove not only brings creative and fresh beers to Gainesville, but through preservation, they tell the story of its rich history. Breathing new life into the old ice plant, Cypress and Grove restored the original early 20th-century building and kept the old 400-foot well that taps right into the Floridan aquifer and serves them the main ingredient for their beer. Haunts of the old ice plant live in Cypress and Grove’s brick room, with visible ice pick marks embedded in the floor and tables made with its reclaimed rafters. As if frozen in time, this architectural artifact once provided local residents and the Seaboard Air.

Surrounded by lush wetlands and wildlife, this aptly named brewery sits right on the edge of a preservation area. A wooden boardwalk extends into the natural scenery, leading patrons into the serene pavilion resting over a marshy swamp. Various birds and deer can be seen while relaxing in this wildlife haven, including the resident alligator, Growler. Living through their motto, “Inherently Floridian,” Swamp Head pioneered the way for Gainesville’s craft beer scene and, since its inception in 2008, has significantly grown their brand. Its massive 30-barrel system pumps out four or five new releases almost weekly and provides statewide distribution of their core beers. The tasting room features 28 taps and attracts everyone from families to college students for a pint of their liquid magic.

While embracing sustainability and preservation, Swamp Head has been known to challenge traditional beer expectations. Swamp Head embraces local sourcing while exploring interesting ingredients for their unique recipes, such as everything but the ham sour ale and Doug’s rocky road. They hold two World Beer Cup awards for their smoke signals robust smoked porter and their cranberry beet wild night honey cream ale. Swamp Head is excited to open up their patio expansion with more outdoor seating and to do more barrel aging in their brewery. This well-recognized brand partners with various charities and other organizations to raise funds and awareness within the community. For their annual Earth Day celebration, Treefest, they partner with the Alachua Conservation Trust in planting five trees for every beer purchased. Other fun, seasonal events to look for throughout the year are their May the Fourth Beer With You, Oktoberfest and adult trick-or-treating in October.