The Hourglass Brewery | Schizandra

The Hourglass Brewery (Longwood, FL) debuted their limited bottle selection May 16 with the brewery’s first bottle release of Schizandra. This is the first beer bottled by Sky Conley and Brett Mason’s brewery. Hourglass Brewery has been open and operating at capacity since they started in 2012. This year marks another milestone for Conley, Mason and the rest of the brewery family with this and many other changes at the brewery.  Read More

Proposed Laws Could Change Craft Beer In Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas

If you’re reading PorchDrinking.com, then you’re likely well aware the craft beer industry is killing it in the U.S. The Brewers Association says the industry hit $19.6 Billion in retail and took hold of 11 percent of the volume share in 2014 — the first double digit share ever.

While the success stories are widely reported and cheered, including West Virginia’s legislature passing a law earlier this month to allow state breweries to offer samples, lawmakers in several states are right now debating proposals that could significantly impact how beer-loving residents and visitors legally consume and buy craft beer. While there are smaller legal issues around the nation, the heated debates in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas are the ones we’re watching very closely right now. Here’s why.

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Green Bench Brewing Co. | St. Petersburg, Florida

Come have a seat at St. Petersburg, Florida’s Green Bench Brewing Co., where you’ll feel like a local among the large warehouse taproom, friendly bartenders and large outdoor space for playing bocce, listening to music or catching an outdoor movie.

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Cigar City Brewing | Jai Alai

ABV: 7.5% | IBU: 70

Last summer I was lucky enough to check out Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Florida. It was by far one of the best brewery tours I have ever been to, and their beer is phenomenal. Since it’s a small brewery, they only sell their beer around Tampa. Fortunately, I have an amazing friend who came up to visit me in Columbus, bringing with him a 6 back of Cigar City Brewing’s Jai Alai Indian Pale Ale that he bought while in Tampa. I could not have been more excited to try this beer again, and showcase it here. Read More