Sarasota’s craft beer scene is bursting with flavor, creativity, and plenty of options for every palate. Whether you’re after a hazy IPA in a lively beer garden, a sour on the waterfront, or a quiet pint with friends, this city’s breweries have you covered.
Let’s get to it.
Sun King Sarasota
Sun King Sarasota offers a neighborhood-style brewery experience that caters to every age. The large outdoor patio includes yard games and kid-friendly spaces. Dog leash hooks and water bowls make it easy to bring furry friends along.
Inside, guests sip Osiris Pale Ale and share appetizers beneath a lineup of live music nights, musical bingo, and even bonsai workshops. Signature beers like Sunlight Cream Ale and Wee Mac Scottish Ale keep regulars returning. Seasonal releases such as the Fistful of Hops IPAs and Summer Glow Wheat Ale show off bold flavors. In cooler months, the barrel-aged Winter Solstice Stout provides extra depth. For their second anniversary, the Peach Sour called Lollipop Style joined the roster.
Can and growler fills are available for take-home enjoyment. With a packed events calendar and versatile beer lineup, Sun King Sarasota blends community-centered programming with award-worthy brews.
99 Bottles | Craft Beer Bar • Wine Bar
At 99 Bottles, craft beer and wine share equal billing. Thirty-four rotating taps feature everything from local IPAs to barrel-aged imports. This ever-changing selection includes sought-after bottles like Cantillon Gueuze or an Angry Chair stout.
The team places strong emphasis on supporting Florida breweries, stocking sours and hoppy ales from the region’s best. On weekends, brunch takes center stage with fresh New York bagels paired alongside chocolate breakfast stouts or creamy nitro milk stouts. Small plates include flatbreads, mezze boards, and carefully arranged charcuterie. Pop-up chef menus rotate to keep regulars intrigued.
Inside, the mood is moody and artsy, while the patio gives you a front-row seat to Second Street’s parking challenges. Their wine cocktails lean on sherries and aperitifs instead of standard mixers, offering a clever twist. Whether you’re hunting rare bottles or settling in for happy hour, 99 Bottles delivers detail-oriented service in a laid-back setting.
Calusa Brewing
Tucked just off the Siesta Key corridor, Calusa Brewing in Sarasota makes a strong case for becoming your go-to craft beer spot. The 4,000-square-foot industrial-chic taproom fits large groups, and floor-to-ceiling windows give you a clear view of the brewhouse in action. With 36 taps pouring exclusively Calusa’s small-batch beers, IPAs dominate the lineup.
Their Zote Hazy IPA won Best Florida Beer in 2024, showcasing a perfect balance of hops. The Florida Flavor Lager earned a gold medal in 2022, so those accolades are real. Beyond crowd favorites, brewery staff experiment with creative recipes. The Dissonance Breakfast Brown Ale infuses real coffee and cinnamon. The Citronius B.I.G. Double IPA delivers intense Citra hop notes. Seasonal releases keep the menu fresh every time you visit.
If you work up an appetite, the on-site kitchen partners with PigFish for chef-driven dishes. Rotating food trucks also stop by regularly. Two full bars, local art installations, and ample lawn game space make it family- and dog-friendly. Trivia nights and live music add to the energetic atmosphere without ever feeling cramped.
Brew Life Brewing
Brew Life Brewing presents a playful take on the brewery model in a compact Sarasota space. Retro arcade games like Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga stand beside the bar. A pinewood derby track adds a quirky touch.
Fruit-forward sours and IPAs are central to the menu. The Pink Guava IPA and Mango Sour Ale both deliver a bright, tart punch. Braggots brewed with local honey offer sweet-meets-dry complexity. Rotating specialty releases include Guava 2.0 NEIPA and Rhino Tears, each highlighting regional ingredients. Dark beers receive dessert-style treatments, as seen in the 24 Quarter Porter, rich with roasted malt flavors.
Local artists rotate through curated exhibits on the walls. Outdoor seating is available for those who prefer fresh air. Food trucks appear periodically, though guests often bring their own snacks. You can also grab cans or crowlers to go, ensuring you never leave without a favorite find. Families, gamers, and beer enthusiasts converge each night for community-driven fun.
Good Liquid Brewing Company
Good Liquid Brewing Company combines waterfront views with an all-inclusive brewery layout. Picnic tables overlook the water while kids enjoy the dedicated menu, board games, and high chairs. Dogs roam freely in the beer garden that features cornhole boards and regular bingo nights.
Inside, 34 rotating taps showcase inventive recipes brewed on-site. Expect Mixed Berry Jalapeño Cream Ale and Coconut Key Lime Sour. The Fruity Bits Milkshake IPA uses tropical hops and creamy lactose for a smooth profile. Seasonal additions range from tart barrel-fermented sours in summer to spiced brown ales in autumn. Stouts appear for cooler evenings, followed by citrus-bright offerings in spring.
The menu steps up beyond burgers and fries. Try beer-braised short ribs, blackened grouper tacos, or loaded mac and cheese—all designed to pair with the tap list. Brewmaster Mike Krail brings award-winning expertise to every release. Locally owned and veteran-run, Good Liquid is unapologetically fun without sacrificing quality.
Big Top Live
At Big Top Live, the circus theme extends from yard games to live music and a rotating lineup of food trucks. You’ll find picnic-style seating under string lights, a spacious beer garden, and playful decor that celebrates the brand’s carnival roots.
The tap wall features house creations like PB&J American pale ale and a coconut-coffee porter, alongside seasonal specialties that often sell out quickly. A Märzen salutes Oktoberfest, a Florida-style pumpkin ale warms cooler evenings, and Peach Milkshake IPA delivers summer vibes. In winter months, barrel-aged stouts become the go-to by the fire pit.
Food trucks change almost daily. Origin Pizza often headlines with hand-stretched pies, but local taco and barbecue trucks also roll in. Guests grab their meals to enjoy among the games or near the stage. Families gather on weekends, dogs lounge at their owners’ feet, and live music fills the air most evenings. Big Top Live offers a memorable mix of brews, bites, and entertainment for any Sarasota outing.
Big Top Brewers Collective
Located in the former Naughty Monk Brewery space, Big Top Brewers Collective showcases a rotating lineup of both collaborative and in-house brews. Patrons can sample Big Top signature IPAs and lagers alongside Naughty Monk’s Belgian ales, including Trécouche, a dark-strong ale with chocolate, caramel, and dark fruit notes.
Head brewer Jordan Perrin experiments constantly. Regular pours such as Circus City IPA and an easy-drinking Mexican Lager share tap handles with guest beers from Sarasota and Bradenton breweries. Each September, the Bigtoberfest Märzen appears for a full Oktoberfest celebration complete with polka bands, pretzels, and lederhosen photo moments.
The shaded beer garden features picnic tables beneath oak trees and AstroTurf underfoot. Families gather in the kids’ zone on weekends, while the local runners’ club drops by for post-jog pints. Dogs nap under tables and patrons enjoy live guitar sets or traditional Oompah tunes during Bavarian events. When hunger strikes, BubbaQue’s BBQ truck serves brisket sandwiches and the smart bistro vending kitchen offers gourmet bites.
Inner Compass Brewing Company at LWR
Inner Compass Brewing Company at Lakewood Ranch blends the comfort of a lodge with the buzz of a neighborhood brewery. Inside, 157 seats wrap around the central bar, and the outdoor patio overlooks a serene pond and towering oaks. On Fridays and Saturdays, live bands set up on the lawn while yard games and board games keep guests entertained.
The tap list features 30 beers, most brewed on-site. Hoppy IPAs share space with fruit-forward options such as the Orange Mango Rizzler wheat beer and rotating sour ales. Seasonal releases appear throughout the year, from light ales in summer to richer brews in fall.
Food arrives fresh from scratch. Dough and sauce top artisan pizzas, and Angus burgers sit alongside salads or items from the kids menu. Arcade cabinets line one corner of the taproom, and an indoor play area occupies another, keeping children busy.
Dogs lounge on the lawn and sip from provided water bowls as owners toss cornhole bags. A private event room offers dedicated seating and catering for larger gatherings. Inner Compass brings craft beer, scratch cooking, games, and live music together at one inviting address.
3 Keys Brewing and Gastrobrew
At 3 Keys Brewing and Gastrobrew, guests find more than a taproom—they discover a neighborhood gathering spot with 20 taps and scratch kitchen service. The beer list includes adventurous options like Ghostface ’Nilla, a ghost-pepper vanilla cream ale, and rich double stouts that pair well with patio seating under string lights.
Each season brings special releases, from a fall Märzen to winter stouts aged in bourbon barrels. Locally sourced beef forms the backbone of their menu, where hand-pressed burgers and gourmet pub fare arrive fresh rather than frozen. A rotating selection of sandwiches and salads rounds out the offerings.
Live music fills the space most Friday and Saturday nights, and friendly happy hour specials draw locals throughout the week. Families gather at picnic tables while dogs roam the patio under watchful owners. Outdoor yard games add a playful touch. Regular patrons can join the mug club and keep a personalized beer stein on-site, ready for their next pour.
Motorworks Brewing- Bradenton
At Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton, guests discover one of Florida’s largest beer gardens, spanning 22,000 square feet around a 250-year-old oak. Picnic tables and Adirondack chairs sit beneath string lights, and a rotation of yard games keeps the mood lively.
Tap handles stretch over 30 in-house beers that cover a wide range of styles. Citrus-forward IPAs share space with Mango Habanero IPA, Vienna lagers, and a Midnight Espresso Coffee Porter. Seasonal releases include a barrel-aged pumpkin ale each fall and crisp citrus lagers in summer. Flights make it easy to sample several at once.
Live music fills the beer garden most weekends, while trivia nights and community events draw regular crowds. Food trucks park on-site with table service, so guests can order tacos or barbecue without missing a beat. Free popcorn appears during game nights and TVs hang from every corner. A local loyalty program rewards frequent visitors with swag and discounts. Between the oak tree canopy and the playful setup, Motorworks Brewing offers a thoughtful blend of craft beer and outdoor fun.
