Whether you’re searching for a cold craft pint after a sunny round of golf or a lively spot to catch up with friends, the brewery scene in and around The Villages is more exciting than ever. There is no shortage of friendly taprooms, creative house-brewed beers, and welcoming patios waiting to be explored.
Let’s get to it.
Wolf Branch Brewing Co.
At Wolf Branch Brewing Co. in Central Florida, you’ll find three veteran-owned taprooms in Eustis, Mount Dora, and Leesburg. Each location offers heated patios for year-round comfort and welcomes families and dogs. The Grove beer garden features string lights and lush gardens that create a cozy spot after sundown. Indoors, the game rooms include shuffleboard, darts, and board games that keep guests entertained.
The tap list rotates 10 to 15 house-brewed beers, from hazy IPAs to farmhouse Saisons. Seasonal releases like the 7.2% Winter Warmer have holiday spice notes reminiscent of fresh-baked cookies. Non-beer drinkers can choose hard seltzers, meads, and ciders such as Grandpa’s Sangria. Flights let you sample a variety of styles, and growlers are available for take-home fills. Bring your own food if you prefer to dine on one of the local food trucks.
Live music and trivia nights add to the laid-back vibe. Each taproom features friendly staff and a community atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
Bully Brewing Inc
If you’re looking for a family-owned taproom that feels like a local hangout, Bully Brewing Inc in Leesburg, FL fits the bill. The staff greet patrons by name and dogs are welcome everywhere, inside or on the covered, shady patio where water bowls and treats are ready for furry friends. The layout keeps guests cool under the Florida heat.
Bully focuses entirely on house-brewed beer, rotating more than 30 options on tap. All beers come from their own brewing system with no outsourcing. The Cream Ale stands out for its smooth taste and easy drinkability. Summer afternoons call for the crisp Kölsch or Pale Lager, while IPA fans can choose from hazy, black, or even Milkshake IPAs. The Pineapple Milkshake IPA, released in June 2025, has a sweet finish that resembles dessert.
Regular live music, trivia nights, board games, cornhole, and occasional karaoke keep the atmosphere lively. Guests can relax and take their time, whether they come for a quick pint or a long evening with friends. It never feels like anyone is in a rush to leave, and repeat visits reveal new seasonal brews or limited releases.
Nine State Brewery
In downtown Inverness, Nine State Brewery brews every batch on site and embraces bold flavors. Their lineup includes hazelnut-coffee maple stouts, banana-chocolate stouts, and a Kona coffee and macadamia nut imperial stout that reads like a dessert list in beer form. Hazy IPAs shine here, with fruity, tropical, and even chili-pepper variations that draw fans from across the region.
Food options move beyond standard bar snacks. Korean tacos, smoked ribs, and shareable appetizers are crafted to complement serious beer profiles. Non-beer drinkers can choose from sangria, cider, or wine, ensuring every guest finds something to enjoy.
The taproom atmosphere is easygoing and engaging. Guests can join music trivia, paint-and-craft nights, or catch live blues and folk bands. Limited releases such as five-year anniversary beers and other special batches keep regulars returning for fresh experiences. Well-behaved dogs are welcome upon request, and attentive staff add to the small-town comfort. With a broad beer menu and a relaxed vibe, Nine State Brewery makes every visit feel like a casual gathering for friends and neighbors.
Infinite Ale Works
At Infinite Ale Works, every beer is brewed on-site in Ocala, with no outside brands sneaking onto the menu. The lineup draws heavily on Belgian traditions. Their West Floridian Quad won Best Florida Beer, delivering plum and raisin notes that outshine a classic holiday fruitcake. Wheat ale fans will appreciate Witfinite, a medal-winning brew spiced with coriander and orange peel.
The taproom features soaring ceilings and a dedicated game room stocked with board games. Outside, the spacious beer garden has picnic tables, water bowls for dogs, and cornhole boards for friendly competition. Local food trucks line up regularly, and live music on weekends keeps the atmosphere lively.
Every autumn, the brewery hosts an Oktoberfest celebration complete with stein-holding contests, and the “Infinitely Creative” series showcases rotating sours and barrel-aged stouts. Their core beers travel statewide, so you may find Into the Haze IPA or Trails Pale Ale well beyond Ocala. By blending respect for brewing traditions with adventurous new recipes, Infinite Ale Works delivers both consistency and surprise in every pint.
Hiatus Brewing Company
In Ocala, Hiatus Brewing Company offers a bright, spacious taproom designed for trivia champions and families with toddlers. Their three-barrel brewing system produces over a dozen craft beers on tap, alongside ciders, seltzers, and wines. Award-winning brews appear regularly, including the crisp Everyday is Saturday Kölsch and the malty Time Stands Still Pre-Prohibition Bock, both Bronze Medal winners at the 2024 Best Florida Beer Awards.
The food menu features flatbreads, hearty sandwiches, and a standout apple tart that pairs well with most beers. Weekly events bring the community together—from trivia nights to pumpkin carving sessions. Live music rounds out the calendar with local bands keeping the atmosphere lively.
A dog-friendly patio welcomes pups, while service animals may enter indoors. Groups can spread out among high-top tables, lounge seating, and outdoor picnic areas. Whether you stop in for a quick flight or plan to stay for an event, Hiatus Brewing Company creates a relaxed environment that makes taking a hiatus feel like a welcoming ritual.
Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room
Stepping into Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room in Leesburg, FL feels like arriving in a mini Windy City. The menu highlights Chicago classics: Italian beef with giardiniera, Maxwell Street Polish, and authentic Tom Tom tamales. Pizza puffs and tavern-cut pizzas pair perfectly with a cold pint.
The brewery offers ten house-made beers. Three core styles stay on tap: the rich Southern Brown Ale, a zesty citrus House IPA, and the balanced 311 Amber. The other seven taps rotate through experimental batches such as Windy City Haze IPA, barrel-aged stouts, wheats, and seasonal spiced brews. This variety keeps the lineup fresh without overwhelming guests with extreme flavors.
Outside, a spacious beer garden welcomes dogs and families. Weekends bring live music and themed events like Bike Night or classic car meetups in the parking lot. Parents can order root beer for kids while savoring flights of beers. With its straightforward menu, rotating brews, and regular events, Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room delivers a fun, no-frills atmosphere for beer enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
