Orlando's craft beer scene has exploded in the last decade. What was once a beer desert now boasts over 30 breweries. Here's your complete guide to the best.
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Top Tier: Must-Visit Breweries
### Starkey's Bend Brewery
**Location:** Mills 50 District
**Vibe:** laid-back, dog-friendly, local favorite
**Must Try:** Central Florida Sunshine (wheat beer), Tropic of Agriculture (IPA)
The brewery that put Mills 50 on the map. Excellent year-round beers plus rotating seasonals. Large outdoor patio, often has food trucks.
### Angry Ocean Beer Co.
**Location:** Colonialtown
**Vibe:** Modern, clean, elevated pub fare
**Must Try:** Fuzzy Navel (peach IPA), Coral Sea Pilsner
Newer on the scene but already a standout. Known for hazy IPAs and innovative sours. The taproom is beautiful—exposed brick, plenty of seating.
### Hourglass Brewing
**Location:** Longwood (15 min north)
**Vibe:** Dive bar meets craft, eclectic
**Must Try:** Time Warp series (wild ales), any barrel-aged stout
For beer nerds only. Their wild ale program is one of the best in Florida. Expect funk, sour, and complex barrel-aged beers. Cash-only, no taproom food but you can bring your own.
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Great Everyday Spots
### Redlight Redlight
**Location:** Audubon Park
**Vibe:** Eclectic, divey, rare beer heaven
**Must Try:** Whatever's on the rare tap
Orlando's craft beer pioneer. This place is an institution. The beer list changes constantly—often includes rare brews you won't find anywhere else. Cash-only, bring cash for tips.
### The Broken Jar
**Location:** Horizen (brewpub)
**Vibe:** Family-friendly, sports bar
**Must Try:** Orlando Orange Shandy, FL Grandma (stout)
Reliable, solid beers in a comfortable setting. Good food, great for watching games. The Orlando Orange Shandy is perfect for Florida heat.
### Brixen Craft Brewery
**Location:** Longwood
**Vibe:** Cozy, German-style
**Must Try:** Hefeweizen, Dunkel
German-style brewery focusing on traditional European beers. Less flashy than others but consistently excellent. Try the hefeweizen on a hot day.
### Ocean 98 Brewery
**Location:** Ocoee
**Vibe:** laid-back, outdoor-focused
**Must Try:** Florida Weisse, Pineapple Sour
Great outdoor space, often has live music. The Florida Weisse is refreshing and sessionable. Good for families.
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Solid Options
### Wop's Hops Kitchen & Brewery
**Location:** Sanford
**Vibe:** Gastropub, extensive menu
**Must Try:** Hops Kitchen Red, any seasonal
In historic downtown Sanford. Good food, solid beers. The location is worth the drive—Sanford has a charming downtown area.
### Crooked Can Brewing Company
**Location:** Plant Street Market (Winter Garden)
**Vibe:** Market setting, community-focused
**Must Try:** Crooked Pils, Florida IPA
Located in the Plant Street Market food hall. Great for sampling your way through multiple vendors. Good for groups with varied tastes.
### Deviant Logic Brewing
**Location:** Ocoee
**Vibe:** Experimental, small batch
**Must Try:** Rotation of small-batch实验 beers
For adventurous drinkers. Small-batch, experimental brews. You never know what you'll get—which is the point.
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Beer Trails & Tours
### The Brewing Bus
Not a brewery—a shuttle service that tours you between 4-5 breweries. Perfect for a safe day of tasting. Book in advance.
### Orlando Beer Trail
Many breweries participate in the Orlando Beer Trail passport program. Visit multiple breweries, get stamps, earn rewards.
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Pro Tips
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Orlando's brewery scene continues to grow. These are the best—start here and explore from there. Cheers! 🍻