Local Brews: The St. Pete/Clearwater Craft Beer Trail

Near the historic sponge docks of this waterside community, Saint Somewhere sources Belgian malt and wheat to craft farmhouse ales in the traditional Belgian style: unfiltered and re-fermented in the bottle for a complex finish. Plan in advance to attend a bottling session or take the tour (with samples!).

Florida’s oldest microbrewery is tucked into the walkable town of Dunedin. Stroll, shop, then stop into the brewery for pub fare, entertainment and small-batch brews. The taps cover styles from Kölsch to Dunkel, but the most popular pour is the Apricot Peach Ale. Tours are available for $5.

Greg Rapp’s 20 taps reflect his heritage (his great-grandfather was a German brewer). Expect traditional styles you’ve heard of – and some you haven’t, from a tangy Gose to a chocolate hazelnut porter. Ask any team member for a tour of the intimate facility.

Repurposing a former warehouse, 3 Daughters provides ample space to take a tour, relax or play games like giant Jenga and shuffleboard; weekends add live music and food trucks. Of the 14 beers on tap, you can’t go wrong with the citrusy St. Pete Beach Blonde Ale. Afterward, explore the adjacent Warehouse Arts District or Grand Central District.

Choose from 12 taps and head outside: Green Bench’s beer garden is an irresistible open-air hangout in The EDGE District of downtown St. Petersburg. It’s especially lively when the Tampa Bay Rays professional baseball team is playing at nearby Tropicana Field. Stop in for free Saturday tours and periodic special events, including movie nights in the beer garden.

Cycle Brewing may seem laid-back with its downtown sidewalk seating and session IPAs, but this brewery operates a serious barrel project. Ask what’s on tap; the selection might have been aged in bourbon, cognac, tequila, whiskey or scotch barrels.

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is served by two international airports (St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport), making flying in and out simple. These gateways to paradise feature service from more than 30 airlines, competitive rates and efficient facilities packed with amenities. Direct international flights are available from Panama, London, Frankfurt and Zurich.