Where To Drink Along Florida's Gulf Coast
Five Florida counties teamed up to create The Gulf Toast Beer Trail, a treasure-map-style guide highlighting local breweries, wineries and distilleries along the west coast, from Bradenton to Marco Island. But don't be too ambitious — the 24 stops along the way will take a few days (and a designated driver) to complete. To find the standout stops and brews, we consulted Untappd, a social app where beer enthusiasts rate their favorites.
At JDub's Brewing Company in Sarasota, the must-order is the Bell Cow milk chocolate porter. Served on nitro in their taproom, the dark malts blend with the sweetness of the lactose resulting in a creamy mouth feel. For something a little hoppier, opt for the highly rated Up Top! IPA.
Bradenton's Motorworks Brewing is especially proud of their Midnight Espresso porter and V Twin Vienna lager — both took home medals in the 2016 Best of Craft Beer Awards.
For an easy sip on a hot day, order the Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, with citrus notes and a hint of graham cracker, at Sarasota's Big Top Brewing. Decklin's Indulgence, a chocolate-peanut-butter brown ale, is also a popular choice.
Download the map here and start devising your plan of attack.