When it comes to craft brews, Orlando offers something to suit every beer-loving traveler’s tastebuds. From a “brewstillery” in Winter Park to craft brews available within the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort properties, here’s where to take a sip of the local beer scene during your visit to Orlando.
Crooked Can Brewing Company
This bustling brewery is located in a spacious indoor-outdoor market along Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Inside, you’ll find vendors selling everything from fresh mini doughnuts to BBQ and yes, craft beer. Take your beer flight and food outdoors to enjoy live music on the patio, which spans the entire length of the building. Visiting Disney Springs? You can sip Crooked Can’s Tri Wishes Grand Irish Red Ale at Raglan Road Irish Pub. Order the pub’s signature collection beer flight to try it along with three other craft selections from Central Florida area brewers.
Cask & Larder
While Cask & Larder’s brewing facility is located at The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, you don’t need to trek far to taste their quality craft brews. You’ll find Cask & Larder’s main location within the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Stop by before or after your flight for a hearty Southern meal paired with locally brewed beer like the Lone Palm Golden Ale and the Dovecote Saison Belgian-style farmhouse ale.
The Bear and Peacock Brewstillery
Central Florida’s first and only “brewstillery” can be found in Winter Park, just minutes from Park Avenue. This inviting space combines the art of distilling spirits and brewing beer under one roof. Popular beers include the Milk Money Milk Stout and Can I Get A Wit-Ness Witbier. Outside, you’ll find a spacious courtyard plus several other local businesses including Create Your Nature Café, specializing in açai and oatmeal bowls, and Foxtail Coffee.
Orange County Brewers
At downtown Orlando’s first craft brewery, Orange County Brewers, beer and pizza is a winning combination. On tap you’ll find tasty creations, like the smooth and light Bleached Blonde Ale and the bold Ultimate Warrior Citra IPA, from head brewer Amanda Roberts. The kitchen offers an impressive selection of creative wood-fired pizzas and wings. For the ultimate feast, visit on Sunday for Beer Brunch featuring omelet-inspired pizzas and beer mimosas.
Orlando Brewing
From the outside, Orlando Brewing’s warehouse district location might not look like much. But inside, the taproom is cozy with local art lining the walls and friendly “beertenders” behind the bar. Orlando Brewing is Florida’s only organic brewery, sourcing and utilizing only the best organic ingredients for their lineup of craft brews. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the organic brewing process on a free tour, offered at 6pm every Monday-Saturday.
Historic Downtown Sanford Breweries
Part of Seminole County nicknamed “Orlando North,” downtown Sanford teems with activity to keep you busy all day long. Within a half-mile radius there are four craft breweries to explore, plus a handful of craft beer bars. Wop’s Hops is the oldest, boasting an impressive tap list of classic and experimental brews, plus a hearty food menu. Don’t leave without trying a Wop-Sicle, an oversized meatball served on a stick with marinara sauce. Continue on to Sanford Brewing for a sip of the Peachy Keen, a saison with strong peach and ginger flavors. The newest breweries to open are Inner Compass Brewing and Deviant Wolfe Brewing, the latter of which features delicious sour beers and a rustic outdoorsy aesthetic.
Bonus: Craft Beer in the Theme Parks
You don’t have to leave the theme parks in order to find quality Florida craft beer. For local flavor, head to any bar within Universal’s Volcano Bay and order the Volcano Blossom, a refreshing pilsner brewed exclusively for the park by Orange Blossom Brewing Company. You’ll also find a selection of four Central Florida craft beers available by the can at a snack cart within Universal Studios. Options include Cigar City’s Jai Alai IPA and Red Cypress Brewery’s Deep Roots Amber Ale.
On Disney property, make your way to Big River Grills & Brewing Works. This restaurant-and-microbrewery-in-one brews their own beer on site and is conveniently located at Disney’s BoardWalk. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you can savor Florida beers from Cigar City Brewing, Funky Buddha, Tampa Bay Brewing, Florida Beer Co. and more throughout various locations in the park.
P.S.: Keep track of your Orlando beer adventure by asking for a free Central Florida Ale Trail map at any of the breweries mentioned above. You’ll receive a stamp when you make a purchase at each brewery. There is no time limit to complete the Ale Trail. Once you’ve reached the finish line, present your map and receive a commemorative Central Florida Ale Trail growler.
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