Hop on Over to a Local Brewery

by: Kelly Stilwell

Bradenton may not be officially part of an ale trail (yet!), but we’ve definitely got a handful of fantastic local craft beer spots. If you like the feeling of hanging out where everybody knows your name, a craft brewery visit should definitely be in your near future.

Many on this list have outdoor seating which usually means they are also pet friendly. Most also have food in the form of visiting food trucks. A good way to keep
up is to follow each brewery on Facebook or Instagram where most of them post schedules for entertainment and food.

Whether you want to stop in for a pint, a flight, or you’re looking to pair a beer with delicious food, check out Bradenton’s local brew pubs and support local.

MOTORWORKS

You’ll find award-winning craft beer as well as cocktails and food at Motorworks. With the largest beer garden in the entire state at 22,000 square feet, do sit outside. Find a spot in the shade under that gorgeous 150-year-old oak tree glittering in string lights. There’s also a bar inside with more seating. Motorworks partners with a few food trucks so you’ll have a wide variety of choices. With events like live music on their outdoor stage, trivia, yoga and Latin dance night, there’s something for everyone. Pet-friendly.
1014 9th St. West | 941-567-6218
motorworksbrewing.com/bradenton

OAK & STONE

With five locations within an hour or so, Bradenton’s Oak & Stone is located in the downtown area right across from the Riverwalk on the roof of the Springhill Suites Hotel. Though they don’t make any brews in-house, they have partnered with Big Storm Brewing to create the Oak & Stone Snowbird Pilsner. Get your wristband and choose from over 60 beers on the tap wall, including ciders and seltzers. You only
pay for what you pour. Oak & Stone has their own kitchen and the food is upscale from what you’d expect at a brewery. Try the Voodoo Chicken Sandwich or the Tuna Poke Bowl.
1201 First Avenue West | 941-357-4306
downtown-bradenton.oakandstone.com

3 CAR GARAGE

You might miss 3 Car Garage if you didn’t know about it. Located in a strip center off SR 64, this small small batch craft brewery has around 15 beers on tap. With visiting food trucks Wednesday through Sunday, you can pick your favorite food and enjoy it at a picnic table outside or join the fun inside in the air conditioning. 3 Car Garage has Bingo on Mondays, Music Bingo on Wednesdays, live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, a game cabinet and cornhole outside. Pet-friendly.
8405 Heritage Green Way, Bradenton | 941-741-8877
3cargaragebrewing.com

BIG TOP BREWERS COLLECTIVE

Formerly The Naughty Monk, Big Top Brewing Company took over this location to give locals a taste of the first craft brewery in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. You’ll find 18 beers on tap, all brewed in-house by the Big Top Brewers Collective. Food is provided by Bubbaque’s BBQ. Come out for Beer Bingo on Mondays, Trivia on Tuesdays, Run Club on Wednesdays, Open Mike on Thursdays, and take in the live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Outdoor seating. Pet-friendly.
2507 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard | 941-708-2966
www.bigtopbrewing.com/bigtopbrewerscollectivebeerlist

MAGNANIMOUS BREWERY

Originally started in Tampa, Magnanimous is now in the former home of Darwin Brewing in West Bradenton. With 18 beers on tap, many in collaboration with other breweries, there’s a lot to choose from. Try the Imperial Stout with coffee and pistachios. Chow down at Nashville’s King of the Coop food truck five days per week. Outdoor patio. Dog-friendly outside. Frequent special events to support the community.
803 17th Avenue West | 941-219-5810
magnanimousbrewing.com

CORPORATE LADDER

With a focus on fruited sours, adjunct stouts, barrel-aged sours and stouts, and lagers, Corporate Ladder has 16 or so beers on tap. You have to love their motto: Each beer is dedicated to forgetting
every cubicle that you’ve ever sat in and to every boss who just didn’t quite get it. Many of the names reflect their mission statement: Job Security Sour, Bean Counter Stout, Paperweight Pilsner. The menu also features a handful of dessert beers
like Mango Key Lime Pie a la Mode. You can enjoy food trucks on some Tuesdays, Friday or Saturday and every Sunday. Cornhole is available. Stop by for Beer Yoga in the Beer Garden on the second
and fourth Sunday of every month at 11 am. Yoga is $15 per person and includes a beer. Pet-friendly outside.
4935 96th Street East, Palmetto | 941-479-4799
corporateladderbrewing.com

3 KEYS BREWERY

Voted best brewery in the Tampa Bay area, 3 Keys has rotating taps that change every week.

Try the St Krampus created by Kira, bartender/ server extraordinaire. This is one of the few breweries that has their own kitchen. Order the pretzel. You won’t be sorry. Seating inside and out. Check their events calendar for live music, axe throwing and more. Pet-friendly.
2505 Manatee Avenue East | 941-218-0396
www.3keysbrewing.com