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. Planning a night out? Check our Orlando nightlife guide too.
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.
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.
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 experimental beers
For adventurous drinkers. Small-batch, experimental brews. You never know what you'll get—which is the point.
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.
Pro Tips
- Check social media. Many breweries post daily tap lists.
- Bring cash. Some (like Hourglass, Redlight Redlight) are cash-only.
- Go early on weekends. Popular spots fill up fast.
- Ask for samples. Tasters let you try before committing.
- Look for food trucks. Most breweries host them on weekends.
Orlando's brewery scene continues to grow. These are the best—start here and explore from there. Cheers! 🍻
