Bradenton offers 6 local breweries. One to move and offer food under new owner.
Darwin Brewing Company in Bradenton has been purchased by Clearwater-based craft beer maker Big Storm Brewing Co., and there are some big changes in store.
Darwin’s location at 803 17th Ave. W. recently closed, and the new owners are on the hunt for a fresh location, they announced Monday. When it opens, food offerings will join beer on the menu.
Darwin Brewing Company opened at the 17th Street location in Bradenton in May 2014. The concept for the brewery grew out of a Sarasota gastropub and Peruvian restaurant, Darwin’s on 4th, that opened in 2012. The popularity of the Sarasota restaurant’s house-made beers led the owners to open the full-service brewery in Bradenton, where beer offerings could be focused on and expanded. The Bradenton brewery outlasted the Sarasota restaurant, which closed in 2015.
At the time, craft beer’s popularity was sweeping through Florida. Darwin was just the second craft brewery to start up in Manatee County, after Motorworks Brewing. In addition to serving pours in the taproom, Darwin’s beers were also canned and widely distributed throughout the region at grocery and liquor stores.
Now, Big Storm’s owners say they are looking for a new location where they can take Darwin back to its roots as a dining and drinking experience.
“Darwin Brewing Co. has a solid reputation for brewing the highest quality beers with an eye towards innovation and food pairs,” Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni said in a news release. “It is our plan to take the next year to methodically find a new home for Darwin that will allow the brand to find some of its original roots regarding a culinary experience.”
Govoni also said that Big Storm plans to grow Darwin’s “hyper-local brand throughout Florida.”
Big Storm began operations in 2012 in Pasco County. The brewer has since expanding throughout Florida and the Tampa Bay region, adding locations in Clearwater, Orlando and Cape Corral. Big Storm is also slated to open a new 11,000-square-foot taproom and restaurant in Ybor in early 2022. The brewery offers food menus at all of its locations.
An announcement from Big Storm about the buyout was light on details for the future of Darwin, including what type of food will be offered at the new location and whether the brewery’s core beers will once again be distributed in cans.
Lakewood Ranch brewery rebrands
In another recent shake up in the local craft beer scene, owners of Naughty Monk Brewery in Lakewood Ranch announced that the brewery would merge with Sarasota’s Big Top Brewing. The brewery remains at the same location, 507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., but has re-branded to Big Top Brewer’s Collective.
Naughty Monk’s brews have been revamped with new recipes, according to a video recently posted to the business’ Facebook. The beers remain on tap at the location under a new moniker: “Naughty Monk Ale Works.” In addition to the Naughty Monk drinks, the brewer’s collective will also showcase the creations of other local brewers.
Big Top Brewer’s Collective held a grand re-opening party under its new name in November.
Local craft brews near you
As craft beer fans await the opening of the new Darwin concept, there are several other craft taprooms to enjoy in Manatee County. Here’s a rundown:
3 Car Garage Brewing, 8405 Heritage Green Way, Bradenton
3 Keys Brewing and Eatery, 2505 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton
Big Top Brewer’s Collective (formerly Naughty Monk Brewery), 507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
Corporate Ladder Brewing, 4935 96th Street East, Palmetto
Good Liquid Brewing Company, 4824 14th St. W., Bradenton
Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.