Bradenton area breweries reopening tap rooms during COVID-19. Food is the key ingredient
The Bradenton craft beer scene is beginning to regain its footing after a rough couple of months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Good Liquid Brewing Company, 4824 14th St. W., Bradenton, has its own kitchen, serving gastropub-style fare, and never had to totally close because it was able to offer beer and food to-go sales.
“Unfortunately, like most businesses, we did have to furlough the majority of our staff. My husband and I, plus our head chef, were the only ones working during this time,” said Sandra Krail, who owns the business with her husband Mike.
The veteran-owned business opened in December 2017 with more than 40 taps of beer.
Three weeks ago, Good Liquid Brewing was able to open its dining area and beer garden at 25 percent capacity for on-site dining and drinking.
Tables were removed and spaced to accommodate “social distancing” rules inside and outside.
“We offer to-go as an option for those still not comfortable dining in. Tables and seats are being cleaned/sanitized after every customer,” she said.
Last week, Good Liquid increased its seating to 50 percent of capacity and brought back more employees.
“We are still operating with limited hours and menu for the time being. We are holding off on bringing back bingo and trivia nights,” she said.
At Darwin Brewing Company, 803 17th Ave. W., the reopening has been a little different. Like Good Liquid, Darwin was able to offer to-go beer sales throughout the pandemic. But when Gov. Ro DeSantis allowed breweries to reopen for dining in, Darwin, lacking a kitchen, needed a little more time.
Darwin Brewery owner Bill Cornelius partnered with the Willie Yum food truck to reopen the tap room Thursday at 50 percent capacity.
Cornelis plans to open the tap room starting at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at noon Saturday and Sunday.
“It feels good. It feels like a sense of normalcy to see people on the street, and feeling better,” Cornelius said.
As part of the reopening of the tap room, Cornelius plans to introduce a new beer each Thursday, starting with “Juicy Dayze, which he describes as a fruity IPA.
At Corporate Ladder Brewing Company, 4935 96th St. E., owner Blake Kleppe continues to offer to-go sales, but has not set a reopening date.
“We are smack dab in the process of trying to figure out how we can do it safely for customers and staff,” Kleppe said.
Corporate Ladder does not have a kitchen and usually brings food in from T.K. Grill and Barbeque, which is located next door, or a food truck.
“The governor’s office didn’t explicitly say if bringing in food from next door would be acceptable,” Kleppe said, adding that he is trying to get an interpretation.
Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., announced last week that it had reopened to the public for the first time in more than two months.
During the time it was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Motorworks made hand sanitizer, renovated the taproom, made improvements to the brewery’s water filtration syste, and extended the beer garden deck.
Other breweries in Manatee County that have reopened include Naughty Monk Brewery, 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., 3 Keys Brewing and Eatery, 2505 Manatee Ave. E., and 3 Car Garage Brewing Company, 8405 Heritage Green Way.
Manatee County is also home to Loaded Cannon Distillery, 3115 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Loaded Cannon, which makes spirits such as rum, vodka, and whiskey, has reopened its tasting room and resumed offering tours to groups of no more than six. All staff members wear masks and gloves.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
