Miami may be best known for its beautiful weather, large Hispanic population, and beaches, but Magic City has a growing a diverse brewery scene that’s quickly gaining respect.
I recently spent a couple of weeks in the 305, and I got to check out some of the beer scene. Unfortunately the end of my trip coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdowns, so there were a few places on my list that I didn’t get to visit. Still, I came away impressed with the Miami brewery scene.
J Wakefield Brewing
J Wakefield was high on my list because of their reputation as one of the best breweries in Miami, and they did not disappoint. The smallish taproom is a shrine to Star Wars, with huge murals on the wall that were painted by local artists. The place fits in well in the trendy art-focused Wynwood neighborhood, which is full of warehouses that have been repurposed as breweries, galleries, and restaurants.
The tap list is full of sours and IPAs, but the beer that impressed me was the El Jefe Hefeweizen. It’s not usually a style that I go for, but it was recommended by the bartender and rated high, so I gave it a try. It’s a perfect beer to help beat the Miami heat.
I also tried some IPAs, including Three the Hard Way, a 10% ABV triple IPA that blew my mind. They’re also well known for their high ABV stouts, and while I didn’t try any, I’m sure they’re amazing as well.
Concrete Beach Brewery
In the same Wynwood neighborhood is Concrete Beach Brewery, a member of A&S Brewing Collaborative, an independent subsidiary of Boston Beer Co/Samuel Adams. Along with Los Angeles’ Angel City Brewery and Brooklyn’s Coney Island Brewery, Concrete Beach is part of a fun incubator that is helping grow craft beer in some unique settings.
The taproom is a large warehouse space that’s open and airy with a seamless transition from the inside with an artsy modern flair to the outdoor patio space. They have a huge round bar that extends both inside and outside.
Concrete Beach had way more lagers on tap than you typically see at a craft brewery, so the Boston Beer influence is definitely there. I came away impressed with both their Havana Lager (Vienna lager) and Cantina Lager (light lager), as well as their Miami Gras farmhouse ale and even the Mas Hops triple IPA.
Tripping Animals Brewing
Tripping Animals is located west of Miami in Doral, and the owners are originally from Venezuela where they began homebrewing about a decade ago. The brewery has a trendy feel in a huge industrial space with a large L-shaped bar as the centerpiece. They also offer food in the form of some amazing sandwiches from Gorilla City Sandwiches.
Each one of their beers features an animal with some amazing chalkboard art. Their styles run the gamut from lagers to New England IPAs, with some sours and farmhouse ales thrown in. I really enjoyed the Koopa Troopa Pils, Ever Haze New England IPA, and El Turpial farmhouse ale with Blackberry & Sage.
M.I.A. Beer Company
M.I.A. Beer Company has great branding with bright cans that stand out on shelves, making them a fast-riser in the Miami and Florida scene. The brewery’s taproom is located just down the street from Tripping Animals in an office park. It’s a little bit of a tough spot for a taproom, but they make it work with tons of wood and cozy vibes inside.
M.I.A. has really made their name with a hard sparking water line, but their beer is great too. Again, I was surprised by their extensive lager offering, including Suevamente, an India Pale Lager. Their most popular beer is Miami Weiss, a hefeweizen whose name is a play on Miami Vice. They of course also offer IPAs.
Abbey Brewing Company
Abbey Brewing Company is Miami Beach’s only craft brewery, but you wouldn’t know that you’re just steps away from one of the most famous beaches in the world upon entering this place. It’s a dark space that reminds me more of a European pub than a brewery or a definitely a tiki bar.
The European feel comes with some distinctly European beer offerings, including Belgian and German styles. It makes sense that they’d offer European styles, as the brewery first opened in 1995 way before the current craft beer boom. Their beer is actually contract brewed at Indian River Brewing Company in Melbourne, Florida, including their Belgian Dubbel and Quad. I really enjoyed Father Ray’s Schwartzweizen, a schwarzbier that surprisingly fits in perfectly with South Florida as a light drinking dark beer. They also offer an IPA and an oatmeal stout.