Craft beer, also often called artisan beer, is beer that hasn't been mass produced. Mass produced beers generally share similar preparations and taste, while craft beer is of a higher quality--no preservatives, more flavorful, original.
The number 5 beer bar in America is right here in Sarasota. Cock & Bull (975 Cattlemen Rd., the-cock-n-bull.com ) is off the beaten path. Even locals that live quite a distance from the Cock and Bull continue to go because it manages to feel like a neighborhood bar and even a little like home. On any given night, there could be bands playing, a bonfire roaring outside or a movie night inside. There’s pool, darts, pub fare and, of course, great beer.
The huge selection of beer spanning the bar wall includes everything from hard-to-find beers like Lambic in a variety of flavors (framboise-rapsberry, peche-peach, cassis-blackcurrant and more) to jugs of Mississippi Mud. In addition to the huge bottle selection, they have a lot of original, delicious and often unseen beers on tap.
Ask the bartenders for suggestions. They know what they’re talking about and they’re likely to suggest something you’ve never tried before. Just let them know what you like in a beer!
In Gulf Gate, a neighborhood chockfull of little bars, you'll find Mr. Beery's (2645 Mall Dr., 941-343-2854, www.mrbeeryssrq.com) and Sarasota Brewing Company (6607 Gateway Ave., 941-925-2337, www.sarasotabrewing.com).
Mr. Beery's has plenty of Dogfish Head beers on tap, as well as some Cigar City beers. Their selection, which is also rotating, often includes seasonal and local beers. The bartenders will let you taste any beer that stirs your curiosity. In addition to bar seating, there are big, cushy chairs and sofas in the back. Beery’s patrons can also order food from a selection of area restaurants that will deliver to you at the bar.
Sarasota Brewing Company brews its own beer on site and also offers brewery tours. The beers range from light to dark, with amber and English beers on tap. You'll also find a large menu of pub grub.
Try 500 beers at World of Beer (8217 Tourist Center Dr., 941-306-5868, sarasota.wobusa.com), located off University Parkway. The rotating menu features draft beers like Magic Hat #9, Delirium Tremens and Dogfish Head brews. There's also live music and monthly cook-outs on site.
Hoppy Endings (2920 Beneva Rd., 941-924-0283), which replaced T'Katz Pub, is a true neighborhood bar. Situated on Beneva and Webber, it's the place to go if you want to play pool, eat wings and drink beer that's not the norm. Young's Double Chocolate and Cigar City beers are on draft and over 50 bottles of craft beer will be offered.
Shakespeare's English Pub (3550 South Osprey Ave., 941-364-5938, www.shakespearespubsarasota.com) in midtown serves up 80 bottled beers like Lambic and Hoegaarden and has 15 beers on tap, including special and guest drafts. The menu is traditional English and Irish (think bangers and mash, chips with curry sauce), but you'll find familiar fare, as well.
Growler’s Pub (2831 N. Tamiami Trl., 941-487-7373, www.growlersonline.com) has 30 beers on tap, darts, pool and an outdoor patio. Special beers on tap rotate, but have included fun and unexpected ones like Old Speckled Hen from the UK and the cutely named Hoplanta from Georgia.
You’ll also find great beer at midtown and downtown restaurants, if you prefer a glass of beer with dinner rather than in a bar atmosphere. Billy’s Beer Blog, a Tampa Bay area blog dedicated to craft beer (www.billysbeerblog.com) recommends Oskar Blues G’Knight, an Imperial red ale from a Colorado Brewery, which he enjoyed at Libby’s (1917 S. Osprey Ave., 941-487-7300, www.libbyscafebar.com).
As the blogger wisely points out, Sarasota was once more of a wine town. Over the past couple years, we expanded our horizons to the point where we not only have craft beer, but are actually a craft beer destination.
With the array of craft beer bars popping up all over town, coupled with great food, scenery and weather, there's really no better place to kick back and have a beer than right here in Sarasota.
