Florida beer scene advice, please! Panhandle to Orlando

[Edb7]

I called on our HBT members for a Georgia trip in the past and was blown away by the help! I am hoping to achieve the same from any Floridian beer lovers.

I will fly into Panama City, drive across to St. George's Island, and then drive across to Orlando. This will be a two-week trip and I would like to know if there are any "must-sample" breweries while I am in the area, whether we are talking brewery visit or what to grab at the liquor store. Any awesome liquor stores to stop by for local advice / large offerings?

My tastes: IPA and Pales, Stouts and Porters, and Pilsners. Not a fan of 'beers' made with fruit or other random flavors (sorry, Dogfish Brewery.. although your 60-minute is a wonderful beer). Thanks in advance! I'd love to pay it forward to any Chicago-area travelers.

Appreciatively,

Ed

 

[ArcaneXor]

Cigar City Jai Alai and Intuition I-10 IPA are very nice, and Swamp Head Big Nose is pretty good as well. First Magnitude Drift if you like a good Mild. Cigar City's Marshal Zhukov's is an awesome stout, but it's unlikely you'll be able to find it this time of the year.

 

[Edb7]

I have heard Cigar City froma few pals: is their stuff distributed throughout the state? Thanks again

Cigar City Jai Alai and Intuition I-10 IPA are very nice, and Swamp Head Big Nose is pretty good as well. First Magnitude Drift if you like a good Mild. Cigar City's Marshal Zhukov's is an awesome stout, but it's unlikely you'll be able to find it this time of the year.

 

[ArcaneXor]

Cigar City is pretty widely distributed, at least their regular beers like Jai Alai, Maduro (which is also great), etc. I also really like their Cubano Espesso. If you can swing it, their taproom is well-worth visiting, but it sounds like it's a bit out of the way for you. See http://cigarcitybrewing.com/find-ccb-beer/ for their distribution list.

If you are going to Disney World, find the bar in Epcot's Italy. The guy in charge of beer ordering tries to have a craft beer or two there whenever possible.

In Orlando, stop by Redlight Redlight, which is a nice craft beer bar.

 

[tally350z]

Not much when you start getting into the St George Island, Tallahassee area. There is one brewery in Apalachicola, but they really don't make anything that is a must have. Tallahassee has a few spots but again not much to go out of your way to get. I would agree with waiting until you get to Cigar City and spend the most around that area.