Lager Than Life: Central Florida’s Local Brews

A fruity cocktail by the pool might be synonymous with a sunny getaway, but variety’s the spice (or in this case, ice) of life. Sometimes, nothing beats the Florida heat like a cold beer. 

There are some fantastic local craft breweries to check out when you visit Kissimmee. Sample a few sips in their onsite taprooms or grab a growler to take back to your vacation home. Or, both! After all, you’re on vacation. Here are a few of our favorite spots in Central Florida to cool off with a craft beer.

Dead Lizard Brewing Company

This microbrewery is located near The Mall at Millenia, making it the perfect place to quench your thirst after a shopping spree. (Wondering what shops to hit at the mall? We’ve got you covered with this guide to shopping at the Mall of Millenia.) Try one of their fruity concoctions like the Key Lime Chameleon Cream-Sic-Ale, Strawberry Rhubarb Tilted Tonic, or Orange Ya Glad I Didn't Say Banana Hefeweizen.

Half Barrel Beer Project

Half Barrel gets its name from their experimental approach to brewing. Their small-batch system means they can be more adventurous with their recipes. Over in the taproom, Half Barrel serves an ever-changing lineup of some of the tastiest craft beers from around the region and across the country. Got a happy hour companion who prefers wine to beer? No problem! Half Barrel pours Orlando’s own Quantum Leap Winery libations as well.

Broken Cauldron Brewery & Taproom

Broken Cauldron boasts two breweries (Broken Strings Brewery and Black Cauldron Brewing) under one roof, and one epic taproom that pours a dozen delicious offerings from both joints. Broken Strings’ hoppy brews pay homage to music legends with punny names like Purple Mane Pale Ale and Rind Melon Watermelon Saison. Broken Cauldron’s malt-forward, bewitching brews include the Ruckus Red Ale and Black Rose Immortal Stout.

Ellipsis Brewing

Hop off the plane and head straight to this brewery, thanks to its prime location near the Orlando International Airport. The Ellipsis Brewery is a passion project from a group of homebrewers who took their hobbies to the next level and went legit. Now, they’ve got 7,500 square feet of work space and have brewed more than 14,000 gallons of beer. Their taproom is dog-friendly and family friendly, with lots of TVs, games, and – of course – lots of beer to sample. On select nights they host trivia, live music, and local food trucks.

Island Grove Wine Company

OK, we’re cheating a little—Island Grove isn’t a brewery, it’s a winery. And it’s an excellent one at that! Wine lovers will enjoy their selection of fruit wines, like the Backporch Peach and the Blueberry Moscato. But if you prefer hops to grapes, Island Grove has got you covered. They showcase a variety of craft beers from Florida and across the country, and host regular tap takeovers. Looking for a caffeine fix in addition to some wine and beer? Island Grove has a café, bakery, and a bistro onsite as well! You could easily spend the whole day sipping and snacking on their tasty treats.

Pitcher This: A Brew-tiful Vacation in Kissimmee

Thirsty yet? No need to be bitter! A Florida vacation will cure whatever ales you. We can barley wait to welcome you to the sunshine state. Hop to it! Here’s where to start planning your trip.