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Florida Matters: Craft Beer In Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay area is becoming a hub for craft beer both statewide and nationally, with the highest density of breweries in Florida. This week on Florida Matters, host Robin Sussingham speaks with people who work in the industry about the craft beer phenomenon.

Click here to listen to our program on the craft beer scene in the Tampa Bay region.

We alsovisit a research farm in southern Hillsborough County where scientists are growing more than 14 strains of hops, a key ingredient in beer that is typically grown in places far from Tampa Bay - like the Pacific Northwest.

Our guests include:

Neil Callaghan, El Lector at Cigar City Brewing in Tampa

Danie Dahm, Co-owner of Mastry’s Brewing Co. in St. Pete Beach

Sean Nordquist, Executive Director of the Florida Brewers Guild

Are you a fan of craft beer? What’s your favorite kind to drink? Favorite brewery? Share your feedback on our Facebookpage, tweet @FloridaMatters or email FloridaMatters@wusf.org.

During this week’s episode of our podcast Florida Matters More, we do a “Craft Beer 101” of sorts, and even sample a couple flavors! Listen to our discussionto learn more about the different kinds of beer and how major corporations can influence the craft scene.

Mastry's Brewing Co. in St. Pete Beach considers itself more of a "mom-and-pop" brewery. From your seat at the bar you can see vats of beer brewing in the back room.
Mastry's Brewing Co. /
Mastry's Brewing Co. in St. Pete Beach considers itself more of a "mom-and-pop" brewery. From your seat at the bar you can see vats of beer brewing in the back room.
Cigar City Brewing got into Tampa's craft beer scene just as it was taking off and has since grown immensely. The company is now part of a national brewery collective called CANarchy.
Cigar City Brewing /
Cigar City Brewing got into Tampa's craft beer scene just as it was taking off and has since grown immensely. The company is now part of a national brewery collective called CANarchy.
If you're not familiar with craft beer but are thinking about giving it a try, consider visiting a local tasting room. You can ask brewers for advice about which beers to sample.
Cigar City Brewing /
If you're not familiar with craft beer but are thinking about giving it a try, consider visiting a local tasting room. You can ask brewers for advice about which beers to sample.
As breweries expand, some decide there is strength in numbers and team up with other companies to save money on equipment, raw materials, etc.
Cigar City Brewing /
As breweries expand, some decide there is strength in numbers and team up with other companies to save money on equipment, raw materials, etc.
Sean Nordquist with the Florida Brewers Guild says, by far, India Pale Ales or "IPA's" are the most popular style of craft beer, although the hoppy flavor isn't for everybody.
Cigar City Brewing /
Sean Nordquist with the Florida Brewers Guild says, by far, India Pale Ales or "IPA's" are the most popular style of craft beer, although the hoppy flavor isn't for everybody.

Copyright 2018 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7

Stephanie Colombini joined WUSF Public Media in December 2016 as Producer of Florida Matters, WUSF’s public affairs show. She’s also a reporter for WUSF’s Health News Florida project.
Robin is Senior Editor at WUSF, spearheading the station's podcasting initiatives and helping to guide the vision for special reporting projects and creative storytelling. She hosts the weekly current affairs program, Florida Matters, on WUSF and also created The Zest, the station's podcast that's all about food, which she continues to host and serve as senior producer.