Cheers! Celebrate National Beer Day at one of Orlando’s newest breweries
Grab your favorite pint glass or growler and head out on the town – today is National Beer Day.
The American holiday first came about when Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act in March of 1933, which allowed for the sale of low-alcohol beer and wine. The act took effect on April 7, 1933. After signing the act, FDR reportedly remarked, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”
With a rapidly expanding craft brewery scene, Orlando is the perfect place to celebrate such an occasion. Here are a few of the ones that have opened very recently.
Rockpit Brewing
Nestled in Orlando’s SoDo neighborhood, Rockpit Brewing was established in 2017 by four Orlando locals with ancestral roots in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Their mission is to bring “the same bluecollar work ethic our ancestors brought to our brewery.” From tables to the bar, nearly everything inside the brewery was hand built by the owners.
Rockpit has been “soft open” since Feb. 14 and has about a dozen original beers on tap. From an Irish red ale to their “Cackler IPA,” there’s something available at this brewery for almost any palette.
If you go: Rockpit Brewing (10 W Illiana St., Orlando) has its soft open hours from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday and 12 p.m.-12 a.m. on Friday-Saturday.
Tactical Brewing Co.
Located on New Broad Street in downtown Baldwin Park, Tactical Brewing Co. first opened its doors for a soft opening in November 2018. The new brewery is owned and operated by veterans and “cool people that love America and great beer.”
On tap is a selection of 11 original brews. Veterans and first responders receive a 10% discount.
On Sunday, the brewery will feature live music and a Lyft promotion that gives riders a 50% discount on two rides to and from participating breweries in order to discourage driving and driving.
If you go: Tactical Brewing Co. (4882 New Broad St., Orlando) is currently open 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
Sideward Brewing Co.
Tucked inside a 100-year-old renovated warehouse, Sideward Brewing Co. is the Milk District’s newest watering hole. Cofounders Mandy Protheroe, Garrett Ward,
and Austin Ward all have backgrounds in the brewing industry.
Within the last few years, they decided to start their own brewing venture. After finding the perfect location next to Stasio’s Italian Deli, Sideward soft opened in early March. At their grand opening on March 30, the brewery debuted six new beers.
Although Sideward is working to open on Sundays, they don’t currently have such hours. What you can do is celebrate National Beer Day early on Friday or Saturday with their selection of IPAs, cider, a stout and a Florida Weiss.
If you go: Sideward Brewing Co. (210 N Bumby Ave., Orlando) is open Tuesday-Saturday from 3 p.m.-10 p.m.