10 Best Breweries in City Center

"Much has changed since Wynwood Brewing Company opened its doors in 2013. The neighborhood, once home to warehouses and pop up art shows and galleries, has become a destination shopping and dining area. And though the city now has several breweries churning out unique beers, Wynwood was the first craft brewery in Miami, and it still ranks at the top of the list, pouring favorites like the Blonde Ale, barrel-aged Strong Ales, a changing roster of seasonal brews and its Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal-winning Pop’s Porter, a robust brew with hints of chocolate and coffee with a smooth, dry finish."

"You will have to go off the beaten path to find the Wynwood Brewing Company. It is located in a trendy yet chill area close to the Wynwood Walls, a couple blocks from the strip. This brewery holds the distinction of being the first craft brewery in Miami."

"The craft beer scene is here in South Florida with the opening of the Miami Brewing Company—the region’s first craft brewery—at Schnebly Redland’s Winery in Homestead. The family-owned operation uses the tropical fruits and flavors..."

"Wakefield consistently serves up some of the best craft brews in the area, direct from its Star Wars-themed brewery and tap room in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. El Jefe, a German Hefeweizen brewed with coconut flakes, is a long-time favorite here, but the special releases are gems to keep an eye out for."

"For craft beer nerds, J. Wakefield and Concrete Beach make some of the city’s best local brews. Cocktail enthusiasts will love the speakeasy-like back room at Coyo Taco – you’ll just walk through the door at the back of the restaurant marked “Staff Only” to access the hidden, dimly-lit mezcal lounge."

"If you aren't careful, you could mistake the front of the graffiti-covered J. Wakefield Brewing as just another art installation in the many creative Wynwood Walls. However, this is the tap room you are looking for, complete with Star Wars décor."

"If you are looking for a trendy Wynwood brewery, then check out Veza Sur. The large black wall branding the brewery is extremely hard to miss. 10 Barrel Brewing Company and Colombia’s Bogata Beer Company joined together to provide an interesting and cozy location that has a feel reminiscent of a home library or den. On the menu, you will find choices that include:"

"Located north of Downtown Miami, Veza Sur Brewing Co. stays true to its Latin-American roots, right in the creative Wynwood neighborhood. Veza Sur doesn’t disappoint with creativity either. Recently, they dropped a coffee porter slushy with Twix bars on top."

"Bars Breweries Wynwood. Happy hour: Yes, $2 chopp Mon–Fri, 4–7pm. Standout beer: The Michelada"

"The Tank Brewing Co. is one of the newer breweries in Miami, and it’s pretty impressive, too. Home to a 4,000 square-foot tap room that can host up to 600 people, go here for 16 different Miami-inspired brews on tap, like La Finca Miami, Freedom Tower, La Playita, Byronic Brown, Rye-Lingual, El Farito and more. When you need some food to soak up the alcohol, fill up on chicken chicharrones, wings, tostonnes, tempura cauliflower, ham croqueta preparada, guava manchego burger, bacon burger or the “Angry Vegetarian” and bone marrow fried chips from Twisted Fork Kitchen, which sits in-house at The Tank Brewing Co. 5100 NW 72nd Avenue, Bay A1, Miami, FL 33166."

"At The Tank, cigars and beer don’t make for such strange bedfellows. Clocking in at 25,000-square-feet, there’s plenty of room for brewing, drinking and then lighting up a stogie at the adjacent cigar lounge. From an English-style brown ale to a tropical pale ale, the brewery’s three-barrel system allows them to crank out a new beer every week."

"Where to find it: 5100 NW 72nd Avenue, Bay A1, Miami, FL 33166. Review: Extremely friendly and welcoming staff, ambient, delicious burgers. This is one of our absolute favorite Miami bars."

"Head west and you’ll be rewarded with the self-proclaimed “weirdest brewery” in the city. The staff here might have an irreverent sense of humor, but the beer they produce is serious business. American IPAs, imperial stouts and barrel-aged browns are served up in an eclectic warehouse space, complete with cushy couches, barrel tables and a bar top featuring thousands of pennies—a shout-out to the brewery’s namesake—that have been painstakingly glued on by hand."

"Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co. has an absolute ball putting on events like you could never predict. Before stopping by Lincoln’s Beard Brewing, check their site for any themed events going on. They did an emo-themed karaoke night recently."

"Bars Breweries Industrial Area (Tropical Park). Happy hour: Yes, Mon–Fri 4–6pm; Tue 4–11pm"

"Beginning distribution in 2014, Biscayne Bay Brewing Company didn’t open with a 3,400 square-foot taproom until 2016. Lucky for Doral drinkers, it keeps 15 rotating beers on tap, a handful of which are its own brews. Unique to its competition, this brewery has a temperature-controlled barrel-aging room that allows it to create whiskey barrel-aged beers like La Salida, El Roble and Buenas Noches."

"Breweries and children don’t tend to go hand-in-hand, but at Biscayne Bay Brewing every Saturday kids under 12 eat for free off a menu, which features a cheese pizza, grilled cheese sandwich, and chicken fingers. Available from noon to 3 p.m. View this post on Instagram"

"Bars Breweries Doral. Happy hour: Yes, Mon–Fri 3–7pm. Standout beer: La Colada"

"Located in Fort Lauderdale, 30 miles north of Miami, a trip to Riverside Market is worth every second spent in I-95 traffic. What awaits is a selection of over 650 craft beer bottles carefully displayed in self-serve coolers around the shop and 20 drafts in constant rotation. It’s a thrilling game of hops-and-seek here—you never know what owner Julian Siegel has stocked on any given day."

"Open every day from 1pm-5am since 1995, Abbey Brewing Co. is Miami Beach’s oldest and only brew pub. At this dive bar, sip one of BrewMaster Raymond Rigazio’s Abbey house beers—which are brewed at the Indian River Brewing Company, in Melbourne, FL—or choose one of ten special Belgian or American microbrews on tap, or hard-to-find Trappist Ales, British Barley wines, port wines and a wide assortment of micro-distilled fine spirits. No matter what you order, be sure break for a cigar and a dart game."

"No Miami beer list is complete without paying its due respects to the Abbey. During South Beach’s models and bottles heyday, The Abbey was brewing delicious hand-crafted beer from its perch off of Lincoln Road. Today, the space has expanded and evolved since its opening in 1995, and features four house taps (including the Immaculate IPA and Brother Aaron’s Quadruple), 10 guest lines, and a solid bar menu."

"Unseen Creatures Brewinghas the motto: “Push limits all while focusing on balance and drinkability”. These farmhouse-inspired wild ales found their place right in the heart of the Bird Road Art District in Miami. The name “Unseen Creatures” is inspired by the yeast and bacteria in beer."

"With about a dozen specialty beers on tap (plus seasonal selections) and another half-dozen or so microbrews in bottle, Titanic may not have the biggest selection, but there's no arguing that this brewery and restaurant has the most flavorful, carefully crafted beer in town. Brewmaster Jamie Ray whips up at least half of the daily draught offerings, including the evocatively named Boiler Room Nut Brown Ale and Triple Screw light ale, and he keeps receiving national awards for them at competitions where the judges, for the record, never spit. Then there are all the beer-related events -- live blues-and-brews, Mug Club specials, name-that-brewski contests, University of Miami sports nights, Brewmaster dinners, free T-shirt happy hours."

"In 1982 two Florida International University students in their early twenties, Patrick Gleber and Kevin Rusk, helped transform Miami's oldest bar, Tobacco Road, from a decrepit, crime-ridden dive into one of the most popular food and music venues in the county. Then came Fishbone Grille, continuing a tradition of excellent food at a moderate price. So in 1997, when Rusk announced he was going to start a brew pub in Coral Gables, it seemed a recipe for success."

"First Watch is an award-winning Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch favorite that specializes in both traditional and innovative creations all freshly prepared to order. Coral Gables Love reader Leo recommends the skillet hash farmhouse style. First Watch is located at 5799 NW 7th St, Miami, FL."

"The gist: Giorgio Rapicivoli gets into his Italian roots, opening up shop along Coral Gables’ sunny Giralda Plaza.The food: We knew it was only a matter of time until Chopped champ and local restaurant impresario Giorgio Rapicivoli delved into the world of Italian cuisine. As expected, he’s put some genius twists on the standards, like wagyu beef carpaccio with crispy sunchokes and little gem lettuce with cacio y pepe dressing. The pastas are all worth a try, though the short rib Bolognese will have you rethinking every meat sauce you’ve ever had."

"Luca is Giorgio Rapicavoli’s delicious salute to his home country, serving up modern interpretations of Italian classics. Why we love it: We know this is a restaurant list, but we’re going to lead with cocktails. Luca’s impressive list of Italian standards and reinvented classics deserves serious praise."

"While sipping away on Tap 42’s bottomless mimosas, opt for the white chocolate chip pancakes to go with them. Made with plenty of white chocolate chips and topped with strawberries, powdered sugar, and whipped cream, they might be the only thing you won’t regret in the morning."

"If anyone knows me they know that I believe in customer service. This place has that on lock. Ambience: this spot has a lounge type feel."

"For a taste of Europe without having to hop on a plane, look no further than Costa Med in Key Biscayne. Since 2003, this local favorite has been the site of many a celebration. This cozy bistro is known for its exquisite cuisine and diverse wine list—two big requirements for any date night."

"Making sure both your stomach and your wallet are full: That's what the folks at Mama Jennie's, home to delicious, reasonably priced Italian comfort food, have been doing for more than 30 years. Hearty soup or crispy salad with your choice of dressing (the zesty house vinaigrette is a favorite) and garlic rolls lightly doused in flavorful oil begin your meal. Myriad main courses include whopping servings of classics such as baked ziti with meatballs; veal Parmesan; eggplant rollatini; lasagna; gnocchi; and stuffed shells, all accompanied by Mama's lively marinara sauce."