Brew Bus Finds a New Home

The Tampa-based brewery tour operator and 2015 Great American Beer Festival silver medalist announced the purchase of Florida Avenue Brewing Company back in December and is currently finishing a $250,000 renovation. Brew Bus, which plans to open the Seminole Heights, Florida facility in March, will continue to brew Florida Avenue’s flagship beers, Florida Avenue Ale and Florida Avenue IPA.

“This is a giant step forward in our company’s history,” said Anthony Derby, president and founder of Brew Bus in a prepared statement. “The purchase of Florida Avenue Brewing allows us to continue brewing these great brands and it creates a permanent home for Brew Bus. We are excited for our future, and we look forward to opening the doors and welcoming the public to our new home.”

The remodeled space will carry the Brew Bus name and will operate as the center of the company’s growing tour bus operation. In addition to the tasting room remodel, Brew Bus is upgrading and expanding the brewery to include a 20-barrel brewing system. The renovated brewery will allow Brew Bus to brew both the Brew Bus and Florida Avenue brands under one roof. A rebrand including new logos, can designs and recipes for Florida Avenue is planned for the third quarter of 2016.

Brew Bus was founded in 2011 by Derby. The company transports guests to more than 100 breweries and destinations throughout Tampa, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale with its fleet of buses. Brew Bus Brewing produced approximately 1,800 barrels in 2015. The expansion will allow increase volume to nearly 5,000 barrels which means the company can produce more of its award-winning blueberry wheat ale, You’re My Boy, Blue!. The beer was awarded a silver medal in the Fruit Wheat category at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival.

Until renovations are complete, Brew Bus is brewing their Brew Bus and Florida Avenue beers with Lakeland, Florida’s Brew Hub, a partnership it started in 2015.

“We are thrilled to help Brew Bus during this period of growth,” said Tim Schoen, CEO of Brew Hub. “Our motto is, ‘Where Craft Brewers Go To Grow,’ and this is another successful example how and why our partner-brewing model works. With more capacity and packaging options, we offer the recourses and flexibility brewers like Brew Bus need during times of growth and increased demand.”

 

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