Grayton Beer Brewpub: More than just beer here!
By Pam Windsor
Sept. 20, 2021
GRAYTON BEACH – Since opening a little more than three years ago, the Grayton Beer Brewpub has become popular for great food and its expansive collection of locally crafted beers.
The menu features something for everybody, with items like the double-stacked burger, smoked wings, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, and specialty entrees that include a dish called Bowl Lotta Love, Steak Frites, and Parmesan Grouper.
“We have a wonderful parmesan grouper,” admitted Arielle Turner, assistant manager at the brewpub. “It is a parmesan-crusted grouper over mashed potatoes with a side of asparagus and it’s delicious!”
There’s also the catch of the day, fried pork chops with collard greens, and Turner’s favorite: the beer cheese nachos. They’re made with tortilla chips, pulled pork, lettuce, tomato, jalapeños, spicy barbecue, and beer cheese.
“Our beer cheese nachos are really, really good!” she says. “And we make our beer cheese here.”
When it comes to actual beer, though, customers can choose from more than 15 different beers on tap, all brewed locally. Some of the more familiar ones are Fish Whistle IPA, 30A Beach Blonde Ale, and 1890 Founder’s Ale. There are also seasonal beers and others with limited availability.
Although the brewpub just opened in 2018, its parent company, Grayton Beer, has been in operation since 2011. The main production facility at 217 Serenoa Road produces most of Grayton’s many beers, but the brewpub does have a 7-barrel small batch system that allows it to brew some specialty beers in-house. Customers can sample individual beers or try a flight of four different pours.
“We have a lot of options for local beer,” Turner explained. “We have a really big selection of IPAs, of different lighter beers. We have also have darker beers and stouts.”
Wine is also available, and bartenders are always standing by, ready to prepare any one of a long list of specialty cocktails like the Whistle Pig Rye Old-Fashioned, the House Margarita, or the Blueberry Blonde Mojito.
The atmosphere is always open and relaxed and guests can dine inside or outside on the patio. Turner says the energy level does increase slightly on Thursday nights when they have Trivia Night, hosted by one of their bartenders.
“We do trivia from 7 to 9 on Thursday nights and it’s a lot of fun,” said Turner. “And we offer different specials on certain pitchers of beer.”
Expansion is on the horizon, as the brewpub is working to open a second location near the Destin Harbor in the former Hogsbreath Saloon.
She says the goal of the Grayton Beer Brewpub is to offer a memorable experience with the best food and beer available, and to have a wonderful time doing it.
“I love the environment here. It’s upbeat and positive and the people here are really wonderful.”
It helps, she adds, that they all love what they do.
Grayton Beer Brewpub is located at 170 E. Co. Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach. They’re serving from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Reach them at 850-213-4000 or www.graytonbrew.com. Seating is first-come, first served.