Cheers to beach beers! Taking a look at local breweries
Grayton Beer • Idyll Hounds • 3rd Planet • Salty Oak • Odd Pelican
By Michelle Farnham
June 16, 2022
EMERALD COAST – When it comes to local exports here on the gulf, fresh seafood might be the first thing you think of, but a growing number of brewers are looking to make a mark in the craft beer industry, too. Take a look at this roundup of five Florida Panhandle companies that have joined the brewski game. Most products are available commercially, at select bars and restaurants, or you can head to the tap room, pull up a chair, and if you’re lucky, talk with the master brewers themselves.
Grayton Beer Company
Always a hometown favorite, Grayton Beer Company is perhaps best known for its 30A lineup: the Beach Blonde Ale in the bright yellow can; the 30A IPA, which comes in at an ABV of 4.5% and an IBU of 70; or the 30A Rosé Gose, with its bright berry notes and salty/tart foundation. Don’t sleep on the 1890 Founder’s Ale, a rich, malty amber ale with a lively pine finish; the Staff Pale Ale, featuring a nose of lemon and orange; or the Fish Whistle IPA, a combination of floral, herbal and spicy flavors.
The Taproom – which is both kid- and pet-friendly – is open Saturdays, and housed inside the 30,000-square-foot production facility.
Grayton Beer Company is located at 217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach. Contact: 850-231-4786, www.graytonbeer.com
Idyll Hounds Brewing Company
The folks at Idyll Hounds like a good pale ale – try the Divide and Conch’r (8% ABV), the Palapa Pale Ale, or the Boosh (a New England-style IPA). The Ghost Crab Pilsna is an easy-drinking Bohemian-style pilsner made with Saaz hops, while the Rosemary Saison Ale is a French farmhouse-style saison with soft spiciness and rosemary notes. For those who like a jolt of java, the Joe is porter-brewed with vanilla and coffee, packs a heftier ABV of 7.5%.
Most of those commercially available brews are also among the 22 beers on tap at the Taproom, open daily. There you might enjoy such fun finds at the Mustachio Sour, the Banana Chocolate Mousse Stout – which packs an impressive 9% ABV– or the Grapeful Opossum IPA
Idyll Hounds Brewing Company is at 845 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach. Contact: 850-231-1138, www.idyllhoundsbrewingcompany.com
3rd Planet Brewing Co.
Venture across the Choctawhatchee Bay to Niceville to find 3rd Planet Brewing Co. The taproom, affectionately known as The Mothership, is open daily. There you’ll find a wall full of beer options, visiting food trucks, and an outdoor area complete with live music stage and green space. On tap, sample the likes of their Dank Side of the Moon, a New England-style IPA; the Bear Creek Bramber with its nutty, toffee notes; or the Luminous Cloud, a hazy pale ale with a citrusy hop profile. For something completely different, look to the constantly evolving sequence of Fruited Sours, with new flavors available seasonally.
Find 3rd Planet Brewing Co. at 1400 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Contact: 850-424-4257, www.3rdplanetbrewing.com
Salty Oak Brewing Co.
With a brewery and tasting room in Panama City, Salty Oak Brewing Co. pours the likes of Island Time Blonde Ale, an easy-drinker at 36 IBU. Buckle up for their Bourbon Country Brand Stout, an imperial with an ABV of 15.2%; or keep things fruity with the Wanna Peach of Cobbler? fruited sour.
The Salty Oak tasting room is known for its daily specials like flight nights, discounts for military and first-responders, and food trucks and live music. The tap list evolves throughout the year, as does the bottle and can selection.
Visit Salty Oak Brewing Co. at 2337C St. Andrew’s Blvd., Panama City. Contact: 850-276-0706, www.saltyoakbrewing.com
Odd Pelican Beer Co.
The new game in town, The Odd Pelican Beer Co. tapped its first keg in 2021. Like many of their counterparts, the Pelican crew finds inspiration locally with their Seaside Suds collection, including Bud’s Brew, a golden ale, and the OBE IPA. The Freeporter Vanilla Porter is sure to be a local favorite, or try the Tucker Town Brown.
At the onsite taproom, which opened in October, enjoy live music guests, trivia nights, visiting food trucks and the occasional holiday celebration.
Find Odd Pelican at 355 Bulldog Road, Freeport. Contact: www.oddpelicanbeer.com