Big Storm Brewing Co. announced today it has signed a lease to take over the vacant Hamburger Mary’s and Mary’s Pub locations in Ybor City. Big Storm plans to open an 11,000-square-foot taproom and restaurant in the Centro Ybor building by the end of the year. The location will be the fifth Big Storm location in the state of Florida.
“We have long wanted to open an Ybor location and are excited to have finally found what we think is the perfect spot, in the heart of the district, overlooking East 7th Avenue,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “We are also excited to open our first taproom in Tampa, giving those who love beers a place to visit in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties.”
The Ybor City taproom will be the independent craft brewer’s fifth location in the Sunshine State. In November Big Storm expanded to Central Florida, with the opening of a brewpub at Amway Center in downtown Orlando.
The taproom will feature Big Storm’s core beers, including, Bromosa, Tropic Pressure, Wavemaker, and Sunny Key Lime. But Govoni says Big Storm will also brew small batches of dark and barrel-aged beer in Ybor with an emphasis on aggressive imperial stouts. He says they will install an oversized 5-barrel brewing system.
Big Storm, which is based in Clearwater, is currently distributed in five states: Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas.
Govoni says they hope to open the Ybor City location before the new year.
About Big Storm Brewing & Distilling
Founded in 2012 in Pasco County, Big Storm currently has four taprooms in the Sunshine State — Clearwater, Orlando, Odessa, and Cape Coral.
Big Storm has embraced its tagline of “Florida’s Craft Beer Forecast,” by developing a dynamic lineup of Florida favorites like Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, steeped with hibiscus flowers, and Key Lime Shandy, brewed with key lime puree. Best known for our signature brands Bromosa Tangerine IPA, Wavemaker Amber Ale and Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, Big Storm uses locally sourced ingredients like wildflower honey in our Arcus Southern Pale Ale and Florida Key Limes in our Key Lime Shandy. Try one of our beers and experience Gulf Coast livin’.