Press Release: One year after beginning the renovation of a vacant, c.1930 building at 400 S. Sanford Avenue in Sanford’s quaint downtown district, Sanford Brewing Company (SBC) is now serving up its own brand of craft beer, unique food fare, and live entertainment to a steadily growing number of local and out-of-town patrons. The new brewpub will officially celebrate its opening on February 25.
Sanford Brewing Company opened its doors for the first time on October 8, 2016, just after Hurricane Matthew blew through Central Florida. “We put out a ‘Shhhh, we’re having a soft opening’ announcement on our Facebook page and were overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest and support,” says Borden “Bo” Hallowes, SBC taproom manager and one of SBC’s four owners.
At the time, work was still under way on the brewery, which includes 3-barrel (93-gallon) and 15-barrel (465-gallon) brewing systems, each with eight fermentation tanks. “We didn’t have our own beer then,” says Hallowes, “but we had a great selection of our own craft sodas; other brewers’ beer, cider, and mead; and wine. We introduced food service the following Monday.”
Now, four months later, SBC offers a popular food menu, including its signature beer cheese and pretzel, make-your-own mac and cheese skillet, and prime beef burgers, as well as eight of its own beers. In January, SBC was selected for a 2017 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Award in the brewery menu category. Recently, the brewpub extended its hours on include lunch on weekdays as well as weekends.
“We’re having great success with our Weekender lemon wheat ale, FLipa session IPA, Killa Vanilla Porter, Peachy Keen saison, and Celery City Pale Ale, which we also use in our Proud Mary beer cocktail,” says Hallowes. “While our selection changes, we consistently have between eight and ten of our own beers on tap.”*
SBC recently contracted with distribution company Wayne Densch to begin introducing SBC beer to the greater Orlando metropolitan area in mid-March.
With solid food service, additional outdoor seating, and live music and other entertainment every weekend, SBC is attracting a lot of attention. “We had no idea that this type of place was available so close to home,” says Oviedo resident Patti Maerz, a repeat visitor to SBC. “It’s open and airy, warm and friendly, and totally one of a kind. We are so impressed with the size of the brewery and the quality of their beer. There’s something for just about everyone—food and drink.”
The brewery will host a grand opening celebration on February 25 from 4 p.m. till midnight. The public is invited. Details are in the events section of the company’s website (www.sanfordbrewing.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sanfordbrewing).
SBC, www.sanfordbrewing.com is guided by the mission of creating quality craft beer, delivered responsibly in an entertaining venue, to delight and enlighten customers, bring value to the community, and enhance the Florida craft beer industry.