Florida Beer News was fortunate enough to be invited to attend a media and friends preview of JDub’s Brewing Company in Sarasota and talk with Jeremy and Tom about the future of JDub’s Brewing Company. If the beers and the brewery are any indication, JDub’s future is as bright as the flavors in the beer.

The brewery itself is situated off of Fruitville Road in Sarasota and has a tasting room and beer garden right off of the brewery which will serve ten taps of JDub’s beer along with some possible guest taps. The tasting room has glass windows that look out into the brewery for glimpses of brewery staff producing the tasting room’s nectar. JDub’s is going to begin distribution in Sarasota area first, then will expand into Tampa and beyond.

The JDub’s tap handles

JDub’s will begin using their commercial brewhouse this week, and beer should be pouring into distribution not long after that.

JDub’s brewing system

As for the beers, JDub’s offered four ales for the evening, and they certainly proved interesting. The bright and shiny “Citrus Thang” proved a tasty and citrusy session ale. Thing shined with bright orange and grapefruit notes, packed with flavor for a light-bodied ale. Next on the list was “Kill Wit-ey,” a light, lemon and citrusy witbier with coriander spices throughout. A light-bodied with with lots of citrus character. Third on the list was Uncle Jethro’s Mud Whata, a twelve percent imperial stout with flavors of espresso, chocolate, roasted malts, and some mild dark fruits. The heaviest JDub’s offering, this one is definitely a sipper. The standout beer of the evening had to be JDub’s Honey Habanero Alt Bier. This five percent Dusseldorf-style ale had a nice malt backbone standing behind flavors of sweet honey and the burn and flavor of habanero peppers. The polite heat combined with the sweetness and malt character certainly made the beer memorable. The public will be curious to seee what other unique beers Tom Harris will produce once JDub’s is fully operational.

JDub’s tap list for the preview night

Look for JDub’s Brewing to attend some events throughout Tampa Bay Beer Week, including the Florida Brewers’ Guild Festival on March 1st.

JDub’s kegs peeking out from their wrapping…