Hold on to your hats, Polk County! There’s a new destination in Central Florida and it’s right in your backyard. If you’ve driven down Highway 27 between Haines City and Dundee recently, you may already be waiting with delightful anticipation to find out what’s been brewing on big Lake Hamilton. The answer: beer, coffee, and family fun for all ages. Port 27 is set to open in early spring and is sure to become a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled on the shore of La

It’s been four years since Crave & Copper first opened their doors in downtown Auburndale. The concept was born from the Florida Brewery. Established in the 70s, the Florida Brewery is the second oldest brewery still in operation in the state. Primarily a manufacturing facility, the brewery opened its doors to the public for a time, introducing a Beer Garden and Taproom at 202 Gandy Road. The brewery became a popular hangout, and when the opportunity came up to open an eate

Seven hundred and fifty bottles per minute shoot down a production line outside a large window in Julie Williams’s office. One thousand cases worth of beverages will expeditiously clink down the line during the hour we talk with chief operating officer Julie Williams and chief financial officer Stacey Oakley of The Florida Brewery. These two ladies are kind of a big deal. Together, they operate the largest women-run brewery in the United States. A HISTORY OF THE BREWERY The F

What’s in a name? That which we call a beer A beer by any other name would taste as sweet – Shakespeare … pretty sure, or was it Shakesbeer? (sorry) Just the name Grove Roots evokes thoughts of a good time, seeing old friends, and making new ones. Or, as my editor would put it, “Going to Grove Roots is like putting on your favorite pair of jeans. It’s just comfortable.” The enduring roots of a Polk County orange tree branching out, connecting the community to its heritage als

The Florida Brewery, established in the 70s, is the second oldest brewery still in operation in the state. Primarily a manufacturing facility, the brewery opened its doors to the public a year and a half ago introducing their Beer Garden and Taproom at 202 Gandy Road in Auburndale. The community grew fond of the beer and atmosphere at the Florida Brewery and voiced that they wanted to enjoy them on more than just Friday and Saturday. When the opportunity came up to open an ea