Escape Brewing, a brand and brewery in Florida’s craft beer scene for over a decade, is expanding and evolving. The brewery is moving to a new location and rebranding itself as The Collective at Escape. The new locale looks to be a dynamic destination for beer lovers and foodies alike in Florida’s Sports Coast. The Collective’s grand opening is set for late fall 2024. Luckily, there’s a soft launch of the new brewery and taproom on October 25. That’s this Saturday.
This move marks a significant growth phase for Escape Brewing. The new location will more than double the brewery’s production capacity, increasing from around 2,000 to 4,500 barrels (bbls) annually. The expanded taproom will now feature 20 taps, showcasing a wider variety of seasonal and specialty beers alongside fan favorites like the award-winning The Other West Coast IPA and The Collective, a light American lager brewed to celebrate this new chapter. From the press release:
“We’re excited to keep pushing boundaries, creating new brands, and offering more variety while still serving our fan-favorite beers like The Other West Coast IPA, Goofy Footed Wheat Ale, and Five Flags Pilsner,” says Escape Brewing co-founder John McGregor. “This expansion allows our brewers to get more creative and have more fun in the brewing process.”
The Collective at Escape will not only offer great beer but will also house a new food hall featuring six of Tampa Bay’s most exciting culinary destinations. Some highlights include:
- Gallito Taqueria: Authentic Mexican street food with signature quesabirria tacos.
- Dang Dude: Asian-inspired street food featuring noodles, dumplings, and spring rolls.
- Jimmy Renner’s Burger Co.: Hand-crafted smash burgers and fried chicken.
- 3 Corners Pizza: Bold-flavored pizza, stuffed subs, and crisp salads.
- Florida Donut Lab: Sweet, savory, and boozy donuts paired with gourmet coffee.
- ĀTO Burrito and Bowls: Fresh rolls, burritos, and bowls for custom creations.
“We’re thrilled to bring together amazing food and great beer,” says Escape Brewing co-founder Matt Thompson. “This will be a place for the community to come together and enjoy incredible craft beer paired with some of the best local eats.”
Upcoming events at The Collective at Escape
Escape Brewing’s new taproom will have a soft opening on October 25, 2024. This will be followed by a Halloween-themed Night Market on October 26. That Halloween shin-dig will feature a grown-up costume contest, live music and local vendors. Families can also join a Trunk-or-Treat event on October 27, making it a fun weekend for all. The grand opening of the full food hall is planned for late fall 2024. More details will be shared via The Collective at Escape’s social media channels.
Escape Brewing’s journey
Escape Brewing has been a cornerstone of Florida’s craft beer scene since its founding in 2014 by John McGregor and Matt Thompson. Originally located in Trinity, Fla., the brewery quickly gained popularity with its creative and high-quality beers. It’s also earned several awards along the way. Over the years, Escape Brewing steadily expanded, growing from a 3-bbl brewhouse to a 10-bbl system, allowing them to meet rising demand while maintaining their dedication to craft and creativity. Today, Escape Brewing beers can be found in over 400 locations around the state. These include places like Publix, Whole Foods and ABC Liquors throughout the Tampa Bay area and select central and south Florida locations.
Escape Brewing has earned several prestigious awards. These include a gold medal at the World Beer Cup for Poolside Chill Sour and a silver at the Great American Beer Fest for Goofy Footed Wheat Ale. Other notable awards include multiple gold medals at the Best Florida Beer Competition for The Other West Coast IPA, Scandalous Double IPA and You’re Never Out Hazy IPA.
The Collective at Escape represents the next chapter for this thriving brewery. With increased production capacity, new culinary partners and a strong commitment to the local community, Escape Brewing is set to continue its growth in Florida’s Sports Coast.
For more information on The Collective at Escape and upcoming events, visit FLSportsCoast.com or thecollectiveatescape.com.
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