Beer Here

The craft beer boom is on full pour across Florida, as the movement continues to gain market share and converts from traditional brews. Maybe the industry's growing heft can lead to a new marketing shtick: This isn't your father's beer. But he'd like it.

One key to the success, of course, is it's local — brought to you by entrepreneurs who can do what they love without worrying about big national and regional operators coming in to step on their success, says Jess Baker, Atlanta-based editor of CraftBeer.com. “I think it would be hard to capture that authenticity of a small independent craft brewery,” says Baker. “That is what is so attractive to beer-lovers.”

There are now some 5,500 brewpubs nationwide. A look inside the operations of Southwest Florida brewpubs reveals there are different strategies to increase market penetration and awareness and do what these proprietors love to do — make and serve beer. A key theme to succeed, and get repeat visitors, is to build a club-, if not a cult-, like following.