Brewing company purchases longtime Bradenton community staple

BRADENTON — A storm is brewing for craft beer enthusiasts: Big Storm Brewing Co. has announced the purchase of Bradenton-based Darwin Brewing Co.

“Darwin Brewing Co. has a solid reputation for brewing the highest quality beers with an eye toward innovation and food pairs,” says Clearwater-based Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni in a statement. “We are excited to grow this hyper-local brand throughout Florida.”

Darwin Brewing Co. has been part of the Bradenton community for nearly a decade. It got its start as the well-known restaurant Darwin’s on 4th before expanding into the brewing company, the release states.

“It is our plan to take the next year to methodically find a new home for Darwin that will allow the brand to find some of its original roots regarding a culinary experience,” Govoni says. 

The announcement comes amid Big Storm’s continued growth. The brewing company expanded to Orlando in November and has announced plans to open an 11,000-square-foot taproom and restaurant in Ybor City early next year, it’s fifth location in the state. 

Big Storm is currently distributed in five states: Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas.

Big Storm has embraced its tagline of “Florida’s Craft Beer Forecast,” according to the press release, by developing a dynamic lineup of Florida favorites like Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, steeped with hibiscus flowers, and Key Lime Shandy, brewed with key lime puree.