Lincoln's Beard Brewing Company Taproom Now Open

Lincoln's Beard Brewing Company, the newest Miami-Dade County craft brewery, is now open in the Bird Road Arts District (7360 SW 41st St., Miami). The taproom, which celebrated a soft opening May 20, had a "fantastic" turnout, according to co-owner John Falco. 

The original plan was to open by April 30, but the brewery hit a few snags with building inspections, he says. 

Falco describes the place as a "taproom with a brewery." The brewery will concentrate on being a community brewpub even though it will a production facility with a taproom.

Although the taproom is serving, Lincoln's Beard hasn't actually begun brewing its own beer yet. That's because Lincoln's Beard hasn't yet received its federal brewer's license since Falco applied for it seven months ago. 

Until that time comes, you can grab pints of guest taps. They include a diverse list of breweries from South Florida, such as Funky Buddha, the Tank, M.I.A., and Biscayne Bay. 

The brewery's next big step is preparing for the first brew day. Falco, along with assistant brewer Rob Regan, can start making beer on Lincoln's Beard brewing system once he receives the go-ahead from the federal government. He can then prepare for the grand opening, which point will also mark the official launch of their beer.

For the beer lineup, expect to see Lincoln's Beard's Nunchuck Skills House Ale, Avenge Me! Irish Red, P. Swayze American IPA, Witch King Imperial Stout, and Lucky Machete Brown Ale. 

Falco also can't wait to show off Lincoln's Beard's barrel-aged beers, such as the 8.7 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) Big Whiskey Brown Ale and the 11 percent ABV Rosebud Old Ale. 

Now that the taproom is open, the next big goal for Falco and team is becoming a proper brewery. "Next up is definitely preparing for our first brew day on the big system," Falco says. "Other than that, treating our guests like they are our own family, as always."

Five months ago, Falco penned a letter to beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB-InBev), the parent company of Budweiser, offering to buy the company for only $26,000. The offer was essentially a statement against AB-InBev for its assimilation of craft breweries into the company.  "The buyouts have gotten completely out of hand," Falco says. 

Lincoln's Beard Brewing Company is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3 to 11 p.m. (closed Tuesday); Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from noon to midnight; and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m.