Cheers to These Five South Florida Beer Crawls

Before the craft beer revolution, Miami was best known for its growing craft cocktail scene, vacation-worthy beaches, and vibrant party scene. But a movement toward community-based, locally inspired businesses has taken root too, led by a growing number of local brewers, who have produced a thriving beer culture.

In the last decade, the Magic City's beer scene has expanded to more than a dozen breweries — with several more in the works. And that means more opportunities to discover something unexpected. South Florida brewers are breaking tradition, using local tropical fruits and exotic ingredients to create new flavors that sate even the most adventurous imbibers.

Whether you're a local, a tourist — or a bit of both — you can grab a pint straight from the source and meet the brewers behind the beer on these South Florida brewery crawls.

Miami Brew Bus. When Miami breweries began opening in late 2013, they inspired a new way to experience several at once. Enter Miami Brew Bus, which spotlights local brewers on tasting tours of Miami's craft beer scene. Weekly tours meet at the Union Beer Store in Little Havana at noon on Saturdays, but the bus is also available for private bookings any day of the week. Check in, then enjoy a complimentary beer while you wait for other passengers to arrive. The ticket price includes behind-the-scenes tours of each brewery and insight into the brewing process. You will also receive a beer snifter or pint of the brewery’s flagship beers, a discount on merchandise, and — most important — a safe ride. Weekly every Saturday, or private tours by appointment; miamibrewbus.com.

Cycle Party. Put on your best pair of cycling shorts to party around Wynwood with Miami's Cycle Party. The bike tour you power by pedaling will take you on a private two-hour brewery crawl to several Wynwood breweries. The party bike includes a souvenir cup, so you can bring your beer from the bar back to the music-fueled party bike, where a pilot guides you to stops that include Concrete Beach Brewery, Wynwood Brewing Company, J. Wakefield Brewing, and Veza Sur Brewing Company. By appointment only. cycleparty.com. Craft Carousel. For a different type of brewery crawl, check SLF Hops, a local group that hosts meetups at breweries, beer bars, festivals, tastings, and other beer-related events. The South Florida-based organization, which was created four years ago solely to support the area's growing craft beer scene, recently expanded its focus by launching its own series of events dubbed Craft Carousel. SFL Hop's new venture highlights local up-and-coming craft brewers and beer bars. This summer, a total of four events will be hosted in various locations — each featuring a panel of rotating brewers — across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. The events will focus on homebrewers making beer for fun or with the intent to open a brewery someday, or on newly opened breweries. Each Craft Carousel will feature between five to nine beer tents and offer a people's choice competition, merchandise, local vendors, and beer games. The first Craft Carousel will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at MIA Brewery in Doral and will include Octave Brewing, Stebbins Brewing Company, Monkey Business Brewing Co., Urban Brewers, Edukos, and Silver Brewing Company. Tickets cost $6 to $18 via eventbrite.com.

Damn Good Beer Bus. Jonathan Breines, owner and operator of Damn Good Beer Bus, takes day drinking to the next level with his 20-passenger bus that leads guided beer crawls across Broward and Palm Beach Counties. The group partners with brewers from Tequesta to Boca Raton, offering a three- to four-hour tour that gets you up close and personal with three South Florida breweries. Depending on location, you'll get one full beer or a flight sampler at each stop for $65 per person, along with a behind-the-scenes tour (private tours are $69 per person, or there's an all-inclusive option of $125 an hour for hourly bus rentals). Weekly every Saturday or private tours by appointment; damngoodbeerbus.com.
Wynwood Brewery & Art Crawl. You can have beer and culture in one trip with NightTables' Wynwood Brewery Crawl. Every Thursday through Sunday, this crawl takes thirsty tourists and locals from Miami breweries to the Wynwood urban art district for a tour of the graffiti and murals. The final stop includes live music and food trucks. The experience changes according to the day and area events, so no two crawls are ever the same. Prepare to go off the beaten path to explore neighborhood shops, eateries, and breweries. One beer sample is included and discounts are offered for additional purchases. The second Saturday of every month, the crawl includes Wynwood Brewery's pop-up art gallery featuring different local artists. Thursday through Sunday starting at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $29 via eventbrite.com.