Craft beer aficionados don't have to travel far to quench their thirst. Lakewood Ranch has become a go-to destination for craft beer enthusiasts and entrepreneurs.
Big Top Brewing Company
Big Top Brewing, headquartered in Sarasota, opened its second location in Gainesville in 2018. It also has a Pensacola tap room.
Chief executive and co-founder Mike Bisaha said the project started the same way many craft breweries get started nowadays by creating a home brew that was pretty terrible at first, before he and his neighbor and co-founder honed their skills.
Following the success of Big Top in Sarasota, named to pay homage to the city’s Ringling Bros. Circus history, the founders thought Gainesville would be an ideal second location because of its receptiveness to the craft beer scene. Bisaha’s wife is originally from Gainesville and they still often visit family in the area.