Panama City, Florida, is the perfect place for sun, sea, beer and wine. The craft brewing and winery scene has made inroads into Panama City and nearby towns. There’s a lot of variety, interest, and excitement surrounding the breweries and brewpubs that are entering a new era of craft brewing, and we at Panama City Toyota want to help you explore what’s on tap. Be sure to drink responsibly. We want you to enjoy your adult beverages and stay safe in the meantime. Following is a list of breweries you should check out:
Salty Oak Brewing
Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by Bernt Rostad
Salty Oak Brewing is a relative newcomer to the Panama City brewery scene, but has quickly become one of the best breweries and destinations in town. The brewery opened their doors in 2019, and has recently started brewing their own recipes. You’ll find house brews that include an Irish dry stout, the Charlieweizen, Cry Imperial Vol. 2, an IPA that tastes like it came out of New England, and Sunset Cider, a dry cider. The brewery also produces fruit beers and has beer on tap from breweries spread across the country.
Staff at Salty Oak Brewing are knowledgeable about their craft, and the bar staff does a fine job of helping you select a beer that satisfies your craving. No food is served on site, but there is a pizza place nearby that will deliver food upon request. Hours vary from day to day, but the brewery is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Call ahead or check the website to learn about the operating hours.
History Class Brewing Company
The mission behind History Class Brewing Company is one of a brewery that pays homage to the working class roots of Panama City and wants to be a place where the community can meet and help each other thrive. The brewery hosts local musicians on the weekend, and is a kid- and dog-friendly establishment. It also seeks to preserve the voices of past residents of Panama City to help current residents understand more about the people that built the town.
Some of the brews on tap include The Hero porter, Gardner’s strawberry mango milkshake IPA, Union Soldier IPA, Val Valentine, and Pollywog Black Cherry Cider. Some of the beers get their names from locals past and present. Non-alcoholic drinks include McKenzie Bros. fizzy water and Capt. Raffield’s watermelon juice for when you need to sober up a little. Munch on fresh pork rinds, truffle fries, crispy tater tots topped with bacon, queso, and green onions, or share a giant pretzel with beer cheese dip on the side with friends.
Panama City Beach Winery
Panama City Beach Winery crafts wine from fruits and turns them into delicious still and sparkling wines. The winery features wines made from blackberries, strawberries, peaches, pineapple, raspberry, oranges and more. They’re then made into variations that include dry, semi-sweet, blended, and slushie. Blended wines include different blends of sangria, and a coco polada made from orange, pineapple, and coconut. The wine slushie mixes come in the same flavors as the wines, and are intended to be poured into crushed ice for a delightful adult beverage.
The winery offers after-hours wine tasting events for private parties and has on-site wine tasting for weddings. Customers who want to order for a wedding are encouraged to come in at any time and taste a sampling of the wines before placing an order for the reception.
Idyll Hounds Brewery
Head northwest out of town for a short drive and experience the creative flavors Idyll Hounds crafts behind its taproom. The brewery was founded by two friends who have a passion for beer and a desire to put flavor first in all of its output. Idyll Hounds sources it ingredients locally and from the finest ingredients it can get ahold of. The lineup of beers on tap and in cans includes flavors that go by the name of Ghost Crab Pilsna, Palapa pale ale, Divide and Conch’r, Boosh New England style IPA, and even a coffee brew simply named Joe.
All of these flavors and more are available on tap in the taproom. Short run beers made by the brewery are also put on tap and you might be able to catch a pint of their caramel cake porter or a Vienna lager. Idyll Hounds is also known for its sour flavors which are a draw all on their own.
Oyster City Brewing Company
You’ll have to take a trip to the southeast and make the drive to Apalachicola for Oyster City Brewing Company, but you’ll find the location, brewery, and beer worthwhile. The idea for the brewery was born when the founders realized there was no answer to the question of “what’s your local beer?” Indeed, there was no nearby brewery making beer for the local population to imbibe. The founders put their heads together and set out to make a beer that everyone wanted to drink.
Oyster City Brewing Company is now located in a former dive bar that’s a perfect example of old Florida architecture. Inside you’ll find beers on tap that include: Hooter Brown, a brown ale, Mangrove, a pale ale with mango, Tates Helles for a German-style lager, Mill Pond Dirty which is a blonde ale, and Apalach IPA. All beers have their own unique description that let you know what to expect when you take your first sip.
These are a few of our favorite breweries, wineries, and brewpubs in Panama City and the surrounding area. Did we overlook one or two, or do you know of one that should be on the list and didn’t get included? Drop us a line and let us know. At Panama City City Toyota, we want to share the destinations and locations that make our city great, and make it a place you want to explore in your next Toyota from our dealership.
