USA, FL: Cigar City Brewery to open a brewpub

Cigar City Brewing - maker of the Cubano-style Espresso Brown Ale and Guava Grove Farmhouse Ale - plans to open the Cigar City Brewpub in late February, Tampa Bay Times reported on October, 5.

Beer will be brewed on site a few times a week. Some selections will be exclusive to the restaurant.

The decor will have a feel of the production brewery, with repurposed fixtures and furniture such as tables made with barrel stays. It will be open daily, but hours have not been set. Cigar City president Toni Derby and Redner's family members will run it.

News of the restaurant comes during a heady year for the brewery. Construction is under way to triple the size of its tasting room and add up to 24 taps. The original bar area will be reserved for to-go growlers and other purchases. The expansion is expected to be finished in November.

This spring, Cigar City opened a location in the Tampa International Airport, making it the first airport in the country to sell beer brewed on site.

10 October, 2012