E-Malt.com News article: USA, FL: 7venth Sun Brewing looking for second location

7venth Sun Brewing, the two-year-old Dunedin brewery that has earned raves for its Belgian-style beers, IPAs, barrel-aged ales and sours, is scoping sites for a second location, Cltampa.com reported on January 20.

Co-owner and head brewer Justin Stange says he isn't just seeking to expand but to push the craft beer envelope even further this time.

The new production brewery and tasting room will be somewhere in North Pinellas — Dunedin and Ozona sites are under consideration — and will focus on barrel-aged beers.

“I want to do something new,’’ said Stange. “I want to keep changing it, experiment, see how people react to it. We’re really pushing it this time.’’

The brewery, located a short walk from the Dunedin Brewery, Florida’s oldest craft production brewery, has experienced slow but steady growth since it poured its first pint on January 7, 2012, producing 250 barrels its first year, 850 barrels last year and shooting for 1,000 this year, with limited local distribution, mostly draft with an expanding bottle selection.

The tasting room has a laid-back vibe that reflects the easy-going ways of Stange and co-owner Devon Kreps. They met at Sweetwater Brewing in Atlanta, where Kreps was production manager and Stange was a brewer.

Stange had a brewing stint at Cigar City Brewing in Tampa before they opened 7venth Sun. They immediately carved out a niche and devoted fan base. They also have one of the most customer-friendly pour policies of any of the Tampa Bay breweries, with four, eight, 12 and 16-ounce pours, all served in a full sized glass instead of a stubby sample glass so you can smell the beer as well as taste it.

Besides expansion, Stange has an exciting collaboration in the works with Edge Brewing in Barcelona, Spain. The owner is from Tampa and wants to introduce American craft brewing to Spain. He’s invited Stange and a dozen or so other brewers to collaborate in Barcelona.

As new breweries open with big brewhouses and expansion plans to match Stange and Kreps seem content following their own path, making small-batch beers for a loyal local following.


22 January, 2014