USA, FL: Red Cypress Brewery launched in Winter Springs

Red Cypress Brewery in Winter Springs is the latest addition to Central Florida's growing craft beer scene, Orlando Sentinel reported on December 4.

The Winter Springs brewery opened its production facility and 180-seat taproom last month in a shopping center on State Road 434 less than a mile from Central Winds Park.

Founded by UCF graduate Ryan Parker, the brewery joins a number of micro-breweries now operating in Central Florida, including Ten10 Brewing, Orlando Brewing, HourGlass Brewing, Crooked Can Brewing Co. and Wops Hops in Sanford.

Parker said he chose the location in Winter Springs because he wanted to be close to the University of Central Florida, which is about 10 miles away.

Parker called Red Cypress a "true production brewery," meaning the beer is made on-site. The production area and the large vats needed to make the beer are visible from the taproom and outside patio.

"We start from the very beginning with water and brew beer here," Parker said. "We control every aspect of our beer."

Red Cypress offers beers in a range of styles, including an IPA, a pale ale, a honey brown ale, a gose, a saison, a red ale and an imperial stout. All are available at the taproom and each has some connection to Florida.

For example, the Devil's Chair IPA is a reference to the Cassadaga myth. The Death Roll Stout is an homage to the deadly alligator move.

And it's not just the names of the beers that an attachment to the Sunshine State. The saison is made with Florida orange peels. And for the honey brown ale, Red Cypress uses locally sourced honey.

In the coming weeks, Red Cypress Brewery beer will be available on draft at more than 50 locations across Central Florida. And early next year, Parker said there are plans for the beer to be canned and sold at retail locations such as Publix.

"We're really trying to be the craft beer of Central Florida," Parker said.

09 December, 2015