Motorworks Brewing...Bradenton, FL

Since our very first Brewz Crewz in 2010, Jeremy & I have been on a craft brew journey of epic proportions. We have been to every craft beer festival that we can manage, visited every brewery that we come across, and buy new and interesting beer every time we shop. And, since Brewz Crewz (Lakeland Craft Beer fest) turned us on to this lifestyle, we never miss it. 
       This year's Brewz Crewz took on a bit of a different look and feel.  Long gone were the lines to get in and longer lines to get great beer. Long gone were the event staff members pouring beer that they knew nothing about.  No, this year's Brewz Crewz gave us what we really wanted...great beer and its fabulously creative brewers.       Even though we go to a lot of beer festivals and brewery events and we try A LOT of new beer, sometimes we get to try a beer that has us completely hooked and itching to visit the brewery.  This year, that beer was the Coffee Porter made by Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton.  I've gone to the beaches around Bradenton and Anna Maria Island my entire life and I NEVER knew that there was a brewery along the way!?!  Immediately, Motorworks was put on our summer brewery to-do list.

     Luckily, our brewery to-do list didn't have to wait for summer.  A couple of weeks ago, we

had the grand plan to take the boys to Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County.  Unfortunately, the waves were too rough, the current to quick, and the riptide too dangerous to let the boys swim, so the outing was cut short.  However, instead of heading home (a 2 hour drive), we headed over the Skyway Bridge to Bradenton to check out Motorworks. 

      Let's just say, it was worth the detour.  We got there right after they opened, so we walked right in and ordered with no wait.  I'm not sure how busy they get, especially since they host a variety of events and live music.  Either way, don't be deterred.  Even if there had been a crowd, we would have stayed...it's worth it!  Jeremy is the type who likes a big pour (12 or 16oz) of whatever he's drinking.  Me, on the other hand...I'm more a sample type of gal.  The way I see it is 'I can have 4-4oz pours and try 4 different beers, rather than get completely zonked drinking 4 full pints.'  So far, my drinking philosophy has worked in my favor.  I get to try far more types of beer in a single visit than I would if drank only pints.  On this particular visit to Motorworks, I tried 8 different beers...and loved everyone one!  

   If you're ever in the Bradenton-Anna Maria area, check them out.  Our favorites/suggestions...

1. Coffee Porter 5.5%abv...fabulously drinkable with smokey coffee-ness and not-too-heavy, so it's great even after a day at the beach.
2. Cruiser Kolsch 4.8%abv...I'm a relatively new fan of kolsch.  It's light, but not bitter nor overly hoppy.  Kolsches are my new summer beer.
3. Sweet Stout 5.5%abv...this one tastes like it should be much heavier than it is. It's deep black, slightly sweet, and super yummy.
4. INDY 6.9%abv...this is all-Jeremy.  He loves a strong IPA, so this American IPA with its forward hoppiness made him happy.

For everyone who would frown upon taking kids to a brewery, don't worry.  Most breweries are totally kid & family friendly. Motorworks is no exception.  Besides serving a number of nonalcoholic sodas, the staff was serving up popcorn, turned the tv to Sponge Bob, and even have a beer garden outside fully stocked with corn hole decks and a 3-hole putting green.