Great news for beer lovers in Southwest Florida: Bradenton is getting its own microbrewery right in the Village of the Arts and just around the corner from the revamped McKechnie Field baseball complex. City Council members are expected to issue a final vote of approval right before Valentine’s Day. If everything goes as planned, the brewery will be open to the public on the same day the Minor League Bradenton Marauders begin their season.

The proposed site for the brewery and pub is precisely at 1014 Ninth St. West. The plans call for conversion of the existing building into a 15,000 square foot brewery complete with a beer garden and tasting areas. The yet-to-be named brewery will also offer tours to the public and maybe even beer to go, which will require a special permit to accommodate to the liquor retailing rules in the Sunshine State.

The future owners and operators of Bradenton’s own microbrewery already know their way around the craft beer world. Frank and Denise Tschida have hosted craft beer festivals in Tarpon Springs through their own liquor store, which carried one of the most comprehensive selections of microbrewery products from around the United States. Denise Tschida recently told Nick Williams of the Bradenton Herald that she enjoys the friendly welcome from her new neighbors.

For those who can’t wait to enjoy Bradenton’s very own craft beer after enjoying a Pittsburgh Pirates or Brandenton Mauraders game at McKechie on a hot day, the sixth annual Bradenton Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, February 2nd from 4-8 pm right on Old Main Street. Beer lovers will be able to taste offerings from the Darwin’s on 4th microbrewery from nearby Sarasota. This could be the start of a brewing industry in Southwest Florida.