Best Craft Beer and Breweries in Destin and South Walton

Here along Florida's Emerald Coast, craft breweries are celebrating a growing fan base. While Maguire’s Irish Pub was the first to serve up its own locally brewed beer more than 25 years ago, there are now a variety of breweries producing micro-brews in South Walton, Destin and Ft. Walton Beach. Here’s a list of the best craft beers and breweries along the Emerald Coast:

3rd Planet Brewing Co. (The Mothership)

This brewery is a bit out of the way of Destin. The Niceville area in which it is nestled provides a space away from all the hustle and bustle in popular vacation spots. Many Niceville and Destin residents often celebrate their weekends here, causing 3rd Planet to constantly expand their parking lot due to its ever-growing fame. They often host food trucks to complement their taps and signature brews. Some popular options are the Bluewater Hefeweizen, with hints of grapefruit and banana, as well as the Panhandle Pale Ale, infused with floral and citrus notes. Not only does this brewery host fun nights and good ale, but many community events such as kids paint parties, zumba fitness sessions, trivia nights, bingo nights, and so much more! 

This brewery also sells supplies to home-brew! These supplies include grains, hops, yeast, and liquid malt, all with various options and types! Stop by and pick up some supplies, a drink to sip, and purchase some signature merchandise on your way out! Check out their website for hours, events, and other information at 3rdplanetbrewing.com

Beer Festivals in the Destin Area

Want to experience the best craft beers in one place? Plan to attend one of the craft beer festivals held along the Emerald Coast that celebrate craft brewmasters’ innovative creations. The Destin Beer Festival hosted by Wine World and The Craft Bar will be held in late September / early October (date to be announced soon). And the Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest at Sandestin will be held in Sandestin’s Village of Baytowne Wharf, Oct. 14 – 15, 2016.  And don’t forget, Sept. 7 is National Beer Lover’s Day (#NationalBeerLover’sDay) and Sept. 28 is National Drink Beer Day (#NationalDrinkBeerDay) which provide an additional reason to sample new brews during September. 

Destin Brewery

Located in the heart of Destin is the Emerald Coast’s newest brewery, Destin Brewery. Founded in June 2015, Destin Brewery is focused on creating a really good product that locals will be proud to call their hometown brew. Founder Kelly Taylor is currently brewing four flagship beers: Destin Ale (a light blonde ale), East Pass IPA (slightly lighter body, beach friendly ale), Red Sky Rye (a rye pale ale, brewed with local honey) and the Bridge Rubble Double (a double IPA whose name is inspired by the sunken Destin Bridge).

Destin Brewery’s new introduction will be a beer for sushi. Made with sushi rice in the mash, the brew will be a rice lager and available on draught at local sushi restaurants including Bamboo Sushi Bar and Hibachi Express in Niceville. 

Taylor invites locals and visitors to visit the brewery and hopes to introduce organized tours this year. In the meantime, he invites the public to stop by and try their different pilot beers, which provides him feedback on what to brew next. Visit the Destin Brewery Facebook page to learn more. 

Grayton Beer Company

Down the street from Idyll Hounds is another local brewery, Grayton Beer.  Founder Jamey Price always enjoyed craft beer, and with friends in the industry, he decided he wanted to be part of the growing national movement. Grayton Beer Company produces some of the most well-known locally brewed beers. Building upon the success of its original brew, 30A Beach Blonde Ale, Grayton Beer Company now brews many different styles of beer. In fact, the local brewery has more than doubled beer production in just two short years, growing from 4000 barrels in 2014 to more than 9000 barrels in 2015. Grayton Beer also produces a Barrel Aged series and is introducing new lines this year including Trebel Hood, a Belgium ale, and Fish Whistle, a Belgium White. Visit the Grayton Beer Taproom, located within the South Walton Industrial Plaza in Santa Rosa Beach. Open Thurs. and Fri. from 4-8 p.m. and Sat. noon to 6 p.m. Learn more at GraytonBeer.com. 

Idyll Hounds Brewing Company

This local brewery is located in Santa Rosa Beach in the heart of South Walton. Idyll Hounds founder Frasier Hansen has been brewing beer for more than a decade. First as a home brewer in Salt Lake City and then traveling to England to take courses and study the craft. With two flagship beers, Divide & Conch’R (pronounced: conquer), a double IPA, and Man ‘O’ Wheat, an American Wheat Ale, Idyll Hounds has been brewing beer since its launch in October 2014.

The Idyll Hounds taproom is the best place to try their flagship and seasonal beers on tap. The taproom features 24 taps, pouring Idyll Hounds brews as well as other local craft beers. The Idyll Hounds taproom is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. and is pet-friendly. Learn more at IdyllHounds.com. 

McGuire’s Irish Pub 

The second location for this infamous Irish pub popped up on the Destin Harbor in 1996. This location's brewery provides fine ales, porters, and stotus brewed (on premise in their traditional oak and copper brewery). McGuire’s uses the finest malted barley, imported hops, and their signature house yeast. McGuires offers a menu that balances old-fashioned and signature ales! This location quickly became a hub for the Destin community and a popular place to dine and drink during vacation. This location has over 600 seats, including inside and upper deck seating, and regularly features live music!

This Irish pub hosts guests of all ages! Grab a home-brewed rooter for the kids and choose an entree from their large menu. Here, patrons can order brunch, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, including a kids menu to satisfy even the pickiest of leprechauns. Head on down anytime between 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (10 to 2 on Sundays) to find good entertainment and even better eats. McGuires has happy hours between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.! Check them out at mcguiresirishpub.com

Odd Pelican Beer Co. 

Over in Freeport, right down Bulldog Road, is the Odd Pelican Beer Company. During the events of 2020, time was abundant for many—time to ponder, to think, or to create. Two people come together to forge a company that will become known as the Odd Pelican. Owner Hunter and co-owner Anne Margaret believe that life should be centered around “laughing with friends, exploring our beautiful community, enjoying great food and drinks, counting pelicans, and living the good life each day." So they created a space that implemented all these values and welcomed the people of Freeport and beyond! Patrons can order a wide variety of unique beers, including concoctions such as Bay Haze, a New England IPA infused with the flavors of citrus and tropical fruits, or Pelican Raro, a light Mexican-style lagger, as well as so many more options to try!

Head over to Freeport Thursday through Saturday from anytime between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and get a taste of the local culture. Try limited releases, fan favorites, or pick from a selection of their current tap list. Learn more at oddpelicanbeer.com

Props Brewery & Grill

Located just over the Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach, Props Brewery & Grill was a pioneer in the craft beer movement along the Emerald Coast. Founded in 2011, Props Brewery has been rapidly expanding ever since. Founders Nathan Vannatter and Mike Kee were transferred to the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton Beach from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas and decided they should open a restaurant and make it a brewpub. Their signature beers include Four Kings, a traditional American brown ale, the Flying Coffin IPA and the Blonde Bomber. Over the past five years, Props Brewery has grown to include more than a dozen signature and seasonal beers.

Visit Props Bewery & Grill at 255 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Fort Walton Beach. Visit PropsBrewery.com for more info and directions.

Destin Vacation

Ready to book your fall beach getaway to sample some of these delicious Destin brews? View Newman-Dailey premier Destin vacation rentals online or call one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-8885443546 to help narrow your search. 

See you @ the beach for a cold craft beer!