Five Great Places to Enjoy Craft Beer and Sip Spirits During Your Visit
Navarre Beach and surrounding Santa Rosa County boasts several homegrown establishments that will help you relax even further in Florida’s Most Relaxing Place. We’re talking beer, spirits, and wine — much of it made on-site and served in cozy environs that invite visitors to make like locals.
Here’s a rundown of our destination’s boutique-y craft breweries and distilleries:
Located in downtown Milton, the Gulf Coast Garage Patio Bar isn’t just a local joint—it’s Milton’s prized hometown hangout! Partnering up as cohosts for the renowned Bands On The Blackwater, this place knows how to bring the community together with music, fun, and fantastic vibes. What makes it a standout spot? Well, picture this: a sprawling patio adorned with an eclectic selection of brews overseen by an owner whose knowledge of beer is unparalleled. 6820 Caroline St, Milton.
Partners Nick Holmes and Dallas Cook are all about the beer. Their Beardless Brewhaus in Historic Milton — next to Blackwater Bistro — does not serve food and is open Thursday through Sunday. The friends, who came to the area from Lexington, Kentucky a few years ago, started by brewing one-gallon batches in Holmes’ garage. Beardless serves year-round flagship beers (from light cream ale to heavy stouts), as well as limited-release brews, sours and barrel-aged ale. And where did the name originate? Simple. Nick can’t grow a beard to save his life. 5139 Elmira St., Milton, (850) 665-0663.
3. St. Michael’s Brewing Company
The newest addition to Santa Rosa County’s craft brew scene opened in 2020 in Navarre. Longtime homebrewer Michael Bares, a resident since 2007, received a lot of positive reaction to his beers at local festivals, which prompted him to start his own establishment. He built his brewery and taproom from scratch on land he purchased. 2199 HWY-87S, Navarre.
The owners of Johnny Huston’s Grille & Bar opened the Grey Taproom & Wine Bar as a complement to their popular restaurant. Co-proprietor Huston Walters suggests, “Guests can start out at Grey and end up at Johnny Huston’s.” Sounds like a plan. The place has a rustic exterior — “fish camp”-style on raised pilings (offering a nice view) — and a clean, refined interior that seats 70 comfortably. While it doesn’t brew its own suds, Grey offers 30 eclectic beers on tap and more than 30 wines from around the world, plus a terrific selection of cigars. 7622 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, (850) 204-8080.
Santa Rosa County got a jump on the rest of the state when this father/son operation — Paul and Patrick Rollins — became Florida’s first licensed distillery in 2012. Their Esprit De Krewe vodka, two types of Esprit de Krewe rum and limited production spirits are made with Florida molasses and have won awards from the American Distilling Institute. The spirits are made and bottled in house. Try them out in the tasting room, and enjoy a distillery tour. 5680 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, (850) 503-1275.
