Background
Mike Bisaha started Big Top Brewing in 2013. Their brewmaster, Josh Wilson of Parrish, had been homebrewing for 25 years and was encouraged by a distributor to go pro. Bisaha’s 6,000-square-foot facility started with a 30-barrel system with a goal of 26,000 kegs per year. They were prepared for canning and kegging from the start.
In 2018, Big Top Brewery with a restaurant opened in Pensacola and Gainesville.
Experience
This little brewpub east of downtown Sarasota just celebrated its one year anniversary in April 2015. We encountered friendly people and beertenders. There is bar seating with a few tables and a few games available. Big Top Brewing was named for the city’s history with Ringling Brothers Circus and the impressive museum in town. My favorite beer was probably the Ashley Gang Outlaw Imperial Double IPA, more nose and flavor than their Circus City IPA. My co-conspirator enjoyed the White Sands Wheat the most and Suncoast Pale Ale. No food available at this point but they had a food truck the day we were there.
Did not note walkable lodging nearby.
When in Sarasota you might want to check out J. Dubs Brewing in Sarasota or Motorworks Brewery and Darwin Brewing both in Bradenton.
