Tampa, Florida, has an abundance of high-profile attractions and activities for visitors, including the historic Ybor City district, Lowry Park Zoo, Busch Gardens theme park and nearby Gulf Coast beaches. The city also is home to a Yuengling brewery that provides a free factory tour and a behind-the-scenes look at its beer-making process.
Yuengling's Tampa History
- D.G. Yuengling & Son is America's oldest brewery, having been founded in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Its Tampa brewery was established 170 years later when the company bought a former Stroh's brewery in 1999 as part of the company's expansion to meet increasing nationwide demand. The Yuengling brewery is close to the University of South Florida campus and about 9 miles north of downtown.
Tour Details
- Yuengling's Tampa brewery provides free public tours to all ages three times a day on weekdays -- usually in the late morning and early afternoon -- and two times on Saturdays, when there is no beer production. The factory is closed to the public on Sundays. A gift shop is open from morning to mid-afternoon. Tours may be postponed or cancelled because of severe weather conditions. Group tours can be scheduled for parties of 15 or more, but a reservation is required and a nominal fee is charged.
Get Your Hops On
- The tour consists of a behind-the-scenes look at how Yuengling uses modern technology to brew its beer while remaining true to the company's traditions. Tour guides also share the history of the brewery and explain the brewing process. The company opened a new brewhouse in 2013 that is part of the tour. At the end of the tour, visit the biergarten, where visitors ages 21 and older can taste free samples of Yuengling products. A valid ID is required. Soft drinks are available for guests under age 21 and for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.
Tour Tips
- The public tours typically last about an hour and 15 minutes. For safety reasons, Yuengling requires its tour visitors to wear completely closed shoes, with no sandals, flip-flops or clogs allowed. Pets are also not allowed on the tour. Guests can bring video cameras, recorders and cellphones, and photographs are permitted. Although the factory building is not wheelchair accessible, a computer presentation can be given upon request for disabled guests.
