YBOR CITY BREWERY Inc.
By Dave Paradine © 2002
Attention Beer Drinkers: If you’re a Floridian (natural or unnatural) try some Ybor Gold or one of it’s many Bottle Brews. They have some Excellent Tasting Beer + Ale. If you’re down here visiting Florida, look some up and give it a Try. If the Stores you go to don’t have any, ask for the Manager and put a request in for getting some ASAP.
PRE BREWERY BUILDING HISTORY
The Building that houses the Ybor City Brewery Inc. was erected in 1894 and opened in 1895 by the J. Seidenberg and Company. A Cigar Manufacturer located at 2205 N. 20th Street. They were involved with the Julius Ellinger Co. and the Ybor-Manrara Co. to form a trust called Havana-American Co.
In 1915 M Valle and Company, also a Cigar Manufacturer purchased the Building. They remained in business until 1932.
While lying vacant for 4 years, the United States Public Work Administration moved in and used it for a sewing room operation until 1942.
After lying vacant again through the War years and into the 1950’s, Hava-Tampa Cigar Company started to use it for Tobacco Storage. They used it that way until the mid 1980’s.
THE BUILDING LAY VACANT AGAIN UNTIL 1994………..
In late 1993, Humberto Perez and Humberto Lopez, executives with Prosit, a Venezuelan Brewery, created a Florida Corporation called Bay Brewing Co. Inc. They agreed on a price for the purchase of the Building but needed the Tampa City Council approval. They also needed approval from the Barrio Latino Commission, the local Architecture Review Board and revise the Zoning ordinance to allow for the Brewery.
In February 1994, they closed on the purchase of the building and everything was approved. In that time they changed their corporation name to Ybor City Brewing Co. They invested 2.6 million dollars on renovations and planned on opening 20,000 square feet of the 36,000 square foot Building to brewing by July of 1994.
After testing and making sure everything was Perfect, Huberto J. Perez, president and chief executive, gave Tampa it’s first glimpse of their Beer in November of 1994. Senior Brewmaster Fred Gerhardt and Brewmaster J. Grayton Brown produced a very Good Draft, a caramel sweetness, a slightly dry finish, nice Hop aroma, a medium level of bitterness and a 24-Karat gold color Lager called YBOR GOLD.
I just drank a six pack while watching the Battle of the Bay’s. (Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay 2002) Tampa Bay Buc’s were winners and so is YBOR GOLD. And believe me I totally enjoyed the Ybor Gold’s taste over my usual (major Brewer).
At the end of 1994, Ybor City Brewing Co. was set up to brew 5,000 barrels of Beer a year, with plans for making 60,000 barrels as time went on.
In February of 1995 the Brewery produced a short run of Ale, called Gasper’s Ale. This was put out as the “Ye Mystic Krewe”, celebrating Gasparilla Day, a World Famous Parade, and Party’s Party’s…. Party’s (Key West, and Duvall St. Eat your hearts out). Everyone refers this Brew to the “Ye Mystic Brew”. This was bottled and distributed until Feb. 18th. Gasper’s Ale has become a yearly tradition with Tampa coming out in the winter months only.
In July of 1995 Ybor City Brewery started to produce YBOR CALUSA WHEAT ALE formulated by Brewmaster David Evans. I tasted this recently (November 2002) and also thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a little afraid of “Ale”, after trying Ballantine Ale a few years back, which I had a hard time in swallowing. But Calusa was much lighter with a very good taste.
At the end of 1995 and into 1996 Ybor City Brewery started a British Invasion. (well another one) Brewmaster David Evans introduced a Dark Ale called YBOR BROWN ALE. I will give this a try soon (some at a Publix store now Dec 6 2002). Here again I will be afraid of “Ale”, I think after all my years of drinking regular Beer that Ale must be an acquired Taste, it has been around for a long long time and is still popular, so, somebody must like it.
In October of 1996 the Brewery introduced a seasonal Brew, YBOR WILD APPLE ALE. Only a hundred kegs were brewed for Bars and Restaurants, only in draft. This was targeted for the female crowd and was told to serve it in wineglasses.
The Ybor City Brewery Co. is considered a microbrewery, producing less than 15,000 barrels a year. Thus, under Florida Law, they are banned from distributing their own products. They are required to then deal with independent distributors. Unfortunately these same distributors are married with the Giant Breweries. In 1997 Anhueser Busch cracked down on Pepin Distributors Inc. (Tampa) and Great Bay Distributors in Largo. Busch sent the message with incentives to stick Exclusively with Anhueser’s products.
DOES FLORIDA WANT THERE OWN BEER????
This put a hurt on the Ybor City Brewing Co., but Mr. Perez was able to use J.J. Taylor Distributing (Miller). Still Beer sales took a dip from around 6,900 barrels a year to 6,100 barrels. Seems like old times…….this postally used 1913 Post-Card that was mailed from Atlanta Georgia say’s it all.
Also in 1997 the Ybor City Brewery won a Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver for YBOR GOLD. Kinda makes you think they opened some eyes and someone saw a possible threat.
Anything new happen in 1998? Sure would like to here about it.
In 1999 business was up and down but they did have 7 Distributors – J.J. Taylor, WM. Thies + Sons Inc., Apex, Jim Taylor Corp, Miller Brands, Champion Brands and S.R. Perrot Inc. These offered there Beers + Ales in more than 2 dozen Florida Counties.
They also introduced a 12 pack with 4 Bottles apiece of Ybor Gold, Calusa Wheat and Ybor Brown Ale. Do they still sell these? Does anyone have a empty 12 pack container?
In October of 1999 Ybor Gold won the Bronze Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Way to go!
