Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it has purchased Darwin Brewing Co. (Bradenton, Florida).

Founded in 2012 as a part of Darwin’s on 4th, an incredibly popular and highly respected Latin American gastropub, Darwin Brewing Co. expanded in 2013 with the establishment of a “fifteen-barrel production facility, taproom, and beer garden” located in downtown Bradenton across from LECOM Park. With a mission focused on “[incorporating] ingredients indigenous to Florida and the Americas,” Darwin has since made a name for itself with fan-favorite offerings such as Llama Mama Milk Stout, Circa 1926 Tangerine Wheat Ale and Summadayze IPA.

“Darwin Brewing Co. has a solid reputation for brewing the highest quality beers with an eye towards innovation and food pairs,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “We are excited to grow this hyper-local brand throughout Florida.

“It is our plan to take the next year to methodically find a new home for Darwin that will allow the brand to find some of its original roots regarding a culinary experience,” added Govoni. 

Big Storm Brewing Co. has been incredibly busy over the last year. Beyond acquiring Darwin Brewing Co., Big Storm expanded to Central Florida in November 2020 with the opening of a brewpub at Amway Center in downtown Orlando and their 11,000-square-foot taproom and restaurant in Ybor is set to open in early 2022. Prost!