The story of 3 Daughters Brewery in St. Petersburg, FL, is a testament to the power of curiosity and family ambition. It began with a simple question in the minds of Leigh and Mike Harting: Could craft beer truly elevate beer-battered fish? This culinary curiosity, combined with the very relatable goal of funding their three daughters’ college education, sparked the journey of what would become one of Florida’s largest independent breweries: 3 Daughters Brewery St Pete Fl.
The Origin Story: Two Questions and a Brewing Revolution
Operating a successful restaurant in St. Petersburg, Mike Harting and his head chef, Ty Weaver, embarked on a mission to perfect a beer-battered fish recipe. Their approach was hands-on and experimental, much like any dedicated chef in the kitchen. They decided to utilize their own handcrafted brews in the batter, drawing parallels to cooking where recipes are guidelines, taste is paramount, and the ultimate hope is for widespread enjoyment of the final dish. The initial results were promising. Upon introducing this craft beer-battered fish, brewed in-house, to their restaurant patrons, the response was more than just positive – it was overwhelmingly popular. The beer used in the batter quickly became a customer favorite, outselling all other beers on tap and hinting at a potential far beyond the restaurant kitchen.
From Restaurant Experiment to Brewery Vision: A Family’s Leap of Faith
The escalating demand for their handcrafted beers prompted Mike, Leigh, and Ty to consider expanding their brewing capabilities. Initially, the idea was to integrate a small, upgraded brewing system directly into their existing restaurant. However, fate intervened when they discovered an industrial-scale, 30-barrel brewhouse. This equipment, far from being restaurant-compatible, was larger than their entire dining area. It was at this juncture that Leigh posed the defining question that would shape their future: “How many beers do we have to sell to put our three daughters through college?” This question wasn’t just about logistics; it was about family, aspiration, and the bold decision to pivot. With this, 3 Daughters Brewing was officially conceived. December 2013 marked the grand opening of their first dedicated brewery in St. Petersburg, operating from a modest 1600 square-foot tasting room. Mike focused on the operational and financial aspects, Ty channeled his brewing expertise into creating exceptional craft beers, and Leigh took on the crucial role of sales and distribution, driving across Florida to introduce 3 Daughters beer to a wider audience.
3 Daughters Brewing Today: A Cornerstone of Florida’s Craft Beer Scene
Today, 3 Daughters Brewing has evolved into a prominent force in the Florida craft beer industry. Their original tasting room in St. Petersburg is not just a brewery taproom; it’s a vibrant destination, recognized as one of the busiest in Florida, hosting over 250,000 visitors annually within its expansive warehouse-turned-entertainment venue. Expanding their footprint, 3 Daughters Brewing opened a second tasting room in Clearwater Beach in March 2022, complete with its own brewing system and stunning views of the Gulf Coast. Further extending their reach into travel and tourism, they launched their first airport location at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in May 2022, catering to over 2.4 million passengers each year. Driven by Ty’s innovative brewing and Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit, 3 Daughters Brewing now boasts an impressive portfolio that extends beyond beers to include award-winning ciders, seltzers, Vodka+Soda canned cocktails, energy drinks, and even non-alcoholic beverages and their own honey. With Leigh’s continuous sales efforts, 3 Daughters Brewing products are now available throughout Florida, from Key West to the Panhandle, and in major retailers, amusement parks, liquor stores, and restaurants across the state. 3 Daughters Brewery St Pete FL stands as a symbol of local success, family dedication, and the thriving craft beer culture in Florida.
