The story of 3 Daughters Brewing, a cornerstone of the St Pete Brewery scene, began with a simple question: could craft beer elevate a classic beer-battered fish? For Mike and Leigh Harting, owners of a successful St. Petersburg restaurant, this culinary curiosity sparked an entrepreneurial journey far beyond their initial expectations. Alongside their head chef, Ty Weaver, they experimented with crafting the perfect beer batter using their own homebrews. It was a process of culinary improvisation – tweaking recipes, tasting, and hoping for a favorable verdict. When they finally tapped their craft beer creation, the response wasn’t just positive; it was overwhelming. Their house-brewed beer-battered fish became an instant hit, outselling every other beer on tap.
The unexpected popularity of their beers ignited a new ambition. Initially seeking a small-scale brewing system to fit within their restaurant, Mike and Leigh stumbled upon a significantly larger, industrial-sized 30-barrel brewhouse. This discovery prompted Leigh to ask the pivotal question that would define their future: “How many beers do we have to sell to put our three daughters through college?” With this ambitious goal, 3 Daughters Brewing, a prominent st pete brewery, officially opened its doors in December 2013. Starting with a modest 1600 square-foot tasting room, Mike focused on operations and securing funding, while Ty channeled his culinary expertise into crafting exceptional beers. Leigh took on the crucial role of sales, driving across Florida to introduce 3 Daughters beer to a wider audience.
Today, 3 Daughters Brewing stands as one of Florida’s largest independent breweries and a must-visit st pete brewery destination. Their original tasting room in St. Petersburg has transformed into a bustling entertainment venue, drawing over 250,000 visitors annually. Expanding their footprint, they launched a second tasting room in Clearwater Beach in March 2022, complete with its own brewing system and stunning beach views. Further extending their reach, May 2022 saw the opening of an airport location within St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, catering to over 2.4 million travelers each year.
Thanks to Ty’s innovative brewing techniques and Mike’s entrepreneurial drive, 3 Daughters Brewing has diversified its offerings beyond award-winning beers to include ciders, seltzers, Vodka+Soda canned cocktails, energy drinks, and even non-alcoholic beverages, alongside their own honey production. Spearheaded by Leigh’s relentless sales efforts, 3 Daughters Brewing brands are now available throughout Florida, from Key West to the Panhandle, and Jacksonville to Naples. You can find their products in major retailers, amusement parks, liquor stores, and restaurants across the state, solidifying their place as a leading st pete brewery and a Florida favorite.
