Brewery Review - Grove Roots Brewing Co.

Grove Roots Brewing Co.

5.2 miles and 11 minutes in the car!

I’m not a LEGO guy. I have family members, many adults who are. I’ve never been to LEGOLAND Florida. Honestly, I don’t know when I would for a variety of reasons. When I did have kids that were of the prime age, well we didn’t go. This is a place for kids, and if you want to laugh Google “adults and Legoland” to see some complaints this resort isn’t catering to adults. Hey, the Dragon’s Den has local craft beer! Clearly they want to capture the adults who bring the kids.

Please don’t take this as me hating on LEGOLAND. It’s just not currently relevant to my interests. And I applaud their efforts to provide children of all abilities an accessible resort and place to play. 

Love That View!

As I was saying, 5.2 miles. So, let's say you have worn yourself out being surrounded by kiddos at LEGOLAND, and you find yourself needing a more adult stop, Grove Roots Brewing Co. in Winter Haven could be for you with it being just 5.2 miles from the theme park. The building is largely metal construction, think Morton Building or industrial shed. But the inside is roomy, with plenty of space for youngsters worn out from brick building without really getting in the way of adults. The space is heavily decorated with orange farming posters and memorabilia. The brewery is the creation of a local, and locals are a big part of the vibe. I could see numerous thirsty citizens drinking from their own personal mugs. It felt like there were more locals than visitors on this Saturday. We were very comfortable, and we were sipping and looking straight into the brew house, which has a lot of metal, more than I expected for a hometown brewery. 

An Orange Tap Room!

So, let's talk about the beer. I only got one, there was an Imperial Stout on tap. “Nightmare Cupcake” is a big 12% ABV with no IBUs beer. It is dark and thick. The description notes a life spent in a bourbon barrel and vanilla and cocoa flavors. Honestly, I didn’t taste strong tones of vanilla or chocolate in “Nightmare Cupcake.” I found it pleasant, but more woody from the barrel than sweet. My partner in crime grabbed a peanut butter stout, “Peanut Pickers” which they found extremely pleasant. Overall, they were solid pints, the type that any local could be proud of. 

"Nightmare Cupcake"

Who Drinks Here? Winter Haven locals, this is your spot. I’ve seen your Grove Roots’ mugs with your name on it! If you are running out to LEGOLAND, and you want a side trip, it’s worth the stop. But if you were looking to stage a brewery adventure from a city like Orlando, I don’t know if I’d spent the time and miles to only visit a fine yet local brewery that is a little out of the way.