Pictured: Skeleton Man IPA is back at Calusa Brewing, along with limited-edition Skeleton Man t-shirts. Courtesy photo.

Since opening in 2016, Calusa Brewing has become one of Sarasota’s most well-known and respected craft breweries. Calusa has built a reputation for its ever-rotating selection of innovative and consistently well-crafted beers. And with its welcoming, laid-back vibe and ongoing events, the Calusa taproom has become something of a community hangout.

On Friday, March 28th, Calusa will host a Night Market, something they try to do on the last Friday of each month during season. People are invited to come in, grab a beer, and browse offerings from local vendors including handcrafted candles from Beaver Wicks Candle Co., orchids from Blue Pagoda, plants and coffee from Roots & Roasts, natural handmade soaps from SoaPure and vintage records from Vinyl Vault. The event will run from 5pm-8:30pm indoors in the Calusa event space. Calusa will follow the Night Market with another gathering on Saturday, March 29th, for one of their frequent Can Release events.

“We’re a small brewery, so we’re constantly releasing new brews and old favorites,” says co-owner Vic Faulck. “We have maybe sixty brews that we rotate through, and then we try to mix it up and come up with new ones from time to time as well.”

Last week, Calusa brought back Skeleton Man, a double IPA that Faulck describes as “cult favorite”. This week’s can release will feature The Healer, a crisp, easy-drinking golden ale that was one of the first beers ever released at Calusa, and Peach Ring Bliss Berliner Weisse, a tart and fruity wheat beer made with real peach juice. All beers mentioned are available on draft and in 4-packs to go.

Really though, Calusa has something going on just about every evening. There’s the Monday Run Club with Scorch Fitness at 6pm (with $1 off beer for participants), game show nights on Tuesdays, Thursday trivia, and more. To keep up with what’s brewing, sign up for the biweekly newsletter on the Calusa website.
Calusa Brewing,

5377 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, 941-552-8846, www.calusabrewing.com.

Pictured: Skeleton Man IPA is back at Calusa Brewing, along with limited-edition Skeleton Man t-shirts. Courtesy photo.