Friends take over Bootleggers Brewworx
By Mike Hamson
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: April 20, 2016
As Valrico neighbors, Shaun Goeckner and Mike Pitts brewed beer together for 10 years. The beer-brewing buddies decided to buy Bootleggers Brewworx when the brew-on-site retail store became available last August.
Goeckner said they plan a grand opening May 7 to show people their new expansion and renovations — including a beer-tasting bar.
“I have been brewing for 25 years or longer,” Goeckner said. “There are probably 100 different styles of beers. I’ve made a thousand different batches of beer.”
Originally from California, he got started brewing beer because he loves to cook.
When people visit the tasting bar at their retail store, they will only find Florida-brewed beer, he said.
He recently took a break from teaching people how to craft their own beer to talk about the store that sells wine and beer-making supplies and equipment. They also have classes on creating your own wine and beer, as well as parties.
“We teach people how to make beer and wine predominantly at home,” he said. “Because most of the folks we are teaching have never done this before, if they want to do it at home we will do the first batch with them. There is nothing more disappointing than spending a month or month and a half to make something only to find it tastes terrible. You screwed up somewhere along the way. It’s the No. 1 reason people quit brewing.”
He said people who want to brew at home often spend several hundred dollars on equipment to get started.
“Our whole angle on the process is maybe you don’t want to spend the money for your own equipment to take home and learn how to brew,” Goeckner. “You can spend 50 bucks at our shop and use our equipment and sit through a class on-site.”
As far as their own concoctions, he said people in the Brandon area know Bootleggers best for their “ice cream sammich,” an old-world milk stout beer that is high in calories.
Pitts said there is a science to making a good wine or beer, whether it’s crisp and clean or fruity. He said wine-making kits have dramatically improved since years ago when people made wine in their basements or garages. “We don’t squash the grapes, but we use the same juice that any wine manufacturing company would use,” Pitts said.
He said customers can make wine or beer but not liquor on their premises.
“It was a hobby for us,” Pitts said. “Now craft beer is really popular. Down the road, I hope to expand to liquor.”
For more information, call (813) 643-9463, or visit the shop at 650 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: April 20, 2016
As Valrico neighbors, Shaun Goeckner and Mike Pitts brewed beer together for 10 years. The beer-brewing buddies decided to buy Bootleggers Brewworx when the brew-on-site retail store became available last August.
Goeckner said they plan a grand opening May 7 to show people their new expansion and renovations — including a beer-tasting bar.
“I have been brewing for 25 years or longer,” Goeckner said. “There are probably 100 different styles of beers. I’ve made a thousand different batches of beer.”
Originally from California, he got started brewing beer because he loves to cook.
When people visit the tasting bar at their retail store, they will only find Florida-brewed beer, he said.
He recently took a break from teaching people how to craft their own beer to talk about the store that sells wine and beer-making supplies and equipment. They also have classes on creating your own wine and beer, as well as parties.
“We teach people how to make beer and wine predominantly at home,” he said. “Because most of the folks we are teaching have never done this before, if they want to do it at home we will do the first batch with them. There is nothing more disappointing than spending a month or month and a half to make something only to find it tastes terrible. You screwed up somewhere along the way. It’s the No. 1 reason people quit brewing.”
He said people who want to brew at home often spend several hundred dollars on equipment to get started.
“Our whole angle on the process is maybe you don’t want to spend the money for your own equipment to take home and learn how to brew,” Goeckner. “You can spend 50 bucks at our shop and use our equipment and sit through a class on-site.”
As far as their own concoctions, he said people in the Brandon area know Bootleggers best for their “ice cream sammich,” an old-world milk stout beer that is high in calories.
Pitts said there is a science to making a good wine or beer, whether it’s crisp and clean or fruity. He said wine-making kits have dramatically improved since years ago when people made wine in their basements or garages. “We don’t squash the grapes, but we use the same juice that any wine manufacturing company would use,” Pitts said.
He said customers can make wine or beer but not liquor on their premises.
“It was a hobby for us,” Pitts said. “Now craft beer is really popular. Down the road, I hope to expand to liquor.”
For more information, call (813) 643-9463, or visit the shop at 650 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.
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