Hell ’n Blazes Brewery has claimed the top prize at the 2023 Florida Craft Beer Awards, the first Brevard County brewery to win the state’s premier brewing competition. The award was announced during the event’s ceremony in Tampa on April 7, with judges citing the brewery’s ‘consistent quality’ and ‘distinctive citrus-forward IPAs’ as key factors in the win. The brewery, located at 520 S Orange Ave in Melbourne, now holds the title of Florida’s Best Craft Brewery.
Owner Brian Thompson said the win is a ‘huge validation’ for the team. ‘We’ve been brewing here since 2016, and it’s incredible to see our community’s support recognized on a state level,’ he said in a statement. The brewery, which employs 28 full-time staff, has seen steady growth since opening its taproom in 2018. It currently distributes its beer to 30 retailers across Central Florida, including several in the Space Coast region.
The competition, hosted by the Florida Brewers Guild, evaluated entries from 87 breweries statewide. Hell ’n Blazes’ winning beer, the ‘Citrus Crush’ IPA, received top marks for balance and originality. ‘They stood out in a crowded field,’ said competition judge Maria Lopez, a beer industry analyst based in Orlando. ‘Their approach to hop variety and citrus integration is ahead of the curve.’
The win comes as Brevard County’s craft beer scene expands. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, the county now has 22 active breweries, up from 14 in 2020. Hell ’n Blazes plans to use its newfound recognition to fund a second fermentation tank, which will increase production capacity by 25%. ‘This is just the start,’ Thompson said. ‘We’re looking to grow our presence in the state and beyond.’