By: Miami New Times Writer

In certain neighborhoods in Miami (looking at you, Wynwood), breweries are on just about every corner. To be fair, many of them offer excellent brews. You'll need to travel a few miles west of Wynwood to find what is truly one of the best breweries in Miami, though. The Tank opened the doors to its brewery in 2016 and added a taproom and cigar lounge just a few months later. Situated near Miami International Airport, it's an optimal spot for locals who love to go off the beaten path and travelers who want to see what Miami has to offer as soon as they hit the ground.

The Brewery

The Tank dedicates more than 7,500 square feet of space to its brewing area alone. The massive room provides enough space to house the entire brewing system, including more than 20 fermentation tanks, each of which holds between 15 and 60 barrels of beer. In addition to its own taproom, the brewery, which opened in April 2016, partners with Gold Coast Beverage Distributors to provide its most popular beers to restaurants and bars around the city.

The Taproom

The size of The Tank's taproom is nothing to scoff at, either. A small estimate puts its square footage at 4,000, providing enough room to seat at least 120 people and house up to 480 more during standing-room-only events. The space's décor stays true to its home in an industrial building. Exposed ductwork and high ceilings provide a minimal design that is trendy without being overdone. During the day, you'll find board and card games, dominos, cornhole, and even giant Jenga. Depending on the night, you might also find a DJ or live music. To further add to the unique vibe, The Tank features a lounge that partners with the cigar distributor next door to bring connoisseurs a variety of high-end cigars. Of course, craft beer pairs well with great food, so the taproom also collaborates with Twisted Fork Kitchen. The food truck is known for its casual fare, including one of the best burgers in the city and amazing truffle potato chips. The goal of The Tank's taproom is to provide a full-service experience, and it delivers.

The Brews

If the atmosphere hasn't convinced you to check out The Tank, the brews will. In fact, the brewery is home to a world-renowned beer. La Finca is a Belgian-style, Golden Saison that won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup in May 2018. The win came after nearly 300 judges from more than 30 countries pitted it against a whopping 8,233 other brews. Among French and Belgian ales, La Finca was the best of 87.

The taproom offers 16 beers that range from the always-available Freedom Tower, an American Amber named after a Miami landmark, to a variety of limited releases, such as an Imperial Stout known as Frank the Tank and a British Porter deemed the London-Style Porter. Other options available at The Tank include several in an Abbey series as well as many seasonal brews. Whether patrons try a summer-style Pale Ale or an IPA in the winter, one thing remains the same: The Tank makes some of the best craft beer in Miami and uses some of the most flavorful ingredients on the market to do it.

The People Behind the Beer

Once owner Carlos Padron, formerly a manager and consultant in the cigar industry, had his vision for combining a brewery, taproom, and cigar lounge—he searched for the best names in brewing to help him turn it into a reality. His head brewer, once a professor at Florida International University's hospitality school, paired up with another aficionado, Mohsen Saade, to start creating the brews that Miami patrons have come to love. The rest, as they say, is history.

Stop in after work. Grab some friends for a casual night on the town. You can even bring the kids during the daylight hours. Whatever you do, though, make sure you check out The Tank. You can't skip these brews. Where else can you find some of the best craft beers in the world while enjoying a cigar, a meal, and a game? Just remember to book a Lyft driver so that you can take in the full tasting experience!