Angry Chair Brewing is the latest micro-brewery to tap into the craft beer market in Tampa. It also adds to Seminole Heights' reputation as a destination place for eclectic dining and drinking choices.
Watch the brewery's Facebook page for the announcement on Angry Chairs opening, one day this week.
The only hold-up after two years of hard work and waiting on bureaucratic red tape is a taste test of the German Chocolate Cupcake libation. It is a brew tried out at
Independent beer house with success.
"It had a lot of traction," says co-owner Ryan Dowdle, a former consultant for Cigar City Brewing Co.
He and co-owner Shane Mozur and brewing partner Ben Romano are eager to share this brew and four or five others that will be on tap in the tasting room along with "quest" taps from other Florida-only breweries.
Among the beer choices will be Round About IPA, Hoppy Ale and Gose, a tart German-style beer. German Chocolate Cupcake is a seasonal brew that will be offered two or three times a year along with a German-style seasonal of sour wheat with added tropical fruits.
Seminole Heights is the owners' location of choice, aided by an opportunity to remodel a 1941 block building at 6401 N. Florida Ave., across from
San Carlos Tavern. Most of the interior was gutted but as much as possible of the building's old heart pine was salvaged for reuse.
Hartley + Purdy Architecture and
LIVEWORK STUDIOS worked on the building design and interiors.
"I like the synergy (of Seminole Heights)," says Dowdle. "I like its sense of community which is not present in other areas. I like the way everybody works together and supports one another. Creativity and imagination of people around us makes complete sense. It's a thrilling time."
The Angry Chair is a place for people to get away from whatever is negative, whether it's being stuck in traffic or a bad day at work. "This is my celebration of it," Dowdle says.
He expects a very interactive relationship with customers whose opinions and tastes will determine which beers will be brewed.
Growlers will be available for take-home sale, and Angry Chair's brews will be offered at other locations including Independent and possibly
Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe. There is limited parking at Angry Chair but nearby businesses, including San Carlos, will open up parking spaces. And for those who walk or cycle to Angry Chair, discounts will be given.
Seminole Heights is seeing a lot of good business growth along Florida, including the under-construction
Fodder & Shine restaurant and the expansion of
Rooster & the Till.
And competition isn't a bad thing, Dowdle says.
"This is all good. We actually feed off each other," he says. "As long as we have people coming to Seminole Heights, we all benefit."
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