Angry Chair Brewing's been in the making for a while (two years, to be exact), showcasing its suds at events like those hosted by Cajun Cafe on the Bayou and Tampa Bay Beer Week.
But at 3 p.m. Thursday, the brewery officially opened its Seminole Heights space at 6401 N. Florida Ave. And there's still time to snag a taste — Angry Chair's open 'til 11.
"I've been waiting two years for this," said brewmaster Ben Romano, a former Cigar City Brewing beer-maker.
Around 4, folks who caught wind of the debut, including Cigar City's Todd Strauss and others in the industry, began trickling into the tasting room.
Light fixtures fashioned from pipes and metal tractor seats, outfitting the wooden table and bar tops, greet patrons as they choose between 5-ounce, 12-ounce and 16-ounce pours, which co-founder Ryan Dowdle told CL will remain on the menu.
According to him, the smaller pours are convenient for those who want to sample more than one beer, or who don't want to commit to 12 ounces.
Dowdle, who owns the brewery with Shane Mozur, says Angry Chair didn't think about opening day's lineup — an IPA, red ale, Gose, stout and Florida Weisse — with a we-have-to-have-this mindset.
"We're going to brew what we like," Dowdle said, noting that input from patrons will also be incorporated into the process.
Angry Chair will fill growlers next week, and plans to start distributing a "little bit" in the next few weeks, according to Romano. Collaborations are in the works, too.
The tasting room won't be open Monday. It operates from 4 p.m. to close Tuesday and Wednesday; 3 to close Thursday; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday; and noon to 9 Sunday.
