Further proving that Florida – and specifically Tampa Bay – is coming into its own as a craft beer community, Willard’s Tap House opened in January in Largo. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Blaine and Chrissy Smith, Willard’s is the latest craft beer bar to open offering an impressive selection of brews from around the country. With forty taps and a “no crap on tap” policy, Tampa Bay craft beer lovers have a new place to get their fix for excellent libations.
Both Florida natives, Blaine and Chrissy (pictured) left careers in other fields to follow Blaine’s dream of opening and running a craft beer tap house. He worked in commercial refrigeration for several years, but as the economy took a turn for the worse, he found himself on the road far more than he liked. Trips to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale (a good four to five hour drive each way) became more of the rule than the exception, and finally he knew it was time to give it up. His knowledge of refrigeration systems has certainly helped in his new venture, and he still maintains a good relationship with his former employer. Chrissy left a career in real estate to help Blaine with the new venture, also driven by the downturn in the housing market. As Blaine plainly put it, “I am just really lucky I married a woman that loves beer!”
This article appears in Aug 5-11, 2010.