A secluded industrial park on Tallahassee’s northwest side is home to a small but ambitious brewery — one that is celebrating its milestone 10th Anniversary this Saturday.
Family-owned Lake Tribe Brewing — founded by Connor and Laura Ross, who opened the doors in 2015 in a warehouse complex at 3357 Garber Drive — has spent the last decade becoming known for delicious beers, vibrant outdoor beer garden, live music, and cozy campfires.
They were Tallahassee’s second-ever production craft brewery to plant its flag in Florida’s Capital City — not long after Proof Brewing was founded in 2012 — and they have been steady as a rock producing both small- and large-batch craft beers for 10 years now.
Yet, somehow, it still remains Tallahassee’s best kept secret. Perhaps it’s the location as the city’s Western-most brewery. Or perhaps it’s because they have so many loyal regulars who consider Lake Tribe their home away from home, and they prefer keeping it that way!
What is known for certain is that Lake Tribe brings an assortment of robust, flavorful beers, all individually crafted to celebrate the great outdoors in their diverse tastes that offers a little something for everyone. The family-friendly and dog-loving brewery offers board games for all ages and free homemade dog treats made out of spent grain from the beer.
Open Thursday through Sunday, the tasting room offers year-round craft beers like crisp lagers, hoppy ales, tangy sours and a diverse selection of specialty beers, like Black IPAs, Wild Sours, Seasonal Stouts and Fruited Golden Ales.
Son Jesse Ross is the head brewer. Another son, Jason Ross, is the lead graphic designer. And youngest son Jordan Ross and his wife Hayley do a little bit of everything — from brewing beer, to planning events, to booking bands, to designing merch, to marketing and social media.
It’s truly a family affair — fueled by a labor of love for making great, fresh, local craft beer — at Lake Tribe.
Thursday night is Trivia Night. Fridays pairs free live music on the back deck with tasty food truck offerings. Many Saturdays will offer market days, concerts and charity events with local partners. And Sundays are fun days with a rotating selection of canned and draft beers and occasional special events.
But perhaps the most interesting thing about Lake Tribe is how it got its name.
Lake Tribe Brewing opened in January of 2015, but the roots were planted many years ago around a campfire at Camp Indian Springs in Wakulla County. “The Lake Tribe” was an Indian Guide tribe at the camp where shared outdoor activities cemented friendships between a group of men and their sons. Connor — the Chief of the tribe — along with Jesse, Jason, and Jordan — later started Lake Tribe Brewing as a tribute to good friendship, love of nature, and quality craft brews.
And now 10 years later, they are throwing a big party all weekend long to celebrate their journey.
It all starts Thursday with a 10th Anniversary merchandise release, Trivia Night & a visit from Wok N Roll Tacos.
Then it continues Friday with a special “Tuxedo Beer” (Black IPA mixed with White Wolf Experimental IPA), live music by Chris James Acoustic Duo and a Kairos Mediterranean.
Saturday, April 5, is the big day with an early opening at 1 p.m., 10 new beers on tap to commemorate 10 years in Tallahassee, food from Cooter Point Cajun Corna’ and Wok N Roll Tacos, two live music acts (Ben Banks & The Backups and The Tuesday Supper Club) and a host of local vendors holding pop-ups.
But even though they’re releasing 10 new beers for their 10th anniversary, you can ALWAYS find Lake Tribe’s two signature offerings on tap — Satsuma Wheat and Red Cloud IPA — as well as in most local Publix stores and many local restaurants. The Satsuma Wheat is made with Fresh from Florida farm-grown Satsuma oranges from Florida-Georgia Citrus, and Lake Tribe uses a state-of-the-art 20-barrel Brewhouse to manufacture all their beers.
So get out this weekend, discover – or rediscover – Tallahassee’s best kept secret by traveling to the west side of Tallahassee. Once there, you can immerse yourself in the artistry and growing history of Lake Tribe Brewing.
If you go
What: Lake Tribe Brewing 10th anniversary with 10 new beers on tap to commemorate 10 years in Tallahassee, food from Cooter Point Cajun Corna’ and Wok N Roll Tacos, two live music acts (Ben Banks & The Backups and The Tuesday Supper Club)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5
Where: 3357 Garber Drive; laketribebrewing.com
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly misspelled Connor Ross’ name due to an editing error.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lake Tribe Brewing still one of Tallahassee’s best kept secrets 10 years later
Reporting by Pat Biggins / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
