Tampa Bay’s Newest Micro-Brewery Storms into Pasco

August 2, 2012

Pasco County’s first micro-brewer, Big Storm Brewery, received a green light from Pasco County Commissioners on July 24 for its tasting room at the West Pasco Industrial Park. Started by longtime friends, Clay Yarn and Mike Bishop, Big Storm Brewery is the story of two entrepreneurs taking their passion and hobby and turning it into their dream job. Founded in 2011 in Pasco County, Big Storm Brewery opened its new production facility in Odessa, and on Friday, July 13, celebrated its grand opening at The Brass Tap at Duck Slough and SR 54, while awaiting final approval to open its tasting room. “It’s been crazy since we opened,” said Mike Bishop, co-founder and head brewer at Big Storm Brewery. “Restaurants can’t seem to keep it in stock, and we’re brewing as fast as we can, hoping we don’t run out!” Big Storm Brewery hand-crafts three different products:  WaveMaker Amber Ale, PalmBender Pale Ale, and FireStorm, a Black IPA. The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc. has been providing general business guidance and assisting the brewing company over the last year to secure a location.  John Hagen, President/CEO of Pasco EDC, also teamed up with Prof. John Lax at Saint Leo University to help Big Storm Brewery with its marketing plans. Their mantra, according to Clay Yarn, CEO/President of Big Storm Brewery, is “Blood, Sweat and Beers,” and Yarn holds to the belief that “anything great and worth doing requires hard work.” Big Storm Brewery is located at 2438 Merchant Avenue #103, Odessa, FL 33556. For more information on tasting hours, you may contact Big Storm Brewery directly at (727) 807-7998.