When writer Leslie Long returned to Gulf Shores, Alabama, she discovered a cool, new place to grab a craft beer, with clever names, good music and friendly people. Pull up a chair – she’s taking us to Big Beach Brewing Company.
Photo courtesy Big Beach Brewing Company.
Craft Beer and Cool Music at Big Beach Brewing Company in Gulf Shores, Alabama
It was a typically sultry summer night in the waterfront town of Gulf Shores and we were heading to the recently-opened Big Beach Brewing Company. New to the town since my last visit, I didn’t know what to expect. We hadn’t even gotten out of the car before I knew I liked the place.
The taproom has an industrial looking brick facade with huge garage doors that were wide open, bringing in the twilight air. Inside and out, groups of friends and family were sipping flights of beers or enjoying their favorite brews in glasses with the brewery’s well-designed logo depicting three hallmarks of the Gulf Shores life: sea, sand and sun.
After ordering our flights inside, we headed for one of the outdoor tables just as a great local band was setting up so that was a nice surprise (that’s why the guy who walked in just before I did was carrying a drum!). Friendly groups kept arriving, many with kids and dogs along for the fun. Check the calendar for the upcoming musical line up which looks really good.
Take flight (or two) at Big Beach Brewing Company to figure out which ones you like best.
Big Beach Brewing Company: “We brew what we like.”
Brewery owners, Jim and Julie Shamburger made this their credo and what could be better than that? Longtime craft beer aficionados, they began brewing beer in their basement and under their stilted house in nearby Orange Beach. As their skills improved, their dreams moved toward bigger things and soon they had an idea. Gulf Shores has lots of bars and restaurants, but it didn’t have its own brewery. The couple set out to change that and in October of 2016, they opened their doors to an enthusiastic audience that hasn’t let up.
Big Beach Brewing Company’s menu board shows off some of their clever beer names.
Big Beach Brewing Company: From Evacuation Plan Ale to Honey Basil Wheat, 12 taps of goodness
Craft beers are known for playful names, but I especially liked the humor behind Evacuation Plan American Blonde Ale, brewed during hurricane season. And if you like wheat beer, Amy Honey Basil Wheat is unique with the addition of locally-sourced basil along with lemon, clove and other summery aromatics.
Ale of Two Cities is a dark beer with stone-fruit flavors, plus malt and caramel — and Czech It Out Pilsner is a golden American light lager based on a classic recipe from 1842.
The ever-evolving selection includes 12 taps of craft beer and house-made, non-alcoholic lemonade. While food isn’t on the menu, Big Beach is happy to help you order from a local restaurant and you’re free to enjoy it in the taproom or outside. You’re also welcome to bring food from home and make an evening of it. While all that outdoor space is nice, when summer’s over, the action moves indoors to the cozy taproom and warming fireplace.
And who doesn’t love a great shirt or hat from a fine craft brewery? With that distinctive sun and sand logo, Big Beach Brewing Company offers a nice assortment of gear you can check out here .
With a definite airy, open feeling, Big Beach Brewing is a pleasurable place to hang out.
Big Beach Brewing Company is just the beginning of the pleasures of Gulf Shores
The town of Gulf Shores has a tagline: Small Town, Big Beach (which happens to be what inspired the name of the brewery) — and that just about says it. There’s a laid back quality to the area that gives it a small town feel and yes, the beach is impressive. With warm water, gentle waves and the finest white sand I’ve ever seen, it’s pretty close to perfection.
Most visitors rent waterfront condos in Orange Beach, the town right next to Gulf Shores. Spectrum Resorts at Turquoise Place is a good place to find the right condo for groups of any size. For casual elegance, be sure to have lunch or dinner at Cosmos. The food is fantastic and the gift shop is pretty great, too. If you’re looking for a big fun-filled spot, The Hangout could easily become your hangout. It has huge porches, a sandpit, a firepit, playgrounds, music events and of course, excellent Gulf Coast seafood.
— Article and photos, except where otherwise noted, by Leslie Long.
When you go:
Big Beach Brewing Company, website, here.
300 E. 24th Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
For more about Gulf Shores, visit their website, here.
Hungry for more? Check out something else to drink in Gulf Shores of the thick, creamy variety at The Yard.
Nice article – sounds like my type of place. I worked in the Gulf Coast area for a few years – loved it there. Good people!!!
Hi Dean. Good to hear. Thanks for sharing the kind words.