Editorial – Sebastian has two great breweries in town that I believe are better than some of the selections being served at our bars and restaurants.
Why are some restaurants and bars in Sebastian serving other beer made in Vero Beach when we have our own? We have two top breweries in our town.
Pareidolia Brewing Co., located at 712 Cleveland Street in Sebastian, was named the Best Brewery on the Treasure Coast by Indian River Magazine.
Pete Anderson, a former 4th-grade math teacher, started the brewery in 2014 with his wife Lynn.
Pareidolia does a great job sponsoring local charity events and are involved in our community throughout the year.
“It makes a difference when buying local. The money stays here to help our local economy,” Anderson told Sebastian Daily.
One of their most popular beers, called 32958 or Zip Code, is served at places like Captain Hirams, Woody’s BBQ, Tiki Bar & Grill, Capt’n Butchers, and the Crab Stop.
“As a Sebastian restaurant owner, our business relies on support from our local community. So for me, it’s only natural to support our own family of Sebastian businesses. We have a great relationship and the same mindset, helping each other, especially in the times like we’re in,” Woody’s BBQ owner Kathy Birt told Sebastian Daily.
I recently asked a local establishment why they served a beer from a Vero Beach brewery and not one from Sebastian. They didn’t know the answer, other than their distributor may have recommended it.
At Capt. Hirams, they seem to sell a lot of “Zip Code” beer from Pareidolia because they keep running out of kegs.
I often see beer taps for breweries like Vero Beach’s Walking Tree or Fort Pierce’s Sailfish Brewing Company, but not from our own.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against the Vero Beach breweries. I visit them and enjoy their craft beers as well. They are all different, and that’s what makes this so interesting.
However, why not add a tap from Paredolia to help support our community? We’re not saying to get rid of the others, but at least offer something local that’s brewed right here in our town.
Some people would also like to see Mash Monkeys Brewing Company in our restaurants and bars. They are another Sebastian brewery that has a big following.
Unfortunately, Mash Monkeys doesn’t have a distributor at this time. They hope to have one soon. It’s hasn’t been a priority because of everything they’ve been going through during their shutdown from COVID-19. Mash Monkeys has since reopened for business.
Here’s to hoping that one day all Sebastian restaurants and bars serve craft beers made in our town by Pareidolia and Mash Monkeys.
