Tequesta Brewing Co. (TBC) is the flagship brewery of the group with an intimate taproom that features a long bar leading to the brewing tanks in the back. Twisted Trunk Brewing Co. in Palm Beach Gardens is the first sister brewery. Featuring a towering glass wall that allows visitors to peer into the brewery, the taproom offers multiple seating options with a bar, leather chair vignettes and high-top tables. Guests can also compete in games of cornhole out front. The third installment in the family of breweries is Steam Horse Brewing Co. in West Palm Beach’s Warehouse District. The décor and design pay homage to the legacy of rail in The Palm Beaches. Guests can choose from a variety of seating options both indoors and on the outdoor patio area that overlooks the railway.

The breweries showcase a love for The Palm Beaches with beers like Steam Horse’s West Palm Lager and Twisted’s Palm Beach Pilz and IPGA, an IPA named after the boulevard the brewery calls home. Twisted also recently released a hard seltzer. Their locations are bustling, relaxed and inviting with regulars settled in daily.      And Fran Andrewlevich is the co-owner of all three. How did his career in brewing begin? He wandered into Irish Times Brewing in Palm Beach Gardens in 1994, and it turned out to be the right place at the right time. Since then, he has been a brewer and beer consultant for 25 years.

We asked Fran our Brewmaster Q&A and here is what he had to say:

What type of brewing style do you specialize in?

Quality balanced beer.

How long have you been with your brewery?

Since our doors opened at Tequesta Brewing Company in 2011, we have been brewing delicious craft beer from Tequesta to the West Palm area for over 10 years.

Describe your breweries in five words.

1. Family-oriented 2. Energetic 3. Hard-working 4. Driven 5. Brew Delicious Beer 🙂

What sets your breweries apart from others on the Ale Trail of the Palm Beaches?

We are a tight-knit family. Everyone at our brewery is considered family, and we are all there for each other on a daily basis. Whether you enjoy brews at TBC, Twisted or SteamHorse, we are all one brewery with multiple locations. When you walk into our brewery, you feel like you are a part of the Brewery Family.

Tell us about your signature beer.

Our signature beer, Der Chancellor, brewed at TBC is distributed all throughout the county. Der Chancellor is a German Kolsch coming in at 5.3% ABV and 22 IBU. This beer is smooth, crisp, with a golden color balanced with German malt and floral German Noble hops. IPGA is another one of our signature beers, brewed at Twisted Trunk Brewing. This American IPA is 6.2% ABV and 67 IBU with a medium body with tropical fruit flavors and aromas. Our last signature beer is the West Palm Lager, brewed at our newest brewery Steam Horse Brewing. This beer is a European-style lager with a crisp and clean finish. Coming in at 5.3% ABV and 30 IBU, this beer is the perfect drink for summertime.

What types of styles or flavors do you like to experiment with? Any unusual ingredients you’ve used?

Our brewers love to experiment with different local fruits, wood and spices. We also feature Treatment Tuesdays at TBC every week, where brewers can get creative with many different flavors.

What should people know about the craft beer scene in The Palm Beaches?

The craft beer scene has exploded in The Palm Beaches. It seems there is a brewery at every corner, which means there are a lot of breweries to choose from. Let’s support our breweries and spread the fun!

What is the perfect beer to drink on a sunny day?

Either West Palm Lager or Der Chancellor. One of our favorites is the new Twist Seltzer brewed at Twisted Trunk. With flavors changing weekly, this is the perfect summer drink!

Say you need a break from beer; where do you go for a drink, and what do you get?

The beach and something cold and fresh.

Where was the last great local meal you had and what was it?

Stage is located right next to Twisted Trunk and I love the food! The Black Truffle Naan is to die for, as well as the Butter Chicken Masala. Definitely can’t go wrong with those two.

Describe your perfect day in The Palm Beaches.

It’s a Monday (I’m off). Cup of fresh Oceana Coffee followed by minimal exercise. Good quiet day to check on the breweries and get set for the week, followed by some craft beer with friends, grab fresh seafood from Cod & Capers, sneak out to the beach before dinner.

What are the three things you’d tell a first-time visitor to do while they’re here?

Check out our local beaches (1), local breweries (2) and the locals (3) of Tequesta, Jupiter and West Palm Beach.

Ready to Visit?

The TBC taproom is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Corner Café is next door for those wanting to order food.

Twisted Trunk is open Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. In addition to Stage located within the same plaza, food menus from neighboring restaurants are also available for customers to order delivery.

Steam Horse is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m., Thursday from 2 to 10 p.m., Friday from 2 to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. Grandview Public Market is just down the rail line for food options.

All the taprooms are closed on Mondays, have a selection of wines for non-beer drinkers, and offer happy hour each day. Growlers and select canned beers are available at each location as well.

Before you go, make sure to get your Ale Trail of The Palm Beaches savings pass for exclusive savings at breweries throughout The Palm Beaches.