Wop's Hops Brewing Company

"Quaint little bar located in downtown Sanford. I've always enjoyed the laidback and friendly atmosphere here. They're got a good beer selection brewed in house. There's an outdoor area with tables and benches where you can let the kids roam about. Good little place to kick back and enjoy your self."

"Wop’s Hops is the OG when it comes to craft breweries in Sanford Florida! Founded in 2014 in what was once a fish shop with a separate restaurant next door, it is now one big happy building with a doorway punched through and a ton of brewing goodness going on. I stopped in for a couple of pints after a long walk and lunch down the road a bit, opting first for the Marco Luppolo IPA with Bella hops (6.4% ABV; 59 IBU), followed by Phil’s Passion Project (5% ABV; 37 IBU). The Luppolo is part of an ongoing IPA series through the years, using different hops; the Passion Project is a Pale Ale with hints of passion fruit, but not so much as to be overpowering. Of the two, I found the latter to be most to my liking, as it was flavorful on the front, and just a bit malty on the back side. I ordered up a crowler to take home. The Luppolo is a very approachable IPA, especially for beginners. The tap list is impressive, with a wide variety of beer styles and interesting ingredients, but none too powerful on the alcohol side. You won’t get snockered after only a couple, which makes them inviting to all, even if you have never had a Brown Ale or Scottish Ale before. I enjoyed listening to my beer server tell me the history of the building, and how Wop’s Hops survived COVID. I raise my glass to them for making good use of that crowler machine, because the sidewalk sale they had must have been huge. Inside the brewery is very unassuming and unpretentious, with a number of first responder patches and so forth brought in by visitors through the years. It’s very much a community brewery, with a loyal clientele, but welcoming to folks like me who wander in off the street whenever I am in town. Bring your thirst. This one’s a keeper."

"Definitely loved the vibe in this place. The little bar has an energy all its own and was packed with locals when I visited. They have a very interesting beer list, with a few that jump out at you like the White Chocolate Amaretto Cream Ale and the Marco Luppolo IPA. Owner was a nice guy and I chatted it up with a few of the locals before leaving. Sanford's first microbrewery is a good one."

"Historic conversion to community social spot. Enjoyed eclectic atmosphere and diversity of beer. Everyone friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Can be kid friendly depending timing with food offerings. Food - Pub Fare (burger, fries) opportunities to diversify Beer - Sampled: IPA, Stout, Ales, Lagers Beers were unique in mixtures like lychee blonde ale. Strongest was the Cream Ale for all around. I will say having tried the majority of Orlando's offerings over the years, the base mashes were mellow across beer types. So despite being different categories the flavor profiles were very similar across the spectrum. Overall easy drinking and would go back when in town."

"The first and still the best brewery in historic Sanford, FLA. Since 2014, the brew scene here has exploded; there are now five breweries, as well as several excellent taphouses (for you non-beer folks, there is also a very good distillery and an awesome authentic tiki bar, as well as several great bars). Veteran-owned joint with an awesome cold and cavey interior (inside an old fish market) and an awesome beer garden, complete with a few bar games and a seemingly-domesticated velociraptor (he's at least leash-trained). Amazing, and ever-changing, brew selection, each better than the one before (we especially loved the session and the hazy IPA and the guava wheat and the coconut ale and the blue cherry lime razz hard seltzer and the creamy pistachio, the list goes on and on). You should definitely make a day of it and hit all five Sanford breweries, but if you only have time for one, this is it!"