Funky Buddha sets opening date for new production brewery, statewide distribution

Funky Buddha Brewery announced the grand opening of its new full-scale production brewery and tap room in Oakland Park. Fla. will be on June 1, which will also coincide with new statewide Florida distribution. This facility will instantly become South Florida’s largest capacity brewery, offering a spacious bar with 30 tap lines, live music, brewery tours, growlers to-go and much more. From this location, Funky Buddha will distribute statewide via Brown Distributing.

Here is an inside look at the facility:

Inside the facility is a brand new 30-barrel brewhouse, proudly built in North America. This hulking system will initially push out around 175,000 gallons of draught beer per year; the space’s 18,000-square foot floor plan will provide room for further expansion, allowing for up to five times that quantity, which can be a key for growing brewers. Future plans include a packaging line for bottles and/or cans to service bars, restaurants and retailers statewide.

The new brewery will allow for sudsy stalwarts such as Hop Gun IPA and the delectable Maple Bacon Coffee Porter — which currently ranks in the Top 200 Beers in the World according to beer ratings website Beer Advocate — to be produced on an exponentially larger scale, thus leading to the statewide distribution.

“We’re extremely excited that this brewery will allow us to share our passion for craft beer with a larger audience,” said Head Brewer and Founder Ryan Sentz. “We could not have gotten here without the support of the Funky Buddha family and the entire brewing community.”

In addition to distribution, the brewery promises to be a huge draw for residents and tourists alike. A 3,000-square foot tasting room and bar will feature 30 drafts lines pouring flagship ‘Buddha brews, limited releases and beers from many of Florida’s other craft breweries. Among the tap room’s centerpieces is a 70-foot bar top lined by tall windows looking into the brewery, and a 15-foot tall, live-edged cherry wood back bar built by Asheville Mantle and Slab of North Carolina.

Aside from quaffing their favorite ‘Buddha beers, customers will also be able to listen to live local and national music acts, enjoy a few games of corn hole and bocce ball or just relax in the newly renovated plaza seating. The location also includes ample outdoor space to host beer festivals, food truck rallies and community events.

“It was critical for us to find a location that could offer a unique brewery experience,” said KC Sentz, general manager, co-owner and Ryan’s brother. “The potential of the building, the character of the surrounding area and the receptiveness of the community made choosing this spot an easy choice for us.”

Integral to the brewery’s success is the city of Oakland Park’s new Culinary Arts District, spearheaded by Redevelopment Management Associates of Delray Beach. Funky Buddha Brewery will serve as the cornerstone of the district, which will also feature restaurants, markets, a culinary school and a hydroponic farm with horticultural classes. The district’s newly renovated walking plaza sits directly in front of the brewery and will be publicly unveiled along with the brewery’s grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 1.