It’s no secret that Jay and Colleen Dingman, owners of Barley Mow Brewing Company and The Raven Brewery & Eatery in Largo, have had success with creating interesting and unique brands. However, having two breweries wasn’t enough for these driven entrepreneurs. They’ve recently begun working on their third project, Sea Drift Ales & Lagers.
In order to launch the new business, the Dingmans made the decision to pull the Barley Mow brands from distribution. “It will be a little strange to no longer see Barley Mow beer out in the market, but I’m excited about what we’re putting together,” says Jay. The Sea Drift team wanted to create a true craft brand that was specifically designed with the Gulf Coast lifestyle in mind. Sea Drift will feature a “Florida Nautical” style of branding and will make its debut later this summer with the release of three core brands: Sea Drift Pils, All Hands IPA, and Dark Harbor Mocha Stout. Beyond that, Dingman says, further details are being kept close to the vest.
What does this mean for the Barley Mow Tavern? Beginning July 15th, all BMBC brands will be brewed and sold exclusively at the original West Bay location. And, despite rumors to the contrary, the Tavern will continue business as usual. Confusion began when the land where BMBC is located was sold to a developer. “While it is true that the 500 block of West Bay Drive is slated for redevelopment, that project is not scheduled to begin for at least a year.” Since BMBC has about a year to find a new home, the team has directed its energy into planning their Five Year Anniversary Party, Five Years of Blood, Sweat, and Cheers. This year, they’re stretching the celebration to four days, beginning Thursday, July 21st and will be hosting events at both The Raven and Barley Mow.