When it comes to beer, there is a world of possibilities for people to choose from. Destin Commons’ newest business will bring that world to locals and tourists starting Monday.
World of Beer opens Monday in the expanded portion of Destin Commons. The new tavern and restaurant will feature 53 beers on draft and another roughly 500 in bottle.
“World of Beer really is the world of beer,” said Andrew Johnstone, market development partner for World of Beer. “Every one of our beers is local somewhere, that’s one of the things we try to bring to our taverns.”
Destin Commons will be the second location for World of Beer in Northwest Florida, which also has a tavern in Pensacola.
“As you drive by, this is just the centerpiece of the Destin area,” Johnstone said. “I just think it’s a tremendous location.”
With the tavern opening tomorrow, much of the past week was spent putting the finishing touches on the building, its patio and training their 75 employees. By the time the tavern opens, its staff will have gone through a two-week training program to educate them on the different styles of beer.
“Anybody can build a building, put in draft lines and stock it full of 500 beers, but I think what really separates us from some of the competition is the commitment to a two-week training program before we open up,” Johnstone said.
World of Beer features an infusion tower, which they can hook up to any of their draft lines to add new flavors to the beers they have on tap. At some of their other locations, Johnstone said they add vanilla bean, cherry and cinnamon stick flavors to their beers, among others.
Even the food menu is very beer focused. Almost every item on the menu comes with a recommendation of a beer that would go well with that dish. Some items, such as the Guinness brat sliders, the Sriracha lime shrimp tacos and black and tan onion rings, are prepared with beer.
World of Beer will have cornhole and giant Connect Four and Jenga games for people to play and live music with local bands on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Bob Perry, general manager of Destin Commons, said World of Beer will be a great addition to the center.
“We don’t have anything like it right now and it compliments what we do have here on property,” Perry said. “With the live entertainment component in particular, I think that’s going to be a really great activity for our tourists and our locals.”
Drink and dine
World of Beer will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.
Sundays will also feature what’s called the beer brunch with menu items such as the beer-battered waffles and the hangover skillet with an omelet, tater tots, sausage and candied bacon. Mimosas, beermosas and Bloody Mary’s will also be served.