Crooked Can Brewing Company opened the doors to its long-awaited Minneola location on July 15, giving Lake County residents their first look inside a sprawling brewery complex that has been years in the making.

The surprise opening, announced on social media platforms earlier that very day, drew crowds eager to see the new destination, which features a massive taproom, production brewery, outdoor beer garden, performance stage, splash pad and food hall near the Hancock Road interchange of Florida’s Turnpike.

At roughly 40,000 square feet, the Minneola facility is significantly larger than the company’s flagship location in Winter Garden and is designed to serve as Crooked Can’s new headquarters.

While the brewery is now open daily, company officials say the project remains a work in progress.

“Only the taproom is fully open right now,” Crooked Can tells customers in a social media post, noting that most food hall vendors are still completing construction and will open in phases over the coming weeks.

For now, guests can enjoy beer, live music, outdoor gathering spaces and the splash pad while additional pieces of the project come online.

Paul Bishop, general manager of both the Winter Garden and Minneola locations, said the opening represents an opportunity to introduce the brewery to an entirely new audience while welcoming longtime customers.

“The most exciting part is seeing the guests that are regulars at Winter Garden come check out the new place and then also welcome in all the new guests that have never experienced Crooked Can before,” he says. 

The food hall is expected to house 11 vendors once fully operational. Seven of those concepts are new to Crooked Can, while several popular vendors from Winter Garden have expanded into the Minneola location.

Among the announced vendors are Kai Kai BBQ & Dumplings, Norigami, Three Birds Cafe Express, The Local Butcher and Kitchen, Sir Benji’s Donuts, Empanada & Co., Braza Orlando, Pita Street Food, AJ’s Pizza Joint, Daniel’s Cheesesteak House and This Little Piggy.

Beer production also continues to ramp up.

Management recently told customers that brewers are still learning the new production system and are gradually increasing output. As of opening week, eight beers had completed fermentation and were available on tap, with additional offerings expected as production expands.

Outside, the property includes one of its most family-friendly attractions — a splash pad that company officials recently confirmed is open daily from 9 a.m. until dusk.

The site also features a large lawn area, permanent outdoor stage and beer garden designed to host live entertainment and community events.

Crooked Can founder Andy Sheeter partnered with co-owner Alan Delahunt to bring the project to Minneola as part of the rapidly growing Hills of Minneola development.

The brewery is currently open from 11am to 11pm Sunday through Thursday and from 11am to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Additional food hall vendors are expected to begin opening throughout the remainder of the summer as construction and final inspections are completed.

For now, visitors are finding plenty to explore inside one of Lake County’s newest and largest gathering spots.

Photos by Paul Krieger, Hills of Minneola, Lisa InFla, Michelle Hanausek Delaney