Props Brewery: Veteran Inspired Craft Beer in the Florida Panhandle

Florida’s panhandle is fast becoming a quieter, more laid back contrast to the South Florida travel scene and Destin is leading the way as an alternative vacation destination. The Florida panhandle is also home to a growing number of breweries and brewpubs and one that my family and I visited and liked is Props Brewery and Grill, located at 255 Miracle Strip Parkway SE #19 in Fort Walton Beach next to Highway 98, close to Okaloosa Island.

Pub Grub, Please

Props Brewery and Grill specializes in American pub food, with a menu divided into the usual sections:

• Starters
• Soups and Starters
• Sandwiches and Wraps
• Burgers
• Entrees
• Sides and Add- Ons

I recommend kicking off with an appetizer such as the Bavarian Pretzel Sticks or Chicken Wings before moving on to a burger, sandwich, or entrée. The Bavarian Pretzel Sticks are made using Props’ own 4 Kings Brown Ale for added enjoyment and are served with mustard and cheddar sauce. The chicken wings are large in size and are prepared with flavors such as BBQ, teriyaki, buffalo, atomic sriracha,or garlic parmesan. Either of these appetizers will start you off right and they both match well with most any of the beers.

For your main course it’s a matter of taste, but my favorite among the ones I tried is the Smokehouse Burger. With barbecue, bacon, cheddar jack cheese, and smokehouse fried onions stacked high and served on a brioche bun, this burger will do you right, with a good level of spiciness that makes it a nice match with an IPA or similar beer.

Let’s Try Some Brew

Props Brewery and Grill usually has about 5 to 7 of its own beers on tap. Here are the beers I tried during my last visit, listed in alphabetical order by name, with my Untappd rating on a 5- point scale.

• Back Alley Pail Ale, 3.5
• Flying Coffin IPA, 4
• Props Oil Porter, 4
• Rye of the Tiger, 3.5
• Twin Prop Double IPA, 4

All the beers served here are noteworthy and respectable. I liked the two IPA’s and the Porter the best, but if I had to narrow down to one individual favorite, I would have to give the nod to the Twin Prop Double IPA. Well- balanced for the style, this beer is bitter with a dry finish. Its 8.5 percent alcohol by volume is deceptive, as it doesn’t seem quite that strong.

Some Props for Props

Props Brewery and Grill is a welcome surprise in Fort Walton Beach. It’s a brewery owned and operated by American veterans and I discovered Props mainly by chance one day when I was on vacation in nearby Destin, Florida, searching for local beer. I had already been to Grayton Brewing and Idyll Hounds Brewing, both located to the east, but I didn’t feel like driving that far for beer and besides, I wanted something more urban and closer to the beach. A quick check of an app on my cell phone led me to Props Brewery and Grill and, confirming the family- friendly credentials, I knew it would be a good place to take the wife and kids for lunch.

Props Brewery and Grill is a little smaller than other brewpubs/breweries. The inside is somewhat limited in space, but there is enough room to move around, watch sports, etc., while being small and intimate enough to strike up conversations with new friends. If the outdoor weather is agreeable, it might be best to walk to the outdoor patio/beer garden. The service is good all- around and the personnel will help you find the right beer for your tastes, as well as the best matching beer for your selected food dish.

This establishment has a somewhat limited menu, but there should be more than enough to find what you and your family members like and much of it does pair well with the beer. We liked the food items we had, but the beer is really the star attraction at Props Brewery and Grill. All of the beers are better than average and they do an excellent job on the porter and the two IPA. I started off with samples of each, then ordered a pair of larger servings at the end. This served as my dessert and I can say with confidence that it was every bit as enjoyable as a sweet, sugary treat.

One thing I learned after my visit is that Props Brewery and Grill has a second location in Fort Walton Beach. It’s called Props Brewery and Taproom (to distinguish it from the original location) and can be found at 125 Lovejoy Road NW. The newer location has more limited hours and, at last check, is closed on Sunday. But it’s still cool that Props has added a location because it shows the success of the brand and it’s more convenient for consumers. They have also just recently begun to can some of their beer; once again, proof positive that this is a brewery on the rise.

Props Brewery and Grill offers a casual, friendly, unpretentious atmosphere and above average hand- crafted suds. The attitude here is exactly what one would expect, given the culture of the Florida panhandle, and in many ways I like Props more than other, better known breweries and brewpubs in the population centers of Orlando, Tampa, and Miami. We spent longer here than expected, which shows that this is certainly a place worthy of a visit. It’s only a short drive west of Destin and is a fitting showcase for the western Florida craft beer scene.