10 minutes north on SR 44, Wolf Branch Brewing is in a red barn. Lake County’s first craft brewery opened in 2016 and Mount Dora claimed it immediately.
The barn was a real barn. Now the silo is the entry and the hayloft is the seating area. Tanks are behind glass. The bar is 40 feet of reclaimed wood. There’s a beer garden with oak trees, cornhole, and a stage for live music.
Beers are named for local stuff. “Lake Norris IPA” is citrusy. “Citrus Blonde” uses oranges from a grove down the road. “Lantern Lager” is for the Mount Dora lighthouse. Flights are $12. Pints are $7. You can get a growler filled.
Food trucks rotate: tacos, BBQ, wood-fired pizza. Thursday is trivia, Friday is music, Saturday is packed. Sunday is dogs-welcome and slow. They do yoga in the garden one Sunday a month. Beer after.
The owners are from Eustis. They hired Mount Dora people. The head brewer lives in Sorrento. It’s a Lake County project that worked.
Local Tip: Try the “Saison du Dora” when it’s on. It’s brewed with local honey and only shows up twice a year. And join Mug Club if you’re local. $100 gets you a 20oz pour for a pint price all year.