Five years ago, Craig and Cheryl McBay opened Florida Keys Brewing Company (FKBC), the first and only 100% locally owned and operated brewery in Islamorada. On Feb. 16, they celebrated their milestone in true FKBC style – with iguana races, axe throwing, live music, and, of course, lots of beer. The McBays bought the original warehouse at the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District in 2014 and celebrated their grand opening in March 2015. Subsequently, they opened the Beer Garden, dedicating the OG taproom primarily to tours, special events and, well, brewing the beer. Offering delicious, local and unique brews, FKBC has also grown to fill an entertainment gap in the Upper Keys by hosting fun and frequent events. In honor of their special five-year occasion, FKBC opened the original taproom for the day and featured their unofficial anniversary beer “Big Dick,” a stout aged in Jack Daniel’s barrels and named after the late Jack Snipes – a local musician known for his band Big Dick & The Extenders (or for some – Big Richard & the Family Fun Band). There were dedicated iguana racing pit crews (like Team Lighting McGreen), brew-serving mermaids and Iguana Bait-yielding Mr. Iwanna Iguana.
