The Ultimate Craft Beer Guide

Our guide to the area's craft beer culture. Plus, the reader's guide to Sarasota, Rep. Tom Rooney's escape from Washington and our 2018 Top Doctors.

In this issue:

Arts & Entertainment

Writers World

10 Sarasota-Based Authors, Past and Present

Sarasota has long prided itself on its authors, some of them household names. Here are 10 who belong in our Writers’ Hall of Fame.

05/30/2018 By Kay Kipling

Adventures in Reading

Move Over, Amazon—Sarasota's Got Several Great Brick-and-Mortar Bookstores

These local shops help book lovers get their fix.

05/30/2018 By Kay Kipling and Allison Forsyth

Adventures in Reading

Sarasota Is a Reader's Paradise. Here's Where, How and Why to Get Lost in a Great Book.

Books, authors, libraries, clubs, shops—we're a reading-crazy town.

05/30/2018

The World Onstage

International Thespians Arrive This Month for a Festival of Plays at Venice Theatre

International thespians arrive this month for a festival of plays at Venice Theatre.

05/30/2018 By Kay Kipling

Adventures in Reading

How to Run a Great Book Club

Bookstore1 event manager and book club leader Elsie Souza’s tried-and-true tips.

05/30/2018 By Megan McDonald

My Cross-Country Companion

On the Road with Harry Potter Audiobooks as a Guide

"There was an entire world contained in those four doors, a world of magic and mystery, heroes and monsters."

05/30/2018 By Beau Denton

Adventures in Reading

Today's Libraries Feed Families, Teach Children How to Make Robots, Help with Taxes—and Much More

Sarasota and Manatee libraries have greatly expanded their collections and services.

05/30/2018 By Susan Burns

Queen of Hearts

Literary Agent Karen Solem Finds the Romance in Reading

“I think everyone can write a book."

05/29/2018 By David Hackett

Adventures in Reading

Libraries to Love

One-stop learning awaits at these treasuries of books, videos, artwork and more.

05/29/2018

Adventures in Reading

Uncovering the Rare Treasures at A. Parker's Book Bazaar

Owner Gary Hurst's downtown Sarasota book shop is home to more than 70,000 books—plus a collection of rare artifacts and collectibles.

05/29/2018 By Isaac Eger

From the Editor

From the Editor: Summer Beach Reads

Susan Burns on great books—and beer.

05/29/2018 By Susan Burns

Best of Sarasota

Best Brews

The Local Craft Beer Scene Just Keeps Growing

The industry here has seen an explosion of interest, with 11 breweries right in Sarasota-Manatee.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Eat & Drink

Best Brews

The Beer-Obsessed Create Their Own Brews

The Homebrewers Association of Manatee & Sarasota boasts a thriving membership.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Brews

In Defense of Cheap Beer

I’m a fan, and not just because of the price.

05/30/2018 By Isaac Eger

A Brewing Controversy

Are Women Welcome in the Craft Beer World?

While 29 percent of employees in American breweries are women, just 4 percent of active breweries have a female brewmaster, according to one survey.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Culinary Countdown

Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week Kicks Off June 1

Here are a few examples of great Savor Sarasota deals.

05/30/2018 By Marsha Fottler

Rising Star

Star Thai and Sushi Brings Izakaya Style to Siesta Key

The eatery serves a long list of Thai and Japanese classics, but you’ll also find less common noodle dishes like lad na, a more inventive than usual sushi menu and an impressive pick of Japanese whiskies.

05/29/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Cheap Eats

10 Bucks or Less: Sabrosa Kitchen + Bar

Sabrosa Kitchen + Bar satisfies cravings from breakfast until the bars close.

05/29/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

Review: Pazzo

Southside Village's Pazzo stands out in a crowd of Italian eateries.

05/29/2018 By Marsha Fottler

Fashion & Shopping

Beating the Heat

How to Beat the Heat This Summer—and Still Look Cool

Sizzling summer accessories with a cooling vibe.

05/30/2018 By Heather Dunhill

Health & Fitness

Testing, Testing

From Dermal Resurfacing to Iron Therapy, Sarasota-Manatee is a Hub for Clinical Trials

In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved 47 new cancer drugs; 38 of them were tested right here in Sarasota.

06/01/2018 By Hannah Wallace

One Day

A Day in the Life of Buddhist Teacher Gen Chodor

We spend a meditative day with Buddhist teacher Gen Chodor.

05/30/2018 By Susan Burns

Home & Real Estate

My Five Favorite Things

My Five Favorite Things: Selby Gardens Horticulture Director Mike McLaughlin

Horticulture director Mike McLaughlin lovingly tends the 15-acre Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Mr. Chatterbox

Mr. Chatterbox Gets His Moment on Antiques Roadshow

For a week, Mr. C paced around the house, critically inspecting all the junk he'd collected over the years. Which might do the trick and get him an on-the-air spot?

05/29/2018 By Robert Plunket

Only in Sarasota

Only in Sarasota: The Thomas House, Sapphire Shores

This month: an opulent 1920s estate.

05/28/2018 By John Pirman

News & City Life

Why I Care

Blood Donor Bill Pooley Reaches the Remarkable 100-Gallon Milestone

Pooley is one of fewer than 150 100-gallon donors in Florida out of millions of donors since World War II.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Bravo!

Art Ovation Fills an Empty Corner Downtown

The hotel is creating buzz on a corner of downtown that has been vacant for years.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Made in Manatee

General Pneumatics Airplane Escape Systems are Made in Manatee County

General Pneumatics’ products open emergency slides and rafts.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Travel & Outdoors

Gator Watch

Essential Info About Florida Alligators

Gators by the numbers.

05/30/2018 By Ashley Cooper