Best Brews

Every brew tells a story at Brewlando, and owner Shara Pathak has a fascinating one of her own.

“I never had any intention of owning a brewery,” Shara says. “You could say, Brewlando happened quite by accident.”

It all began about three years ago, during the height of the COVID crisis and the holiday season. Shara owned a building that was about to lose its tenant—Castle Church Brewing Community, a craft brewery that, like many others, struggled to survive the economic downturn. She could have simply moved on, but as an entrepreneur at heart, she saw an opportunity.

“The brewing equipment was already in place. But most importantly, there was a team of skilled, passionate people who needed their jobs,” she recalls. “I thought, why not? This could be something special.”

Shara’s background was far from the world of craft beer. She started her career in manufacturing before pivoting into software development. Then came this unexpected third chapter—brewing. It was a major leap, but she knew that surrounding herself with the right people would be the key to success.

“I knew nothing about the business, but as part of the settlement with Castle Church Brewing, we got all of their inventory and use of their license. I needed to assemble a team of experts right away and I got lucky. I hired James Webb as CEO a seasoned veteran with 25 years of experience at major brewing companies like Yuengling.”

Today, Brewlando has four locations: Brewlando Brewing in Orlando, Brewlando Maitland, Winery and Tasting Room by Brewlando in Icon Park, and Brewlando Sanford. Each location offers something distinct.

“Brewlando Brewing has a chic industrial vibe. The Winery and Tasting Room is upscale and intimate. Maitland is a fun, community hangout and Sanford has a retro, historic charm,” Shara explains.

Of course, the heart of Brewlando is its beer. Bestsellers like Jernigan Hazy IPA, Hoffner Hefeweizen, and Belle Isle Blonde each have their own backstory.

“Jernigan Hazy IPA, for example, is named after Aaron Jernigan, Orlando’s first settler in the 1830s. Our signature sparkling rosé is from Graham Beck in South Africa—served at Mandela’s funeral and Obama’s inauguration.”

What sets Brewlando apart in the competitive craft beer scene? Unparalleled freshness, distinct flavors, and a leadership team that blends brewing expertise with business acumen. Brewlando isn’t just about great beer—it’s about creating experiences, telling stories, and building a community.

With four locations and a growing reputation, one question remains: Is this enough? “Absolutely not,” Shara says. The Brewlando story is just getting started.