Two new breweries slated to open in Thomasville | Around the Brew Bend

We aren't part of the Scooby Doo gang, but we have been following one doozy of a craft beer mystery around these parts for years.

"Why doesn't Thomasville — and its illustrious downtown area filled with amazing dining and shopping that we all know and love — have a craft brewery?"

Entertainment:Looking for things to do this weekend? Check out Top 5 events in Tallahassee

Breweries:Join the club: TLH Beer Society's 2023 member cards arrive in time for Black Friday

Distillery:Thomasville gets distillery; Wakulla says 'yes' to brewery | Around the Brew Bend

What we'd encounter when we'd inquire about that over the years was lots of hemming, hawing and shrugging. But it was always followed by a statement: "Good freaking question."

Well, no need to ask that question anymore. Because in a few short weeks, Thomasville isn't going to finally be home to "a" craft brewery — it's going to be home to TWO.

First up, T'velo Brewing

The first to announce its arrival earlier this year was T'Velo Brewing, which is founded by the owner of Hubs & Hops — a popular craft beer bar and bike shop located just off the main strip when you come into downtown Thomasville.

But when Hubs & Hops relocated to a larger building just behind their storefront last year, it left the old Hubs & Hops building primed for something new. And Hubs & Hops owner Roger Hawkes knew just what we wanted to do with it: open Thomasville's first craft brewery.

And for the last 8 months, countless hours have gone into getting T'Velo Brewing ready to pour — and now that day is almost here!

"Very, very close," Hawkes told us this week when asked if he had an opening date yet. "I don't want to put an exact date out there yet because there are always hiccups when trying to get open, but we are aiming for very early January. We've gotten clearance on everything we need — licensing, permits, fire marshal, the city, you name it - all that's left is the brewing. We're very excited and can finally take a deep breath that (all the red tape) is cleared. Now, we're actively brewing beers, and as soon as we have enough ready to open, we will let everyone know!"

But when T'Velo does open, it looks like they'll have some company.

Distillery adding craft beer

We'd heard rumblings that Thomasville's first-ever distillery — 1861 Distillery — was looking to expand into craft beer about 6 months ago. And while 1861 owner and founder Brian Higgins confirmed as much to us at the time, we didn't know where that stood until 1861 made a post in mid-November that the City of Thomasville had officially approved 1861 for a license to begin brewing beer.

"Big News! Tonight we received our city license to manufacture beer! More updates soon!" 1861 posted on its Facebook page.

Fast forward one month later, and Brian has the equipment in place, his brew team assembled and is ready to roll. In fact, like T'Velo Brewing, 1861 is working on its first batch right now too.

And just like that, Thomasville has gone from zero breweries to two — and the race to be the first to pour a #MadeInThomasville brew is officially on!

Circling back to where it started

When asked what made 1861 - which won eight national medals (3 golds, 2 silvers and 3 bronzes) earlier this year for its spirits - want to delve into beer, Brian said it's all part of the journey he's been on for years.

"Beer is the evolution process that started this business for us. It began many years ago in the kitchen home brewing. Home brewing in turn led to trying to make wine, and eventually distilled spirits," he said. "So we are simply circling back to where it all started."

Brian said, believe it or not, the process for brewing spirits vs. brewing beer is not all that different.

"The mashing process is essentially the same with distilled spirits and beer, just different grains and the size of the grist," he said.

And Brian, just like Roger, can't wait to share the fruits of their labor with Thomasville.

"We have a lot of excited people in Thomasville and the surrounding cities," said Brian, who hopes to debut 1861's first batch of beers in early January 2023. "It will be an exciting new adventure to share with everyone!"

Cheers to T'Velo and 1861 - and we wish them nothing but the best as they both progress toward opening day!

Brew Bus to Circle City

The Tallahassee Brew Bus itself is no more; the pandemic all but squashed traveling to packed bars and restaurants with strangers.

But the Tallahassee Brew Bus brand DOES live on.

We are still booking private tours from time to time for the Brew Bus when we get requests, but we also will put on some of our own ticketed tours too. And this weekend, we've got a good one.

Another new brewery set to open in the Tallahassee-area is Circle City Brewing in Dothan, Alabama, - marking just the city's second craft brewery behind Folklore Brewing and Meadery. Circle City was founded by the owners of another one of our area breweries, Southern Fields Brewing, which is located in Campbellton, Florida, just before the Florida-Alabama state line. Circle City will be located in downtown Dothan and is slated to open Dec. 30 to the general public.

They're giving TLH Beer Society members a VIP sneak peek this Saturday, Dec. 17. We partner with other local tour companies now and use their buses for trips, and we have secured a 27-passenger luxury bus for the trip. We'll depart from Lake Tribe at 3 p.m. on Saturday, head to Dothan, spend a few hours being the very first to sample CCB's beer and food menu, and then come back to Tallahassee around 10 p.m. Should be an awesome day!

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend - or just wanna blow off that lame office holiday party - then join us! The cost per person is $40 and you can reserve your seats by emailing us at TLHBeerSociety@gmail.com.

We are thrilled to get this chance to get a first look at all the hard work the team at Southern Fields has been up to, and we can't wait to welcome them to the TLH Beer Society family!

And by the way, Circle City - as is T'Velo and 1861 - are all proud supporters of the 2023 TLH Beer Society Membership Card! Check out who else is offering deals and perks in 2023 at TLHBeers.com.

Cheers and happy holidays, Tallahassee!

Danny Aller is the co-founder, along with Matthew Crumbaker, of the TLH Beer Society. Reach the Beer Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or email: tlhbeersociety@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Thomasville soon to be home to two new breweries | Brew Bend