Blackadder Brewing: The Little Brewery That Can and Probably Should

Beer is a fantastic thing. It’s there for us during the good, and especially during the bad.

Communities have been fostered with beer, monuments have been designed and constructed and entire nations have been founded while under the influence of fermented grains and fruit. It’s a remarkable beverage. No more is the importance of beer exemplified than at Blackadder Brewing Company, right here, in Gainesville, Florida.

Sporting a rocking 4.8 stars with nearly 150+ reviews on Google, is Blackadder Brewing Company. Blackadder Brewing Company, which opened its doors on December 16, 2016, is the former dream and current reality of owners/husband and wife team, Chris and Sissy Hart.

The name, while being incredibly memorable, derives itself from a British sitcom of the same name from the 1980s that the Hart’s loved. Chris said it was easy picking a name because it was always there for them.

With a staggering 40 different taps to choose your drink of choice, Blackadder has everything from beer to wine to homemade sodas to wet your whistle. It’s very much like the largest buffet one has ever been to, except you’ll leave with a smile on your face instead of a loosened belt and a night of regret.

Chris and Sissy Hart have been home-brewing for over a decade, while traveling the world to fuel their shared passion for a great beer.

“Whenever we travel, all the bars we like to go into are the ones that look like this,” Chris said in reference to the bars cozy, European pub-style atmosphere.

With beautiful black trimmed walls, an occasionally roaring fireplace, wooden benches, a great long table and a designated chess area, it’s hard not to feel as if you’re stepping foot inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Pro tip: If you stop by during the holidays in December, it’s even more magical. 

Whenever we travel, all the bars we like to go into are the ones that look like this.

What is especially fun about Blackadder is the events and activities that they host throughout the course of the year. As summer is now upon us and Gainesville begins to slow down without the hustle and bustle of football season or new students arriving, Blackadder is there to help you spend your evenings and some cash as well.

Every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m., Blackadder hosts a very special “Wooden Nickel Wednesday.” For every beer purchased, one receives a wooden nickel; for every two wooden nickels, one gets a free beer. It’s a buy two get one special, and when dealing with tasty beers such as theirs, it’s a spectacular deal.

It’s not a new idea in the least, but what does set Blackadder apart from the numerous bars I have ventured into is their charity buckets. If one is feeling especially philanthropic, they can forgo their free beer and instead put their nickels into the buckets, where each nickel represents $3 that Blackadder donates to their charity of the month.

Wednesdays are also special because from 7 to 9 p.m. there is a very unique trivia experience. It is trivia no doubt, but like many things Blackadder does, it’s different.

There is no more writing down answers on a paper and handing it to the DJ. No more five minute waits between each question, which gives the other teams plenty of time to cheat. It’s all done on an application for both Apple and Android users, and only one person per team needs the app. There is roughly 10 seconds to answer each question and be prepared for some off the wall questions.

But the summer fun doesn’t stop there. “Brew & View” is every Thursday until July 26, starting at 7 p.m. Brew & View is a family friendly movie night where Blackadder breaks out the projector and the 10 foot screen to show classic and modern flicks to entertain you, your family and your partner’s eyeballs while you all drink a refreshing beverage.

Films shown thus far include “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” with plenty more hits as we make our way through the summer doldrums.

Other, less frequent events happening at the Brewery this summer include The Brewery Comedy Tour presented by Herron Entertainment, LLC. happening on June 25, and a block party Bark & Brew, co-hosted between Blackadder and neighboring pet supply store Earth Pets on June 30.

Gainesville resident and local brewery supporter Richard Leavitt says he visits Blackadder Brewing Company about once a week, usually on trivia nights.

“I love this place,” Leavitt said. “This community needed a local bar around here and the Harts are some of the best at what they do. The only downside is that I can’t buy their beer everywhere.”

Blackadder has bottled and sold two of their original beers at this point but plans on bottling more.

“We want to keep it special, but not so rare that it’s impossible to get and enjoy,” Chris Hart said.

I love this place. This community needed a local bar around here and the Harts are some of the best at what they do. The only downside is that I can’t buy their beer everywhere.

Blackadder isn’t just good at beer, it’s also good at helping the community. Touching on their giving side once more, they donate all of their spent grain to Kuma’s Playpen, a local ranch, to feed the pigs and chickens.

In addition, they are partnered with the Lubee Bat Conservancy, where they raise money through fundraisers and events to donate the wonderful research of our friendly bat neighbors here in Gainesville.

Blackadder Brewing Company is a very special little brewery. They constantly pump out great beers, partner with great causes and host great and diverse events.

If you live closer to I-75 than to downtown, or even if you don’t, make sure you stop by this fabulous local stop. I couldn’t recommend it more. If you’re looking for beers to try, give the Date Night or The Pink Rider a shot. If you’re looking for conversation, talk to Chris Hart about the prog rock band Yes.

He’ll know who sent you.

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