Bradenton brew firm sips sudsy win

BRADENTON — A startup craft brewery in downtown Bradenton, Motorworks Brewing, scored a major victory with Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

Lakewood Ranch-based Gold Coast, one of the largest beverage distributors on the Gulf Coast, will now carry Motorworks products into bars and restaurants throughout Manatee and Sarasota country, according to a release. Gold Coast, with around 175 employees, had $97.4 million in 2013 sales. The firm carries dozens of beverage brands, including Anheuser-Busch products.

Motorworks, on 9th Street West, opened last year in an historic brick and concrete building originally completed in 1923. A former Hudson auto dealership, the complex now has a 30-barrel full-production brewing system; a 3-barrel pilot system; and 10 fermenters that range in size from 3 to 90 barrels each. There's also a large taproom and bar and an outdoor beer garden. Local entrepreneurs Denise and Frank Tschida own Motorworks.