Prominent Tampa beer entrepreneur donates $2M to USF for two causes

The timeless pairing of sports and beer just got a monetary boost from a Tampa entrepreneur who is a big brain behind craft brews. Joey Redner, founder of Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, and his wife, Jennifer, gifted the University of South Florida $2 million with the caveat that half goes to the new stadium and half goes to the brewing arts program based out of the St.Pete campus. 

“It really boils down to my gratitude for the life I have been able to build in my hometown,” Joey Redner says in a statement. “USF's goals align with mine — to have a positive impact on the Tampa Bay area.”

Photo by Mark Wemple

The brewing arts program is a 23-week online course aimed at hobbyists and those looking to make a potential career change, teaching the entire process of brewing from base ingredients to the science and business of craft beer, according to the program’s website. 

The stadium, which broke ground last fall, is scheduled to open in 2027 for the USF Bulls football team, women’s lacrosse and other events. 

“We deeply appreciate this generous gift from Joey and Jennifer Redner that will truly make a difference for many years to come,” USF President Rhea Law says in a released statement. “Their support will help to enrich the University of South Florida experience for our students and grow the university’s impact in the community.”

Cigar City Brewing was founded in 2007 and officially launched in 2009. It partnered with Colorado based Oskar Blues Brewery to form CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective in 2016. The Collective was sold to Monster Beverage Corporation for $330 million in 2022. Redner has retained his role as CEO of the company throughout its history.