Melbourne’s Hell ’n Blazes Brewing Company Wins Best Medium-Sized Brewery in Florida Again

brewery also won six medals for individual beers during the 2026 competition, including two gold and four silver

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Hell ’n Blazes Brewing Company in Melbourne, a popular downtown craft brewery, is once again earning statewide recognition after capturing top honors at Florida’s premier beer competition for the second year in a row.

Hell ’n Blazes Brewing Company has been named “Best Medium-Sized Brewery” in the Best Florida Beer Professional Competition, solidifying its reputation as one of the most decorated mid-sized breweries in the state.

The brewery also won six medals for individual beers during the 2026 competition, including two gold and four silver, competing against hundreds of entries from craft breweries across Florida.

The annual contest is organized by Best Florida Beer, a website and promotional platform dedicated to highlighting the state’s growing craft-beer industry. Beers are evaluated by certified judges and beer experts who assess entries based on style, aroma, flavor, and overall quality.

This year’s win marks the second consecutive year that Hell ’n Blazes has been recognized as the state’s top medium-sized brewery. The Melbourne brewery also captured the same title in 2025, along with five medals in that year’s competition.

 

With the back-to-back honors, the brewery is helping put Melbourne firmly on Florida’s craft-beer map.

Owner Don DiFrisco credited much of the brewery’s continued success to brewmaster Todd Furbeck, who oversees the company’s beer production.

Furbeck’s brewing program has helped the brewery consistently place among Florida’s top competitors, earning recognition in a field that continues to grow as craft brewing expands across the state.

Beyond the awards, Hell ’n Blazes has become a popular destination in Melbourne, thanks to its distinctive setting and atmosphere.

The brewery operates inside a fully renovated 125-year-old historic building in the city’s downtown district. The space features a large taproom with industrial-style décor, a game room for guests, and an expanded outdoor dining and live-music area.

Visitors come not only for the beer but also for the brewery’s upscale pub-style food, which complements its craft brews.

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