Big Hammock Brewery in Ocala, Florida
Big Hammock Brewery in Ocala, Florida

A new brewery is bringing craft brews and popular Asian cuisine to Downtown Ocala.

Big Hammock Brewery, located at the intersection of Fort King Street and 1st Avenue at 103 SE 1st Ave., held a ribbon-cutting event and celebrated its grand opening this past Friday.

Big Hammock Brewery opened its doors in Ocala, FL
Big Hammock Brewery has opened its doors in Ocala.

The brewery invited dignitaries, including Mayor Kent Guinn, to the ribbon-cutting and gave additional insight into the business name and decor.

The name lends its origins to the natural settings of Ocala and Silver Springs over the past 100 years. The brewery features photos from all around Ocala, which is derived from the Timicuan tribe “Ocale” and roughly translates to “this now.”

Big Hammock Brewery ribbon cutting
Owners Tim Thomas and Mark Obenour cut the ribbon among dignitaries, including Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn.

Owners Tim and Janice Thomas and Jason and Emily Delaney will brew craft beers in the restaurant starting this summer, with plans to serve those beers alongside a menu filled with Asian fare.

The foods offered at Big Hammock Brewery will be a mix of staples like Ramen, a Japanese soup that features hearty broths and wheat noodles coupled with meat and vegetables, and Chinese dishes like pot stickers and cong you bing, a scallion pancake filled with pulled pork, similar to a quesadilla.

Ramen is the featured dish at Big Hammock Brewery in Ocala, Florida
Ramen is the featured dish at Big Hammock Brewery in Ocala.
Pot stickers are another favorite on the menu at Big Hammock Brewery
Pot stickers are another favorite on the menu at Big Hammock Brewery.
Cong You Bing is a Chinese dish that features a scallion pancake filled with seasoned pork.

The brewery will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and will stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Like many downtown businesses, it will close on Sunday and Monday.