A Story of Beer And Friendship
It all started in October of 2000, when Rick moved into a new neighborhood and was walking his dog. On the walk Rick noticed a house with the garage door open, and it had carpet on the floor, a dart board, a sit down video game that looked like PacMan™, a TV playing the Gator game, and a refrigerator. But that’s not what stopped him in his tracks that sunny Saturday. No, it was the TWO tap handles attached to that refrigerator. Home keg systems are pretty common these days, but in 2000 it was a rare find.
Excited about his new neighbor, Rick walked his dog back and forth in front of Andy’s house until he came out, to which he ran up to Andy and blurted out, ‘HI!!! MY NAME IS RICK!”
It turned out that Rick and Andy had a lot in common, with the biggest thread being home brewing. Over the years they brewed beer in each other’s driveway, joined the Dunedin Brewers Guild together, and spent a lot of time talking about and drinking good craft beer.
But their fate wasn’t sealed yet. Rick threw a little house keg party the following Memorial day weekend, and had a huge turnout. The ½ barrel blew within the first hour or so. Luckily Andy was there, and Rick asked him what he had on tap at home. He said he had most of a keg of Anchor Steam flowing. And Rick said, “Can I borrow it?”. Andy said, “Sure!”, so they grabbed a hand cart and snagged the keg out of the fridge, and brought it to the party. At that moment in time, Rick knew he had a friend for life. Anyone who will loan you the keg out of their fridge is the type of guy you can trust.
Over the years they talked about opening a bar. What two guys drinking beer hasn’t done that? But as they visited breweries, tap houses, craft beer stores, and numerous beer events they picked up little ideas for things to do ... “Someday"
Then one day, out of the blue in the summer of 2008, Andy called Rick and said, “What are you up to these days? I think it’s time we open the bar we’ve been talking about”. Timing could not have been better, as Rick had recently sold his business, and wasn’t real sure of his next direction.
Andy was working in the Real Estate market, at one of the historically worst times in the last 50 years. Once the decision was made, it didn’t take long to open the first, and very humble little HOB™ in about 350 sq feet of useable space. “40 Taps, and 13 Barstools, Any Questions?”, was on the first shirt. And they proudly boasted that they had more taps per square inch than any pub in FL. Since no one questioned them, it had to be true
Andy Polce and Rick Clemo opened the Dunedin House of Beer Taphouse in February 2009 and quickly became one of America's Top 100 Beer Bars.
Both avid homebrewers, it was just a matter of time before the HOB started producing Excellent Beers of their own. With over a decade of experience bringing craft beer to the masses, the HOB Beers were designed and created with maximum likability and appeal.
In September 2019, They opened an Expansive Outdoor Patio and Recreation area, HOB Brewing Company, directly off the beautiful Pinellas Trail. 24 taps, typically 22 made on site, a cider tap and a guest tap. We also offer wine, a great array of hard seltzer’s and canned cocktails.
And in December 2020, They expanded once again by adding on a Two-Story Event Pavilion for Parties, Weddings, Live Music and More!