Road Trips for Beer needs to keep a closer eye on what’s happening in our own back yard.

We just found out that Shipyard Brewing Co. out of Portland, Maine, is opening a brewpub within a couple of months in Central Florida in partnership with a local catering company.

Fred Forsley, Shipyard president, and chef Tony Adams, owner of Orlando’s Big Wheel Provisions, announced earlier this month the plans to open a Shipyard Brew Pub and Big Wheel Provisions in Winter Park in October 2010.

According to the release, the maker of such craft beers as Old Thumper English Bitter and Shipyard IPA will team with locavore specialist Adams to produce very small batches of “seasonal and unique beers ”  and local food products. Orlando brewer Ron Raike, who’s worked with Shipyard for more than 13 years, will direct the beer operations.

The pub, overseen by Adams, will feature a chef-driven menu created with local, seasonal ingredients. It will feature beer and food pairing classes, among other events.

It is being built at 200 W. Fairbanks Ave., in a spot previous occupied by Italian restaurant Strollo’s Cucina Due.

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