'Thrillist' names Darwin's on 4th among Florida's best brewpubs

Chef Darwin Santa Maria can add another honor to his growing list of accolades.

Thrillist, a digital media company that specializes in food, drink, technology and fashion coverage, published today its list of Florida's 14 best brewpubs, and Darwin's on 4th made the cut.

The article named the brewery's Ayawaysca Belgian Strong Dark Ale as its drink of choice and went on to describe Santa Maria's flare both in the kitchen and in the brewery.

"It’s usually hard to be a whiz in both the kitchen and the lab, but these guys have it down pat on both ends," writes author Mandy Baca. "The chef, Darwin Santa Maria, is banging out Peruvian classics like ceviche and tiraditos, and other twists on classics, like the arroz con pato. They also have fun with their beer, using it as a base for cocktails like the Peruple, which mixes their Marron Brown Ale, and Circa 1926 with Chambord."

The distinction comes just months after Emeril Lagasse filmed a segment in the restaurant, and it joins a list of honors including “Best New Restaurant Golden Spoon Award” from “Florida Trend Magazine,” the 2012 “Best Peruvian Chef in America”distinction by the Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C., one of the 2013 “Best Chefs America,” a 2014 "Award of Excellence” from Tumi, and he’s hosted the prestigious James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour dinner three years in a row.