Our Story
At Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, our story starts with family, community, and a love for craft beer. What began as a small idea in Tampa Bay has grown into a taproom and brewhouse rooted right here in Land O’ Lakes, serving neighbors, regulars, and first-time visitors with the same warm welcome.
Our beer is brewed in-house in small batches, blending creativity with quality to bring out the best of Florida craft brewing. From easy-drinking classics to seasonal releases and one-off experiments, every pint reflects the passion behind our team and the people who support us.
Thirsty Buffalo is more than a brewery. It is a community hangout — a place to slow down, catch up, celebrate, or just enjoy a fresh pour in good company. Whether you are here for a quiet pint, a lively event, or to explore our latest releases, we are proud to share this space, this journey, and this beer with you.
Meet the People Behind Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company
Thirsty Buffalo is powered by a small team that cares deeply about great beer and great hospitality. Here are the faces behind the brewhouse and the taproom.
Erin Bishop Owner, Co-Founder, & CEO
Erin Bishop is the Co-Founder, Co-Owner, and CEO of Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, where she leads a dedicated team focused on creating quality, in-house brewed craft beer for the surrounding communities. With a long background in hospitality and business development, Erin has spent many years supporting restaurants, breweries, and small businesses through hands-on leadership and operational guidance.
Her experience spans culinary work, front-of-house management, consulting, and entrepreneurship across multiple industries. Over time, these experiences shaped her passion for building community-driven spaces and supporting local growth.
That vision came to life with the launch of Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company. A place designed to bring people together over great beer in a warm, welcoming environment. The flagship location opened in 2023, followed by the Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory in Odessa in 2024, expanding production capabilities and providing another comfortable gathering place for guests.
Today, Erin continues to guide the brand forward with a focus on quality, community, and meaningful connections. Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company has consolidated all operations into one location at 2330 Success Drive in Odessa, where the team is now fully focused on beer production and comprehensive beverage manufacturing for co-packing clients.
Mike Bishop Owner & Co-Founder
Mike Bishop graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Finance in 2006. He started his career in financial services as a financial advisor, obtained his Series 7, 66, and 31 as well as his Series 220 for general insurance. His keen interpersonal skills earned a reputation of trust amongst his clients, earning him awards for being a top producer at Morgan Stanley.
After a successful run in the financial industry, Mike founded the first brewery in Pasco County in 2012. This brewery grew exponentially over the years, garnishing several awards including Best Beer in Florida 2016, and employing over 50 people. Mike was instrumental in the leadership of the business, building experience in all facets of starting and growing a manufacturing facility, including obtaining his degree in Brewing Sciences from the esteemed Siebel Institute of Brewing. Mike left the company when his ownership shares were sold to his partners in 2019. In the years following, Mike used his skills for consultation assisting in the build-out of breweries to the area.
Mike is a strong community advocate in Pasco County with many influential contacts, and currently sits on the following boards: Pasco County Government Tourism Development Council, Pasco Education Foundation, United Way of Pasco County, and the Rotary Club of New Port Richey. He is a graduate of Leadership Pasco Class of 2017, Pasco County Citizen’s Academy, and is a Rotarian with the New Port Richey Rotary. After holding a position as Senior Vice President with the Pasco Economic Development Council, Mike currently plays a vital role for Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company and Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory overseeing production, business development, and distribution.
Joel Moore
Head Brewer & Head of Production
With 20 years of experience in the brewing industry, Joel began his journey at a brewpub in Omaha, Nebraska, working as a busser, server, bartender, and even assisting brewers by hauling grain and cleaning the brewery. This hands-on experience opened the door to his first full-time role as an assistant brewer, eventually leading him to study the art and science of brewing at the Siebel Institute in both Chicago and Munich.
After honing his skills in lager brewing during several years in Utah, Joel moved to Florida with his wife in 2015, becoming an active and passionate member of the local brewing community. Having spent the past few years focusing on operations, he is now excited to return to brewing, bringing to life the creative beer ideas he’s been crafting in his mind.
When it comes to beer, Joel’s favorite is simple: “Whatever is well made and makes me want to order another.”