January 23, 2026 – Clearwater-based Big Storm Brewing has a new owner, as Tide LLC acquired the company’s assets for $5.5 million at a bankruptcy auction. Andrea Lay, the registered agent for Gulfport-based Tide, initially made a $7.5 million stalking horse bid in November but lowered her final offer after conducting due diligence, according to court documents filed Jan. 22. Big Storm, whose former owner allegedly embezzled over $100 million from a St. Petersburg nonprofit, did not receive any competing bids.
