The Right Side of the Tracks

Second only to the perfectly circular Lake DeFuniak, Last Stop Brew Vault positions itself as area’s next best watering hole

It’s incredible what a little vision and a lot of passion can accomplish when people come together to build their dream. 

Add to that a healthy dose of entrepreneurial drive, and you have a refined recipe for good business—and, in the case of Last Stop Brew Vault in DeFuniak Springs, a refreshing, ice-cold beer.

Last Stop Brew Vault opened in March 2024. The new craft beerhouse was the culmination of three couples’ desire to start a family business. The group of six landed on the idea of a taproom, but it wasn’t until they found the historic property at 630 Baldwin Avenue in DeFuniak Springs that the dream solidified into a plan. 

“The location really lent itself beautifully to what we would want to create in a taproom and the family gathering spot we wanted to provide for the community,” says Jessica Cooper, whose brother and mother are also part of the team, along with all three respective spouses. 

“We all enjoy good drinks,” she says. “And we were comfortable opening a taproom because of my husband’s prior experience in the craft beer industry and taproom ownership.”

As a West Coaster, Galen Cooper grew up in the cradle of the craft beer boom—a fact that naturally instilled in him a love for the industry. After joining the military, he ended up on the East Coast where he realized a noticeable lack of local craft breweries, especially in the Southeast. In 2015, Galen began brewing craft beer in his backyard.

Jessica recalls her husband “roping in anyone that would join in the experiments.”  

In 2020, he became one of the original founders of Bayou Brewing Co. in Niceville. Now, Galen spends his days as the full-time general manager of Last Stop Brew Vault, overlooking inventory, handling licensing, and managing employees. 

While the other five owners may not have his background in craft brewing, they all bring their respective talents, skillsets, and perspectives to the team. 

“Professionally speaking, we run the gamut,” says Jessica, who acts as one of the taproom’s treasurers. “Four of the six owners are active or veteran military, and all are—or were—in aviation-related fields. Then you have a former real estate agent, social media content creator, horse farm owner, loan officer, police officer, mechanic, and everything in between.” 

Whether working at the taproom full-time or juggling co-ownership alongside a day job, everyone has their roles. Danny and Sonja Barreto—or Pappy and Grandma, as they are more affectionately known—serve as treasurer and horticulturist, respectively. Jake and Alexa Peters handle merchandise design and ordering. Alexa is also the bar’s full-time social media manager, event coordinator, food truck scheduler, and interior decorator.

Despite a difference in backgrounds, Last Stop Brew Vault’s owners combine to create a welcoming company culture and dynamic that has made the brewhouse a locals’ favorite watering hole. 

“Last Stop Brew Vault, as many customers have told us, is unique in our creation of a family-friendly gathering and event location with an equal emphasis on providing quality brews,” says Jessica. “We don’t brew our own beer, but we showcase craft beer, wine, ciders and seltzers, with the main focus being local breweries and wineries.”

Located at the heart of downtown, right beside the train tracks and overlooking Lake DeFuniak, Last Stop Brew Vault seemed a natural choice in name. 

“We definitely wanted to capture a bit of DeFuniak Springs’ history and its founding as a product of the railroad,” says Jessica. “The ‘Vault’ part of our name comes from the iconic early 1900s vault that can be found in our establishment, housing our Founders Club member mugs.”

The taproom features 16 taps that offer a variety of craft beers, ciders, and seltzers from local breweries, including one nitro as well as everything from light lagers to stouts. 

“We try to keep something for everyone on tap,” says Jessica. 

They also try to keep something for everyone when it comes to food, hosting a selection of food trucks on-site each day. 

Whether you’re in search of a cold beer, good food, or great atmosphere, locals need not look further than DeFuniak’s Last Stop.