Before mapping out your plan of attack for Tampa Bay Beer Week (and trust us, with all the events going on, you're gonna need one), check out some of the happenings CL's most excited about. The eight-day celebration of local beer culture and community, featuring everything from releases and tastings to festivals and pairings that showcase the region as a vibrant beer destination, runs from March 4 to 12.
FESTIVALS & TASTINGS
4th Annual Foeder for Thought Limited to 400 people, all-you-can-drink samples from more than 30 breweries, as well as 45-minute Q&A sessions with brewers and owners on the Green Bench Brewing Co. main stage. Speakers include Jester King Brewery founder Jeffery Stuffings; Black Project Beer founder James Howat; Roy Milner, chief fermentation officer of Blackberry Farm; and Andrew Hood, Sun King Brewery's barrel guru. Green Bench will also release a special bottle of Sleeping Dragon, an American fruited sour made in collaboration with Jester King. Tickets — which come with unlimited pours, a commemorative tasting glass and access to the Q&A sessions — are up online. $80. March 10, 6-11 p.m. 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836.
7th Annual Dunedin Craft Beer Fest Put on by Dunedin House of Beer at Edgewater Park, the largest event in Pinellas during Beer Week features more than 50 Florida breweries and 100-plus beers, including special editions and casks, on the first day. More highlights: live music, tasty eats and a family-friendly atmosphere. The fest is still in need of volunteers, which score a free beer. Learn more. March 4, noon-10 p.m. 51 Main St., Dunedin.
Bring on the Funk! A Celebration of American Wild Ales The American beer scene's obsession with tart, funky ales on display at the Independent Bar and Cafe. Beers from three award-winning breweries — Jester King Brewery in Texas, Colorado's Crooked Stave Artisan Ale Works and Michigan's Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales — are in the spotlight. The tasting package includes samples of each wild ale, and brewery reps are in attendance. March 9, 7-9 p.m. 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883.
Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival This annual tradition, limited to 400 people and held at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, has 200-plus beers from more than 50 Florida craft breweries planned. A kickoff to Beer Week, the festival also functions as a fundraiser for the Florida Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to preserving the rights of brewers around the state. All festgoers snag unlimited samples and a commemorative tasting glass, while VIP guests get 1 p.m. early access to the brews. Find tickets online. $45 for general admission, $65 for VIP. March 4, 2-5 p.m. 601 Old Water St., Tampa.
Hunahpu's Day There's still tickets available for this huge, ever-evolving beer festival and release of Cigar City Brewing's beloved Hunahpu's Imperial Stout. Also hosted at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, festgoers enjoy more than 120 breweries from across the country pouring their favorite beers, and score bottles of the prized imperial stout. Learn more. $200-$300. March 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 601 Old Water St., Tampa.
Special Hoperations Homebrew Tuesday An unlimited tasting of more than 15 of the South Tampa homebrew club's creations, including a dark Brett saison, IPA, high-gravity imperial stouts and mead. Although the 81Bay Brewing Co., where the event takes place, is open to the public, only guests with wristbands will have access to the Special Hoperations sampling and vote for the People's Choice homebrew. 81Bay is also set to release at least three small-batch brews, made specially for Beer Week. Other highlights include food truck fare from Empamamas, raffles and taproom games. Attendees pay at the door on the day of the event. View the full tap list on Facebook. $15-$25. March 7, 7-10 p.m. 4465 W. Gandy Blvd. #600, Tampa, 813-837-2739.
PAIRINGS
Brew-B-Q Brunch 3 Daughters Brewing, Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Holy Hog Barbecue and Buddy Brew Coffee have joined forces on a new event to get you fueled up for the week's beer-soaked festivities. Hosted at Buddy Brew, guests enjoy a lineup of suds from 3 Daughters and Florida Ave. (plus other brewers from around the Bay area) alongside a coffee-inspired barbecue dish by Holy Hog. Additional highlights: more special menu items, corn hole and giveaways. Follow the Facebook event for updates. Beer Weekers can soothe their beer-induced hangovers during a Funky Buddha brunch at the end of the week, too. March 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2020 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-258-2739.
Crooked Thumb Mac 'n' Cheese Pairing A collaborative event from Crooked Thumb Brewery and the Pint and Brew, this pairing matches P&B’s new mac and cheese menu with a selection of beers from the Safety Harbor brewery. March 10, 6-9 p.m. 3261 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor, 727-515-9946.
Oeste Rare Beer Dinner Hosted at Cigar City Brewing, a new pop-up dinner series, known as Oeste (the Spanish word for "west"), makes its debut. The five-course beer dinner from LOKO Cuisine, which puts on the popular Eggs & Kegs brunches with Cigar City, is inspired by West Tampa's flavors and history. Brewmaster Wayne Wambles will discuss each rare and barrel-aged cellar pairing with guests. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased online. Other beer dinners to consider: Mastry's Brewing and Urban Comfort; 81Bay and Pith & Pally; Big Storm; FarmTable Kitchen; Coppertail and The Mill; and Green Bench and Proper Kitchen & Cocktails. $101.65. March 9, 7 p.m. 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, 813-731-3327.
Six Ten Beer & Cheese Pairing This third annual pairing event, which typically sells out early, showcases eight different cheeses, all complemented by fine craft beer selections and some other accompaniments. Six Ten also guides participants through the cheesemaking and brewing processes. Get tickets online. Throughout the celebration, more beer and cheese pairings are in store from Motorworks and Haven, Mr. Dunderbak’s, Green Bench and Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe, and Pair O’ Dice. $35. March 6, 6 p.m. 7052 Benjamin Road, Tampa, 813-886-0610.
Zephyrhills Brewing Jam 'n' Jelly Pairing Make the drive to join head brewer Robert Hilferding and chef Karl Mohler for an unconventional and guided tasting of sweet, spicy and savory Jovita Jam, which is made locally. Samples of four Zephyrhills Brewing suds match with the jams. Tickets are available online. $20. March 7, 7-8 p.m. 38530 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, 813-715-2683.
RELEASES, TAPPINGS & TAKEOVERS
Calusa Brewing Barrel Aged Imperial Dissonance Release Score a 22-ounce bomber Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Dissonance Breakfast Brown by Calusa Brewing, a relatively new brewery in Sarasota. These limited bottles cost $20 each in the tasting room, and are available online for prepurchase. 5701 Derek Ave., Sarasota, 941-922-8150.
Cycle Brewing Daily Bottle Release This downtown St. Pete brewery's daily releases have become a Beer Week mainstay, and this year is no different. The bottle unveiling begins a little early on March 5 with Cycle's first non-barrel-aged imperial stout. But beer fans can expect barrel-aged imperial stouts the rest of the week, including one version made with Miami's Panther Coffee on March 6 and March 10's Calvados Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, which involves apple or pear brandy and a little added cinnamon. Limits vary each day. Those who aren't interested in bottles can head to the tasting room at 5 p.m. all week long to score a draft of the beer releases instead; leftovers from Cycle's sold-out Barrel-Aged Day are tapped on Friday, too). Learn more. $20-$30. March 5, noon; March 6-10, 8 a.m. 534 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-320-7954.
Big and Rare Beer Night The biggest beers Rapp Brewing Company brews showcased on draft alongside some of rare and never-before-tapped suds. Expect a limited supply of its American strong ale, OMG, too. March 8, 3 p.m. 10930 Endeavor Way, Seminole, 727-544-1752.
Fantome Takeover At Saint Somewhere Brewing Company's new taproom Brasserie, enjoy seven saisons by the glass from Belgium's Fantôme (including Brise-BonBons and Dark White), one draft, and a special live streamed toast from the guy who made them, Dany Prignon. Other Belgian and French offerings on hand, along with Saint Somewhere beer. March 8, 6-11 p.m. 312 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, 727-935-5988.
Hangover Day Join 7venth Sun for its last-day-of-Beer-Week and post-Hunahpu's tradition, showcasing 20-plus suds on draft. The lineup ranges from a fruity Florida Weisse to spirit barrel-aged beers and sours to the Dunedin brewery's annual Hangover Day tappings (think doughnuts). And P.S. — this year, the Seminole Heights location's Hangover Day celebration is on hold due to construction. Stay tuned for more details on Facebook, where the tap selections are also listed. March 12, noon-10 p.m. 1012 E. Broadway Ave., Dunedin, 727-733-3013.
Hidden Springs Bottle Release Before it sells out, snag a bottle of Hidden Springs Ale Works' Redcap Strong Scotch Ale, named after the malevolent goblins of Border Folklore, during its special debut in the tasting room. The golden-colored beer, brewed with a traditional Scottish malt base that's boiled for four hours, is also being released at St. Pete's new Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe. March 8, 5-10 p.m. 1631 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-226-2739.
In the Loop Core Four Beer Release A special tapping of In the Loop Brewing's signature lineup of craft brews. The 20 Mile Level Pale Ale and Uncharted IPA, which were released in January, are planned on draft alongside the Land O' Lakes brewery's two newcomers: a farmhouse saison and a brown ale treated with vanilla and espresso. Releases begin at 6 p.m. with the saison, brown ale and pale ale, followed by the IPA once the pale ale kicks. March 3, 6-11 p.m. 3338 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, 813-997-9189.
Late Start Tap Takeover Late Start Brewery invades the draft lines of Angry Chair Brewing, which sold out of tickets to its Super Rad Rare Beer Event fast. Bring cash for access to the beers inside and out, while supplies last. No growlers or flights — just pours from the loaded tap list. Late Start will release its first bottles ever, too, including one made in collaboration with Angry Chair: Mai Tai Florida Weisse (almond, orange, lime and pineapple). Each bottle, which costs $15, is limited to two per person. Peep the Facebook event for more details and general info. March 7, 4-10 p.m. 6401 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-892-1651.
Night of Wood Hosted at the Ybor facility, Tampa Bay Brewing Company's yearly celebration of wood and barrel-aged beers. Featured taps include the Barrel-Aged Dixie Dirt Imperial Stout (Heaven Hill rye whiskey barrel), Spitfire English Barleywine (red port barrel) and Triple Wood Blended Bourbon Ale (a blend of three bourbon barrels), as well as the French oak-aged Get Off My Lawn Smoked Amber Ale. View the full list. March 9, 6-10 p.m. 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1422.
Wake Up with Wakefield Just as the event's title alludes to, guests can start their morning with tappings of Dragon Fruit Passion Fruit and Frank White from J. Wakefield Brewing. A cereal bar and Biggie tunes will accompany the popular Miami brewery's suds at Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe. March 10, 9 a.m.-noon. 2927 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-800-2810.
MISCELLANEOUS
Battle the Breweries: Cigar City and Oskar Blues Yup. This familial face-off's going down at the Lowry Parcade & Tavern edition of First United Church of Nintendo. Limited-release brews from both breweries, pizza and prizes for those who beat the duo in old-school video or arcade games throughout the night. March 9, 7 p.m.-midnight. 1213 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-915-9180.
Clearwater Collab Crawl Among the bar hops scheduled for Beer Week (there's one in downtown St. Pete and another in downtown Dunedin taking place the same day), this pub crawl tours participants around Clearwater Beach. Each stop features Kenny Longans, a Tropical IPA with longan "dragon eye" fruit brewed by Motorworks Brewing, Hidden Springs Ale Works and Marker 48 Brewing, on tap. The hop begins at Jimmy Hula's, ending at Silverking Tap House. March 7, noon-6 p.m. 454 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach.
International Women's Collaboration Brew Day Now in its 4th year, this brewing session allows women who are passionate about craft beer to come together, and calls attention to the role of women in the industry. Participants use Plant City strawberries to create a strawberries and cream IPA. Several educational topics are planned throughout the night. The beer’s release is scheduled for April 8, and those who show up at BrewworX to help brew/learn will receive their first pour for free. March 8, 5 p.m. 650 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.
In the Woods In addition to a selection barrel-aged tappings and a barrel-aged stout release, get to Coppertail for this pinewood derby race hosted in collaboration with Virginia's Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. The tasting room has had 40 racer kits for sale (they're necessary for those looking to compete) since Feb. 21, and entries are limited. Here's the full list of rules. March 8, 6-11 p.m. 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500.
The Ultimate Brewer II Nearly 30 local craft breweries battle it out at Crooked Thumb in a friendly competition that requires them to brew a beer using mystery ingredients (think beets, black pepper and pickles). Learn more. Another Battle of the Brewers event is set for Pair O’ Dice. $25 in advance, $35 at the door. March 3, 7:30-11:30 p.m. 555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor.
This article appears in Feb 23 – Mar 2, 2017.