The beer scene in Tampa Bay has blossomed in recent years, and craft brews are now in. Check out one of the many brew joints serving refreshing beers for your drinking enjoyment.
THE ALE AND THE WITCH 111 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-821-2533, thealeandthewitch.com. Choose from over 30 taps of American craft beers. The interior is cozy with a killer jukebox and lounge seating. Outside, the patio is an open-air courtyard. Gaze at the stars, listen to great local music and sip delicious craft beer.
CIGAR CITY BREWING 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com. Stop by the tasting room and try one of the local staple brews like Jai Alai. Or sample one of their experimental brews like Snack Attack. Pick up a few bottles to take home.
THE DUBLINER IRISH PUB 2307 Azeele St., Tampa, 813-258-2257, 12836 Henderson Road, Tampa, 813-300-2076, thedublineririshpub.com. Choose from two locations in the Tampa area. The Dubliner has a great selection of beer and delicious Irish-inspired cuisine. Lots of live entertainment and drink specials.
CRUM’S BAR AND GRILL 2924 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-827-2831, crumsbar.com. There are 65 different beers all on tap to choose from at the recently updated Crum’s Bar and Grill.
DUNEDIN HOUSE OF BEER 927 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-216-6318, dunedinhob.com. Forty different beers are on tap at this Dunedin favorite. Locals love it because of the selection, service, and drink specials. And locals, when it comes to beer, know best.
DUNEDIN BREWERY 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com. Dunedin Brewery calls itself Florida’s oldest craft brewery. Before Cigar City, before Big Storm, before Cold Storage, there was Dunedin Brewery. Choose from one of the many locally brewed beers available on tap, fresh from the brew house.
FOUR GREEN FIELDS 8208 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-254-4444, fourgreenfields.com. Four Green Fields is home to the running club, a group of beer-loving runners. “A bunch of drinkers with a running problem” as their advertisement reads. Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., they run five miles, and follow it up with delicious pint of beer. Ten runs and you get a shirt.
INDEPENDENT BAR AND CAFE 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883, independenttampa.com. A great local brew pub to gather with friends and loved ones over a craft beer. Located in Seminole Heights, the Tampa location also features a tasty café menu when drinking munchies call.
INDEPENDENT BAR ST. PETERSBURG 29 Third St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-820-9514 independentbeer.com. If you’ve ever drank in downtown St. Petersburg, chances are you’ve found yourself in the red-glow of the Independent. Bottles and taps galore, friendly and helpful bar staff that are always there to help choose the perfect beer.
IRISH 31 1611 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-250-0031, irish31.com. A cozy, modern SoHo destination. The Size of Ireland Pot Pie may be the ultimate chicken pie experience, and don’t forget to pair an Irish 31’s Breakfast of Champions shot with brunch (Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.).
JAMES JOYCE IRISH PUB 1724 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1896, jamesjoyceybor.com. Choose from a variety of import and domestic beers from the tap to the bottle. Nosh on delicious pub cuisine. We recommend the fish and chips.
MACDINTON’S IRISH PUB 8 a.m.-3 a.m., 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8999; 242 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg, macdintons.com. One of SoHo’s (and now St. Pete’s) most popular drinking spots, Irish or not. If you find yourself hungry, try the bangers and mash. Enjoy live music Friday through Sunday, karaoke on Tuesdays, and $10 “sink or swim” on Fridays (6-8 p.m.). Bring Fido to MacDinton’s Yappy Hour, where he will find canine companions. Check website for nightly specials.
MALONEY’S LOCAL IRISH PUB 9540 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-749-0859, maloneyslocalirishpub.com. Craic (Gaelic word for “fun,” pronounced crack) is not whack at this authentic Irish destination, located steps away from popular destinations like Burger 21, Pizza Fusion and World of Beer. If you’re craving a burger, try Guinness or Pub Whiskey burgers, paired with Guinness French onion soup.
MERMAID TAVERN 6719 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-5618, mermaidtaverntampa.com. The Mermaid Tavern is one of the newest and hippest brew pubs. They host a variety of local brews on tap. Word has it that the bar even hosts a night where patrons can bring in their own vinyl to play at the bar.
MR. DUNDERBAKS 14949 Bruce B Down Blvd., 813-977-4104, dunderbaks.com. Delicious German food and plenty of beers to wash it all down with. Try the homemade applesauce with potato pancakes. It will have you screaming wundebar.
O’BRIEN’S IRISH PUB 701 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, 813-661-9688; 11744 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-961-4092; 1701 S. Alexander St., Plant City, 813-764-8818, obrienspubs.com. Swig Swithwick’s Irish ale with an item from the late-night menu, such as Wee Shepherd’s Pie. Check the website for nightly dinner, drink and shot specials, as well as events. If you’re an avid fisher, join O’Brien’s Fishing Club.
O’KEEFE’S FAMILY TAVERN AND GRILL 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater, 727-442-9034, okeefestavernonline.com. Established in 1961, this Irish pub is a Clearwater institution. Even President Barack Obama stopped in for a visit. Check out the “famous naked lady” picture, rumored to be founder Bill O’Keefe’s wife. Try Irish Puffs or Seven-Course Irish Dinner, featuring six domestic drafts and a boiled potato.
O’TOOLE’S IRISH PUB 1215 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-684-2600, otoolesirishbar.com. Irish breakfast is available Saturdays and Sundays (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). For those craving a little Irish/Chinese fusion. Check out the Irish Egg Roll. Happy hour occurs every day (4-7 p.m.) but check the website for drink specials and events, such as trivia.
This article appears in Jul 19-25, 2012.