Food and drink junkies have a fine lineup of palate-pleasing tastes to look forward to this weekend.
Whether they're looking to let their taste buds loose during a stouts and porters takeover or a wine and eats festival, here's our top five picks for where to flock throughout the region.
If the need for booze before Friday is too strong, head to Willard's Tap House for its weeklong celebration of stouts and porters, which started 5 p.m. Wednesday. Imperial, oatmeal, coffee, smoked, barrel-aged and cream will be among the iconic styles' showcased variants. The tap takeover features local brews, too, including Russian Roulette from Pair O' Dice Brewing Co. and Angry Chair Brewing's The Awakening. Money for beer. Open to close. 12500 Starkey Road, Largo, 727-581-8600.
On Saturday, journey behind-the-scenes through Coppertail Brewing Co. and Cigar City Cider and Mead on the Tampa Bay Brew Bus' Crafts, Ciders, & Cigars experience. The bus, which launches from Cigar City Brewing, will also take folks on a tour of Ybor's Tabanero Cigars factory, where they'll receive a cigar rolling lesson. Lunch, as well as a pint from Coppertail and Cigar City Cider, is included with admission. $65. Noon. 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, 813-348-6363.
Get in on the Hops for Heroes beer festival at Brewers' Tasting Room, also being held Saturday. More than 20 Bay area breweries are set to pour their brews — more than 26,000 ounces of the stuff — as festgoers drink for a cause at the inaugural event. Don't miss the bottle auction or home-brew battle for the Taster's Choice award, either. Craig Anders, cofounder and director of the veteran- and volunteer-run Road Warrior Foundation, which will benefit from the event, said he wanted to mix in homebrewers (who will also offer beer samples) with breweries so people have the opportunity to taste and understand their differences. Ticket purchases come with unlimited barbecue sandwich tastes, a voting ballot and a souvenir tasting glass. Live music will be featured at the fest, and from 5 to 8 p.m. during the official after party. Bring in an empty growler for an extra surprise. $35 online, $45 at doors, $10 for designated drivers. 2-5 p.m. 11270 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 719-964-6868.
Celebrate your senses at MOSI's annual Einstein on Food & Wine fest Saturday. A beer garden, samples from more than 120 wineries, eats by local restaurants and a food competition will be among the highlights. The evening's charity auction will benefit the science center's education programs. VIP ticket holders will receive an early crack at the festivities at 7 p.m., along with premier wines, craft cocktails and more. $60 for MOSI members, $85 for general admission, $125 for VIP. 8 p.m. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-987-6000.
Kicking off a new event, Green Bench Brewing Co. and Local Buds Artisan Collective will prepare a Brew Bunch Sunday morning. The gathering, held every third Sunday of the month at the brewery, will highlight locally made goods, beer collaborations and guest vendors. This time around, chicken and waffles with Urban Canning Co. Honey Beer Mustard and other brunch favorites will be featured. Beer mimosas like the Child's Playweisse, made with Squeeze Juice Works offerings, will also be on hand. Money for food and drinks. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836.
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2015.
