Tampa Bay Beer Week, hosted from March 7 to 15, will showcase the region’s locally brewed nectar through a stellar lineup of events for the fourth year in a row. If you’re not sure where to hang (the lengthy event list can get intimidating), here are our suggestions for what not to miss. For the full schedule, visit tampabaybeerweek.com.
Friday, March 6
St. Pete Beach Beer Fest. With a waterside view, score 50 types of beer from local and national craft breweries at the St. Pete Beach Recreation Center. Eats, T-shirts, prizes and cigar rolling will also be showcased. You get a commemorative tasting cup and free valet parking with a ticket purchase. $30-$35. 6-10 p.m. 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Bach, 727-560-1088, spbrec.com.
Official Beer Week Kick-off: Pinellas. An array of brews from Beer Week sponsors, including the week's signature Double IPA by Cigar City Brewing. The Applebutter Express will provide the tunes at 8 p.m. Money for beer. 7 p.m. 1584 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-895-5900, flyingpigtaphouse.com.
Official Beer Week Kick-off: Hillsborough. Florida brews will take over the Pour House to celebrate the start of Beer Week. Money for beer. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com.
Saturday, March 7
Brew Bus Brewery Tours. Two brewery tours explore both sides of the bay. During the first haul, the Brew Bus will venture from Cigar City Brewing to Pair O’ Dice, Cycle, St. Pete Brewing Company, Green Bench and 3 Daughters. And on the second, also departing from Cigar City, you’ll visit Florida Avenue Brewing, Angry Chair, Southern Brewing, Cigar City Cider and Mead and Coppertail. $30 per tour. Pinellas, noon-5 p.m.; Hillsborough, 1-6 p.m. Various stops.
Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival. A rain-or-shine must-attend at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. Last year, the event drew 60 in-state breweries and a crowd of around 2,500. VIP ticket-holders get in at 1 p.m., an hour earlier than general admission guests. $45-$60. 1-5 p.m. 601 Old Water St., Tampa, 813-274-8615.
Sunday, March 8
Eggs & Kegs #23: Tour de Tandem. This year's Beer Week edition of Eggs & Kegs will unite Cigar City, New Belgium and LOKO Cuisine for a hearty four-course, French- and Belgium-inspired spread. The New Belgium and Cigar City collaborative ale will be on hand. Space is limited, and the gathering typically sells out. 11 a.m. $27. 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa, 813-731-3327, cigarcitybrewing.com.
Best Florida Beer Championship Brewers Ball. Flock to Cotanchobee again for live music and gold medal-winning beer samples from the Best Florida Beer Championships’ commercial competition. The Best of Show award winners in the homebrew and commercial categories will also be announced. Don’t miss the homebrew keg battle or beer raffle. $50. Noon-5 p.m. 601 Old Water St., Tampa, 813-274-8615.
Monday, March 9
Luekens Liquors Cellar Release. Alongside a tasting, you’ll have the opportunity score an assortment of sought-after brews. Money for beer. 5 p.m. 944 Patricia Ave., Dunedin, 727-734-3068, luekensliquors.com.
Blogs & Brews: Inside the Beer Writer’s Mind. Join The Parched Barris and Beer for the Daddy at The Ale and the Witch for the second annual TBBW Beer Bloggers Conference. Guest speakers on topics like how to effectively communicate with local breweries are planned. Free. 6-8 p.m. 111 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-821-2533, thealeandthewitch.com.
Barley Mow Brewing Company Presents: Pizza Pairings Party. Weeklong (March 9 to March 13) Tampa Pizza Co. and Barley Mow pairings for your tasting pleasure at the pizzeria's downtown Tampa locale. Money for beer and food. 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-463-1600, tampapizzacompany.com.
Tuesday, March 10
Stout Smackdown. Bigger than last year, Pair O' Dice's annual stout showcase plans to offer pours like the Russian Roulette Imperial Stout, Chili Pepper Stout and Hot Cocoa Imperial Stout, which will be paired with cupcake creations from Culinary Nerd Cakes. Money for beer. 4-10 p.m. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423, pairodicebrewing.com.
Burgers & Brushfire with Big Storm. At Tampa Taproom, burger and Big Storm beer specials throughout the night. The brewery’s Brushfire Imperial Smoked IPA and more will be on tap. Money for food and beer. 6 p.m. 13150 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-961-2337.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company Beer Dinner. This popular gathering will bring a six-course meal accompanied by BrewCo beers. Chef John Boyle and brewmaster David Doble will discuss the pairings, and guest speakers will be on hand. Space is limited; reserve your spot in advance. $75. 6 p.m. 1600 E. Ninth Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1422, tampabaybrewingcompany.com.
Barley Mow Brewing Company Beer Dinner. Five Barley Mow beers and three courses served up by Salt Rock Tavern head chef Tyson Williams. $45. 7 p.m. 3689 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, 813-336-4977, saltrocktavern.com.
Cheers to Belgian Beers. A mini beer festival highlighting Belgian brews in the Independent’s biergarten. Reps from breweries such as St. Bernardus and La Trappe will discuss Belgian beer styles and more. Admission gets you a tasting glass and 10 drink tickets. $20. 7-9 p.m. 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883, independentbartampa.com.
Wednesday, March 11
Big and Rare Beers. Drink your way through Rapp Brewing Company’s various “big and rare” suds. Money for beer. 3 p.m. 10930 Endeavour Way, Seminole, 727-544-1752, rappbrewing.com.
Special Hoperations Take Over Coppertail’s New Tasting Room. Help the Special Hoperations homebrew club conquer the new Coppertail tasting room. You’ll receive a commemorative sampling glass and unlimited homebrew tastes. Raffles and reduced fees for new club members will be showcased as well. $10. 6-9 p.m. 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500, coppertailbrewing.com.
Cask Night at the Wild Rover Pub & Brewery. In addition to the Wild Rover’s, you’ll enjoy cask beer from a number of area breweries, including Pair O’ Dice, Rapp, Cigar City and Three Palms. Your ticket includes a tasting glass and unlimited samples. $30. 7-11 p.m. 8740 N. Mobley Road, Odessa, 813-475-5995, thewildroverbrewery.com.
Thursday, March 12
Tampa Bay Brewing Company Night of Wood. Eight rare beers from BrewCo brewers aged with wood, or in wood barrels, will be showcased. The minds behind the brews will discuss their creations during the event, too. Beer quantities are limited. Money for beer. 5-11 p.m. 1600 E. Ninth Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1422, tampabaybrewingcompany.com.
Blood, Sweat, and Beer Movie Screening. Held at Mad Beach Craft Brewing, a screening of the new documentary Blood, Sweat, and Beer will highlight two start-up breweries and the craft beer industry’s growth. One free Mad Beach brew comes with admission. $10. 7 p.m. 12945 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727-362-0008, madbeachbrewing.com.
Try This! Food and Beer Pairing. Small plates will accompany homebrew and commercial craft beer creations during this Tampa Bay B.E.E.R.S-hosted gathering at Southern Brewing. $30-$35. 7-9 p.m. 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-7800, southernbrewingwinemaking.com.
Brass Tap Trinity and Saint Somewhere Belgium and Saison Class. Join Saint Somewhere Brewing Company's Bob Sylvester for a class on saisons and Belgian beers. The featured samples will be paired with cheeses from around the globe. $12. 7 p.m. 10700 State Road 54, Trinity, 727-376-2467, thebrasstap.com.
Craft Beer & Cheese Pairing Experience. Mazzaro’s cheese-monger Chuck Maki teams up with Pair O’ Dice head brewer Ken Rosenthal for a third time to present a five-course pairing that’ll take your taste buds on a journey around the globe. Seating is limited; reserve your spot at the brewery online or in person. $30. 7:30-9 p.m. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423, pairodicebrewing.com.
Friday, March 13
Citrus Park Brewery Tap Takeover. Around 10 to 15 Citrus Park Brewery beers will be offered at the Citrus Park House of Beer. Barbecue, games and prizes will also be on hand. The event runs throughout the weekend. Money for beer. Noon-close. 8552 Gunn Highway, Odessa, 813-920-8889, citrusparkhob.com.
Foeder for Thought Festival. Head to Green Bench for a tasting room full of beers fermented in oak foeders. Many oak sour beers, as well as food trucks, bands and local vendors, will be featured outside, too. A $65 ticket includes unlimited pours of all the brews and a tasting glass, but for $75 you’ll nab a bottle of the brewery’s foeder-fermented Famous Flying Zacchinis. Other Green Bench bottles will also be available for purchase. $65-$75. 4 p.m.-midnight. 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836, greenbenchbrewing.com.
Locals Only Night with Big Storm. Offering a dessert that incorporates Big Storm’s Oats in Hose Oatmeal Stout, the Mermaid Tavern will also tap the brewery’s Brushfire IPA alongside a surprise specialty keg. Look for the glassware giveaways while you’re there. Money for beer. 5 p.m. 6719 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-5618, mermaidtaverntampa.com.
Saturday, March 14
Cigar City Brewgrass Festival. Held at Skipper's Smokehouse, day one of this Beer Week music festival will highlight musicians like Bobby Lee Rodgers, Town Mountain, Ramblegrass Band and Gypsy Wind. Tickets may be purchased online, and at Cigar City, Skipper's or Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill. $20-$25. 5 p.m. 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewgrassfestival.com.
Sunday, March 15
Cigar City Brewgrass Festival. Day two of Beer Week's musical celebration will bring live tunes from The Werks, Zoogma, Eddie Roberts West Coast Sounds and more. Tickets for the fest may be purchased online, and at Cigar City, Skipper's or Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill. $20-$25. 11 a.m. 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewgrassfestival.com.
Dunedin Brewery & 7venth Sun Collaboration Beer & Bottle Release. Eight brews, including the Imperial Porter and Toasted Coconut Habanero Mole, were crafted for your enjoyment by Dunedin Brewery and 7venth Sun to commemorate their Beer Week tradition. Don’t miss 7venth Sun’s annual Hunahpu’s Hangover Day (happening the same day), which will feature the Brett Trois and Belgian Yeast collaborations. Money for beer. Noon. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com.
Barrel Aged English Barley Wine Bottle Release. Rapp Brewing will kick off the sale of its English barley wine, and the 12-ounce bottles cost $12 each. Limits will apply. Money for beer. 3 p.m. 10930 Endeavour Way #C, Seminole, 727-692-7912, rappbrewing.com.
Sunday Finale with $4 Drafts. If you snagged an anniversary glass from The Ale and the Witch’s recent birthday party, you’ll land $4 beers at the bar all throughout Beer Week. But for those who didn’t, bid the week farewell here on the cheap. Money for beer. 4-9 p.m. 111 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-821-2533, thealeandthewitch.com.
This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2015.