Tampa Bay Beer Week, now in its third year, has blown up like the local craft beer scene it celebrates. But with more than 150 scheduled events, you can get a little dizzy even before you’ve had your first sip of high-gravity ale. So consider this highly selective list of TBBW events our attempt to bring some focus to the madness. For a complete list, go to tampabaybeerweek.com. —Tom Scherberger
Fri. Feb. 28
Pour House Un-Official Kickoff The Pour House in Channelside kicks things off early with a Florida beer tap takeover, including 15 from Dunedin’s 7venth Sun Brewery. 8 p.m. No cover. 1208 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 7venthsun.com.
Saturday, March 1
Brewers Guild Beer Fest
Now in its 18th year, this annual fest always draws a crowd thanks to the wide array of Florida brewers pouring samples, many rarely seen in the Tampa Bay area. The event has been moved this year from Ybor City to Cotanchobee Park, along Garrison Channel behind the Tampa Bay Times Forum. $35. 2-6 p.m., 601 Old Water St., Tampa. floridabrewersguild.org
97X Beer in the Park
Two beer fests in one day? Only during TBBW. More than 80 craft beers will be available for sampling, with live music and food from local restaurants. Hyde Park Village. 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa. $25 in advance, $35 at the door. 97xonline.com.
Hillsborough and Pinellas brewery tours
Tampa Bay has more craft breweries than any region in Florida, but hitting them all can be a challenge. Each Brew Bus tour starts on one side of the bay and tours breweries on the other. The Hillsborough tour starts at Brewers Tasting Room (11270 4th St. N., St. Petersburg) and will hit five breweries — Two Henrys Brewing Company, Florida Avenue Ales, Southern Brewing and Winemaking, Cigar City Brewing, and an unnamed new brewery. The Pinellas tour starts at Cigar City Brewing ( 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa) and makes five stops — Green Bench, 3 Daughters, Pair O’ Dice, Cycle, and Rapp. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25. Arrive 15 minutes early.
(813) 990-7310.
Brass Tap Florida Beer Takeover
All the local Brass Tap locations all week will feature Florida beers on all 60 taps. Brandon, Carrollwood, St. Petersburg, Trinity, Wiregrass, Lakeland. brasstapbeerbar.com.
Sunday, March 2
Eggs and Kegs
Return of the Brewers A four-course Latin & Hunahpu-inspired brunch, a CCB souvenir glass, and six 5-ounce pours with Tampa Bay brewers who once worked at CCB. Tap list includes Angry Chair German Chocolate Cupcake Milk Stout and 7venth Sun Guilty Pleasure Chocolate Cherry Belgian Porter aged on vanilla bean. 11 a.m. $40. Cigar City Brewing, 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa. cigarcitybrewing.com.
14th Annual Best Florida Beer Championships Brewers Ball
All the gold medal winners from the annual Best Florida Beer Championships gathered in one spot in a pour-your-own extravaganza (pace yourself!), topped off by an awards ceremony. $50. Noon to 5 p.m. Cotanchobee Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa. bestfloridabeer.org.
5th Annual Brewers’ Ball After-party and LaFolie Tapping
Featuring New Belgium Lips of Faith “La Folie,” a Flemish sour brown ale aged for at least a year and blended to taste. Independent Bar & Cafe, 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. independenttampa.com.
Monday, March 3
Beer 101
Learn the basics of craft beer from the brewers of Tampa Bay Brewing Company in their Ybor City brewhouse. $35, $25 for TBBC Mug Club members. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa. tampabaybrewingcompany.com.
Founders Beer Dinner
The Refinery’s James Beard-nominated Chef Greg Baker will craft a menu around Founders beer. Features an all-you-can-drink All Day IPA reception, four-course beer pairings, and a late-night beer hour. $115. 6 p.m. 5137 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. thetamparefinery.com.
Tuesday, March 4
Craft Beer Tasting Class
Learn how to experience beer using all of your senses. Includes six 4-oz. pours. $10. Southern Brewing & Winemaking. 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. southernbrewingwinemaking.com.
Wednesday, March 5
Travel from Saint Somewhere
A Belgian Beer and Food Sampling Travel with Brewmaster Bob Sylvester in pictures and food to his favorite Belgian breweries. $35. 7:30 p.m. $35. Mr Dunderbak’s Biergarten, 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. dunderbaks.com.
Thursday, March 6
Blind and Bitter Hop Throwdown
A hopped beer competition among local and national breweries, including Cigar City, Oskar Blues, New Belgium, Barley Mow, Founders, 7venth Sun, Swamphead and more. No cover. 6 p.m. The Independent, 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.
Friday, March 7
Third Annual Barrel Day
Cycle Brewing’s Doug Dozark is pulling out some new and rare barrel-aged beers for this event. Noon. No cover. Peg’s Cantina and Brew Pub, 3038 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. pegscantina.com.
Foeder for Thought
Every beer on tap in the Green Bench tasting room will be fermented in the brewery’s giant oak barrel called a foeder, the only one in Florida. Green Bench Brewing Company, 1133 Baum Ave., St. Petersburg. greenbenchbrewing.com.
Saturday, March 8
Fifth Annual Hunahpu’s Day
The most eagerly anticipated beer release in Florida, this Cigar City Brewing Company event has evolved into its own beerfest. Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout is one of the most sought-after beers in the world and released only once a year, limit three bottles each. Unlimited samples of some of the best craft beers locally and nationally also available. $50. 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa.
Sunday, March 9
Hunahpu’s Hangover Day
Festival of wood- and barrel-aged beers. No cover. 1 p,m.-11 p.m. 7venth Sun Brewery, 1012 Broadway, Dunedin.
