Well, it’s official — there’s just too much to do during this year’s Tampa Bay Beer Week. As the Bay area celebrates its ascension through the ranks of the country’s top craft beer spots, the number of events has skyrocketed. Going into TBBW’s final weekend, here are just a few parties, releases and special events that didn’t make it into earlier coverage. As always, the most comprehensive and up-to-date list is at tampabaybeerweek.com.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Angry Chair Brewing Super Rad Rare Beer Night The name pretty much says it all — this beloved Seminole Heights brewery is pulling out all the stops and putting all of their rare stuff, including some new stuff and featuring a couple of options barrel aged in barrels from Florida distilllery Palm Ridge. 6 p.m., money for beer, Angry Chair Brewing, 6401 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-238-1122.
Barrel Aged Week @ Cycle Brewing One of downtown St. Pete’s favorite brewpubs kicked off this special deal on Monday — each day, they’ll offer up to three special barrel-aged brews on tap, with no holdovers from the previous day; when they’re gone, they’re gone. Noon, money for beer, Cycle Brewing, 534 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-320-7954.
The Mini (Slightly Sour) Festival New Tampa’s Mr. Dunderbak’s has always been one of the centers of the Bay area beer culture, and here they prove it again with an eclectic, limited-seating showcase and tasting of some of the most unique and in-demand craft beers to make an appearance at TBBW. 7:30 p.m., $25, Mr. Dunderbak’s, 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, 813-977-4104.
Pair O’ Dice “Let It Ryed” Tapping @ Craft Beer Cellar The Clearwater brewery brings a keg of its gold medal-winning IPA across the Bay to Brandon for a celebratory tapping. 5 p.m., money for beer, Craft Beer Cellar, 1937 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-413-4951.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
2nd Annual Brisket & Beer Brew N Que Pair O’ Dice head brewer Ken Rosenthal’s passion for slow-smoking competition-quality brisket is right up there with his drive to create superior beers, and for the second year in a row you can taste the fruits of both labors. 5-10 p.m., money for beer and BBQ, Pair O’ Dice Brewing, 4400 118th Ave. N., Suite 208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423.
Beer Tasting @ Whole Foods Market Carrollwood More than 40 beers, plus live music and “light bites,” make this free event worth the trip up Dale Mabry. The first 50 participants receive a mini beer mug, too. 5-7 p.m., money for beer, Whole Foods Market, 3802 Northdale Blvd., 813-264-3600.
Brew Circus @ The Pour House Barley Mow and Stageworks Theatre came together to produce this unique and entertaining TBBW original. Staffers, brewers and beers from Coppertail, Cigar City and Tampa Bay Brewing Co. will be on hand, and in between pints, you can buy $5 tickets to “inspire” your favorite brew crew to entertain you — with all proceeds going to Stageworks. 7 p.m., money for beer and donations, The Pour House, 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd., #112, Tampa, 813-402-2923.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
Local Brewery Night @ World of Beer Westchase A whole buncha top-notch locally crafted brews will be on hand, including Coppertail, 3 Daughters, Motorworks (Bradenton), Darwin (Bradenton), Big Storm and more. Noon-close, money for beer, World of Beer Westchase, 9524 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-852-2337.
Rare Bottle Release @ Craft Beer Cellar This one’s for the die-hards, the connoisseurs, the folks who search long and hard for that one elusive bottle they haven’t had yet. Of the rare bottles, it’s one per person, first come, first served. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., money for beer, Craft Beer Cellar, 1937 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-413-4591.
Stilt House Brewery Pi Day Countdown As its pre-St. Patrick’s Day run-up festivities continue, this great Palm Harbor brewpub invites you to come by and experience a once-in-a-lifetime toast when all the numbers add up. Oh, and killer beer, to boot, along with eats from the Zesty Tsunami Food Truck starting at 5 p.m. Noon-8 p.m., money for beer, Stilt House Brewery, 625 U.S. Alt. 19, Palm Harbor, 727-271-6958.
SUNDAY, MARCH 14
3rd Annual Hunahpu’s Hangover Day Another TBBW tradition, this closing-out-the-weekend soiree features an assortment of seven collaborations between local and (relatively) far-flung breweries with plenty of cred. Noon-10 p.m., money for beer, 7venth Sun Brewery, 1012 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-733-3013.
Bayshore Beer Co. Brewing Night This one’s a bit shrouded in mystery, as Bayshore is a newcomer to the local scene, but we bet they’ll be serving up some of the brews that will make their bones in the Bay area. 7 p.m., money for beer, The Stein & Vine, 827 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, 813-655-4786.
Beer Brunch @ Six Ten Brewing This beers ‘n’ bites bash sounds not just worth the trip to Town N’ Country area of Tampa, but actually like the perfect way to get back in the groove after Saturday’s events. “Horchata stout waffles,” they said. Yup. Noon, money for beer and food, Six Ten Brewing Co., 7052 Benjamin Road, Tampa, 813-886-0610.
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2015.