Coppertail’s tasting room features tall windows that look into its brewhouse. Credit: James Ostrand

Friday night, area craft beer enthusiasts kicked off Tampa Bay Beer Week with celebrations on both sides of the bay, and around 4 p.m., this editor headed to the invitation-only portion of Coppertail Brewing Co.'s grand opening in Ybor City.

Located near Ikea inside a former mayonnaise factory, Coppertail invited friends and family, as well as local faces and businesses (Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Commune + Co. among them), to drink to its huge, artfully crafted headquarters.

The two-story brewery began serving its creations from a temporary tasting room in September, before the brews hit retail shelves about three months later.

The Ybor brewery rests in a two-story building along East Second Avenue. Credit: James Ostrand

During the permanent tasting room's premiere, folks toured the brewhouse and chowed on small bites as the rotating tap list highlighted its signature "core four" beers. The bourbon-barrel-aged Sabotage and the Purple Drank Florida Weisse were also among the more than 15 offerings.

Throughout Coppertail, which features indoor and outdoor seating, a number of art pieces from Schiller's Salvage co-owner Charlie Schiller decorate the space. While Schiller painted some works directly on the walls, others are recycled finds, including the vintage confessional and the wall of reclaimed wood and beer crates.

Beer Week runs until Sunday, March 15. Stick with CL for more coverage on the happenings, and check out more photos from Coppertail's soirée below.