Wednesday, October 5: Cru Cellars
Meet up at Cru for their monthly Wine and Words book club meeting. This month's book is Rule of Civility by Amor Towles. Admission includes a glass of wine and cheeses. RSVP: jen@crucellarstampa.com. $15; 6:30-9:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Wednesday, October 5: Parkshore Grill
Take part in a special eveing of fine wines, food and unique art to celebrate the fifth annual Heart for Art wine pairing dinner benefiting Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf. The event will also feature guest speaker Randy Ford from King Estate Winery. RSVP. 6:30 p.m. $79 (plus tax and gratuity); 6:30 p.m. 300 Beach Drive, St. Pete, 727-896-9463, parkshoregrill.com
Wednesday, October 5: Whole Foods Market
Join WFM's French Cheese Club for this informative and tasty class on these select French cheeses: Epoisses, Pont L’Eveque, Brillat Savrin Frais, Chaource, and Rove Des Garrigues. Learn how they're prepared, what makes them unique and how they are best served. This class will be held in the store café. Register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Wednesday, October 5: Willard's Tap House
It's another 'Keep the Pint Night' at Willard's. This time they'll be featuring beers from Florida Avuenue Brewery: Florida Avenue Ale, Blueberry, IPA and their Reserve Amber Ale. Buy a pint of any of the aforementioned brews and keep the logo glass! Free with purchase (while supplies last); 7-10 p.m. 12500 Starkey Road, Largo, 727-581-8600, Willardstaphouse.com
Thursday, October 6: Cigar City Brewing
To celebrate their gold medal win for the Minaret ESB at the recent Great American Beer Fest, CCB is tapping the keg to share its goodness with their hardcore fans back at home base. 4-7 p.m. 3924 W Spruce Street Suite A, Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com
Thursday, October 6: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits – Brandon
It's another installment of ABC's tastings featuring over 50 wine selections from around the globe and cigars. Each guest receives a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $5 off any purchase the night of the event. $10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1405 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 813-685-4832, abcfws.com
Thursday, October 6: Centre Club Tampa
It's the Centre Club's first Thursday 'Lotsa Pasta' family night where guests can design their own gourmet pasta dish from a selection of noodles, sauces and ingredients. The grownups can enjoy happy hour prices at the bar (responsibly): $1 wine, $2 beer, $3 wells. RSVP required. $14.95 for adults, free for kids 12 and under; 5:30-8 p.m. 123 S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-286-4040, clubcorp.com/Clubs/Centre-Club
Thursday, October 6: SideBern's
Take advantage of the great weather we're experiencing and SideBern's last 'Grill & Chill' summer BBQ series taking place on their patio. This month, Chef Chad will be pairing Creole cuisine with brews from Abita, which hails from Abita Springs, Louisiana. Pulled pork with tasso sauce, grilled catfish, and stewed okra are just a few of the many dishes they'll be serving up alongside Abita's tasty beers. Register online here. $50; 6:30-9 p.m. 2208 W Morrison Ave, Tampa, 813-258-2233, SideBerns.com
Thursday, October 6: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
With famous cities such as Avignon, Orange and Nimes, the Rhone Valley not only offers amazing cities to visit, it also offers dazzling vistas and some of the best wines produced in the world. Sample selections from Crozes-Hermitage to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and learn all about this wine growing region at this exclusive class and tasting. Class includes wine selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials, and discounts on the wine presented in class. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Thursday-Saturday, October 6-8: Dunedin Brewery
It's three days of beer, live music and great food at Dunedin Brewery's annual OktoBEERfest. Thursday at 7 p.m. kicks off Literstein night where their official 1-liter stein will be for sale and only liters and steins brought in will be filled (no pints for sale). Friday and Saturday will see the OktoBEERfest street party on Douglas Avenue where revelers can enjoy plenty of Dunedin brews and German food for sale, as well as live music under the big tent and inside the brewery. Call for more info. Thursday: 7-11 p.m., Friday: 5 p.m.-close, Saturday: 11 a.m.-close. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com/oktobeerfest
Friday and Saturday, October 7-8: Frenchy' s Original Café
To celebrate 30 years in business on Clearwater Beach, Frenchy's family of restaurants is throwing a two-day, birthday block party bash. During the two-day event, Frenchy's will be serving up some of its signature items, including she crab soup, seafood gumbo, boiled shrimp and fresh grouper sliders. There will also be drink specials, live bands and kid-friendly activities. Free; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (both days); 41 Baymont St., Clearwater Beach, 727-449-2729, frenchysonline.com
Friday and Saturday, October 7-8: German American Society of Pinellas County
Touting itself as the most authentic German Oktoberfest celebration in the Bay area, this is the German American Society's second weekend of beer, brats, lederhosen and revelry. German music, food, lots of beer, keg tapping and a parade are all to be had at this party. Free parking. $6 per day, free for kids 12 and under; 4 p.m.-? 8098 66th St. N, Pinellas Park, 727-548-5234, germantampa.com
Friday and Saturday, October 7-8: Taste Cafe Safety Harbor
Enjoy the cooler weather, beer and wine tastings and live music at Taste Cafe's "beer garden" every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the fall season. Call for more information. 5-7 p.m. 500 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com
Friday-Sunday, October 7-9: Total Wine & More – All Locations
Sample the crisp and inviting flavors of wines from Rioja, Spain, at this complimentary tasting. Free; Fri./Sat.: 12-6 p.m., Sun.: 12-5 p.m. 2528 State Road 580, Clearwater, 727-431-1010; 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018; 1720 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com
Friday, October 7: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
At this Crush Hour tasting, sample offerings from Napa's Heitz Cellars along with cheese selections from Bern's 'Cave du Fromage.' Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, October 7: Aspirations Winery
Enjoy live music, food, door prizes and wine discounts at this 'Last Friday' tasting. $1 per sample; 7-9 p.m. 5116 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-988-2010, aspirationswinery.com
Friday, October 7: Cheese Please
Taste seven to eight new cheeses each week at Cheese Please's Friday night tastings. This week they'll be featuring various goat cheeses. RSVP required. $20; 7 p.m. 4213 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-766-0060, cheesepleasetampa.com
Saturday, October 8: Dunderbak's
Celebrate Oktoberfest at one of Dunderbak's many shindigs this month, the first being their party in the parking lot this Saturday. Purchase $2 wieners and kraut and get $2 drafts at the beer trailer. Buy 'The Boot' and get discounts on drafts all month long. Free event; 12-4 p.m. 14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa, 813-977-4104, dunderbaks.com
Saturday, October 8: Florida State Fairgrounds
Celebrate the many cultures represented in this state at the Multicultural Festival of Florida. Held at the fairgrounds, the fest will feature an array of live entertainment, dancing, seminars, kids' activities, food and more. $1 entrance fee; 12-8 p.m. 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa, 813-407-6866, latin-times.com.
Saturday, October 8: Safford House
Manolo Rivera of Manolo’s Mediterranean Bistro will teach a cooking class on Venezuelan breakfast dishes. Registration required. $20; 12-2 p.m. 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5605, tarponarts.org
Saturday, October 8: Taste Cafe Safety Harbor
Enjoy a South African wine dinner featuring Nederberg Wines and cuisine by Taste Cafe. Limited seats available by reservation only. Call for time, pricing and to RSVP. 500 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com
Saturday, October 8: Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
Cigar City Brewing, Thx Mgmt and the Tampa Bay History Center have teamed up to throw the most rockin', post-Flutag party yet. The event will take place at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park (on the waterfront adjacent to the St. Pete Times Forum) in Downtown Tampa and will feature tasty Cigar City brews for sale — Jai Alai IPA, Maduro Brown, Florida Cracker White Ale and Hotter Than Helles Lager — and the sounds of The Beauvilles, Rocksteady@8 and Tim Hutchison. All ages welcome. Free; 4-7 p.m. 601 Old Water St., Tampa, 813-274-8615
Saturday, October 8: Tarpon Springs
Join the the North Pinellas Pub Riders for their monthly ride/pub crawl. This month's theme: zombies! Get dressed up, bring your ride and participate in zombie themed games to win prizes. And don't forget to bring your beer money. Meet up and end at The Zone Lounge. Headlights are required and helmets are recommended. Free; 5:30 p.m. 121 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, 727-934-5599, pinellaspubride.info
Sunday, October 9: Sunken Gardens
Add a kick to your weekend by attending the 4th Annual Hot Pepper Fest at Sunken Gardens. It's peppers in every form and fashion you could ever imagine: in condiments and food, adorning clothing and jewelry and kitchen gear, in plant form and being stuffed in the mouths of those crazy enough to enter the pepper eating contest. $8, $6 seniors, $4 kids 2-11; 11 a.m. 1825 4th St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-3102, stpete.org/sunken/index.asp
Sunday, October 9: B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits
Discover over 100 new wines from B-21's recent travels to Spain and Latin America and find new favorites. Special guest speakers from wineries from Rioja, Spain to Mendoza, Argentina, will be in attendance leading educational seminars. $25 in advance, $30 at the door; 2-5 p.m. 43380 US Highway 19 N., Tarpon Springs, 727-937-5049, b-21.com
Sunday, October 9: Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry Campus
Sample what the Westshore area has to offer at The Taste of Westshore at HCC's Dale Mabry Campus. The event will feature unlimited tastings from more than 25 of Westshore's best restaurants (including Fleming's, Seasons 52, Roy's, Pinkberry and more), beer and wine, plus an art display and live entertainment. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the HCC foundation to fund student scholarships. Purchase tickets online here. $35 in advance, $25 for 21 and under, $50 VIP, $10 added cost if purchased at the event (cash only); 1-5 p.m. 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd, Tampa, tasteofwestshore.com
Sunday, October 9: Whole Foods Market
Hear Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur speak at Whole Foods Market about his national best-seller, Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food. It “urges readers to extend the reach of human compassion and consume a kinder plate, making a better life for animals and for themselves.” This talk will be held in the store café. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Tuesday, October 11: Total Wine & More – St. Pete
Learn to paint a masterpiece while sipping on some fabulous wines at Watercolors and Wine. Award-winning artist and teacher Colleen Cassidy will guide beginners or advanced painters (no experience needed) with easy step-by-step instructions. Everything is included: Instructions, watercolor paper, use of brushes, palette, paint and wine. RSVP required; call: 941-924-1200. $30; 6-8 p.m. 4880 Park Street N, St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com, colleencassidy.com
Tuesday, October 11: Carrollwood Cultural Center
For this month's Wine Passport tasting and educational series by Time for Wine, taste offerings from the Land Down Under. For more info, contact Charles Visalli at 813-664-1430 or timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com. $25, $20 for Center or AA members; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, 813-664-1430, ewinetaste.com
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2011.