If CL's newest round-up of food and drink events doesn't make your stomach growl, I don't know what will. Do yourself a favor and put this thing to use over the weekend.
• Dunedin Brewery takes Oktoberfest — excuse me, OktoBEERfest — seriously. The brewery's four-day celebration kicked off Thursday, spotlighting seasonal and specialty beers, an exclusive selection of German grub and ample live music throughout the weekend. Menu items include bratwursts, potato salad, brewery-fermented sauerkraut and giant pretzels (yup, we know what we're doing with that beer-infused cheese and mustard). The festivities continue through Sunday. Free, money for beer and food. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. 727-736-0606.
• On Saturday, the craft, culture and community of Florida's coffee scene intersect during the annual Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival. Divided into two sessions (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.) at Journey Church of Brandon, the event invites roasters from around the state to showcase their specialty coffee knowledge and experience with caffeine enthusiasts. The crowd enjoys educational panels, food trucks, art vendors and live tunes. Get tickets online in advance. For updates, visit the fest's website. $12. 1310 John Moore Road, Brandon.
• Benefiting the Suncoast Hospice Foundation and Empath Health, Hops for Hospice, hosted between 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, offers more than 100 beers from local breweries and distributors at Spectrum Field. Purchase admission to the 10th annual beer festival by phone, online or at the box office. $25 in advance, $30 day of. 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater.
• We can hardly wait for a whole 'nother month of Goth Brunch. The Bricks highlights chilling beverage specials, food and DJ tunes — driven by post-punk, goth and dark-wave music, of course — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during this second annual soiree, which goes down every Sunday till November. A new DJ is featured each week. Free, money for food and drinks. 1327 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-247-1785.
• Break the Silence surrounding domestic violence with 7venth Sun Brewery on Sunday. The Spring of Tampa Bay and CASA benefit from this fundraiser committed to collecting money, gathering supplies and raising awareness for survivors of abuse on both sides of the bay. Starting at noon, attendees are asked to bring much-needed items like personal care products and kitchen essentials to on-site collection drives at the Tampa and Dunedin locations for 7venth Sun, which has been directly impacted by domestic violence. Expect donated kegs of coveted beer from local breweries and a silent auction/raffle, as well as Florida-style barbecue by LOKO Cuisine’s new pop-up concept in Tampa. For more details (or to make an online donation), check out the Facebook event page. Free, money for beer and food. 6809 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-231-5900.
