This weekend's guide to food and drink events features a couple Tampa Bay Beer Week soirees, plus a grand opening, Zen tea class and the Florida Strawberry Festival.
From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, kick off the weekend with Pair O' Dice Brewing Co.'s Lucky Lucy Strawberry Blonde Release Party. The Clearwater brewery will showcase five gallons of eight kinds of Lucky Lucy. Beer will be tapped at 4, and slices from Engine 53 Pizza will be on hand as well. Free, money for beer and food. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423.
For more suds between 5 p.m. and midnight Friday, help Coppertail Brewing in Ybor City celebrate its birthday. Guests will kick back with pints of Brews Banner American Double/Imperial IPA, or brews from Tequesta Brewing's tap takeover upstairs. To keep the party going, Brews Banner will also be available in bottles to take home. Free, money for beer. 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500.
Take Fido to The Dog Bar's grand opening from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday in downtown St. Pete. Patrons will sip "pawesome" drinks from the full liquor bar while mingling with other dog owners and enthusiasts throughout the new pooch-focused space. The bar even serves a wine that donates part of its profits to no-kill shelters. Drink up! Free, money for drinks. 2300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
Enjoy the Florida Strawberry Festival starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, or any day until March 13. Festgoers will chow down on a number of strawberry-inflected items like shortcakes, kettle corn and a burger, topped with crumbled strawberry cookies and berries, that replaces its bun with French toast. $10 for adults, $5 for kids, free for kids 5 and under. 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City, 813-752-9194.
Hosted at Nature's Food Patch in Clearwater, a seminar from Chinese artist and Oriental Zen Tea founder Jacky Lee will teach the art of Zen tea. The cultural aspects and health benefits of tea will be highlighted, and after the event at 4 p.m. Sunday, stick around for a tasting. Free. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703.
