Five ways to plan your weekend with food and drink in mind.
On Friday, head over to Rollin' Oats to test out some beer. The local grocer hosts a Free Beer Tastin', featuring a variety of brews available for purchase. The sampling, hosted by the in-house beer expert, runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. 2842 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-821-6825.
Coffee and mead lovers alike are sure to enjoy Garagiste Meadery's Blue Mountain Bottle Release. Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, the Tampa Heights newcomer is set to spotlight its latest creation — Blue Mountain, a mead aged on fresh-roasted Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee beans — without any limitations. Cash is strongly preferred; there are less than 800 bottles available. $22 per bottles. 1506 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.
Sample more than 100 unusual honeys from all over the world with USF Botanical Gardens during Taste of Honey, which also includes special tours by expert staffers who're set to discuss topics like colony collapse, beekeeping basics and how to start your own apiary. More highlights from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday? Door prizes and live music. Find tickets online. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, 813-974-2329.
Check out the Jamaican Me Crazy End of Summer Bash at the Sirata Beach Resort's Rum Runners Bar & Grille. From 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, partygoers jam out to live tunes from Trinity 7 while feasting on curried goat, braised oxtail, plantains and black beans. The celebration also showcases a "No Worries" rum punch and a best dressed contest. Guests who register online in advance score a free island cocktail at the door. Free, money for food and drinks. 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-363-5135.
Round out the weekend while grubbing and drinking for a cause. Punky's Bar & Grill puts on the Hurricane Relief FUNdraiser on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to help the people and pets impacted by the recent storms. With donated baskets and gift certificates from dozens of locals like PJ's Oyster Bar and Old Key West Bar & Grill, the benefit event has a raffle planned every 30 minutes. Expect themed cocktails, including the Irmacane and Wallbanger, alongside live music. Free, money for goodies. 3063 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-201-4712.
This article appears in Sep 21-28, 2017.