Zydeco Brew Werks Ybor 1902 E 7th Ave.,Ybor City After five years of redefining the corner of 7th Avenue and 19th Street in Ybor City, Zydeco Brew Werks said “a bientôt” last January. Not getting to be with regulars and staff on a daily basis is one of the hardest parts of the closure, Zydeco brewer and co-founder Paul Rutherford told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “We’re definitely going to celebrate,” Rutherford said about the brewery’s final weeks in Ybor City. The 45-year-old who moved to Tampa from the northeast to open the brewery, brought Zydeco three medals at the World Beer Championship, including a gold for his American brett saison. He said that he even found a cask barrel of his infamous Butchy scotch ale, named for Colorado outdoorsman and salsa maker Butchy Craft. Its location at Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry will stay open. Photo via zydecobrewwerks/Facebook Credit: Photo via zydecobrewwerks/Facebook

Tampa Bay Beer Week is happening right now, but a beloved Ybor City brewery is taking a day to celebrate itself.

On Friday, March 10, from 5 p.m.-close, Zydeco Brew Werks hosts its “Blood, Sweat, and Beers” five-year anniversary party

Late last month, Zydeco brewer and co-founder Paul Rutherford shared two anniversary brews with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

The “Day 1” New Zealand pilsner was brewed with wild hops from the island country in collaboration with Brian Gad, Devin Allen and Rachel Whitecotton who were among Zydeco’s first employees.

He also shared an ice bock-style beer,which was undergoing freeze distillation that separates the water from the brew’s alcohol and sugar. The result was a refreshing 12.5% ABV sipper that drinks 100% like a light sessionable beer. There’s even a coffee variant of the ice bock that utilized Costa Rican coffee beans roasted by Blind Tiger.

There’ll be food and drink specials, live music, plus bottle releases, a five-year bourbon barrel-aged Imperial stout, plus merch, secret taps and more.

Reservations are recommended, but not required. Zydeco Brew Werks is located at 1902 E 7th Ave. on the eastern end of the historic district. More information on the party is available via @zydecobrewwerks on Facebook.