Since you won't be glued to your local TV news channel for weather updates through the weekend, go out and enjoy this hearty lineup of food and drink events.
Starting at 3 p.m. Friday, get a taste of the Belgian Dubbel Release at 81Bay Brewing Co., and then catch the USF game. Patrons can wash down their food from Empamamas with the new craft beer, which weighs in at 7.6 percent ABV. The release party, planned for last week, was postponed due to Hurricane Irma. Free, money for beer. 4465 W. Gandy Blvd. #600, Tampa, 813-837-2739.
We know Intermezzo was included in our last weekend roundup, but come on — Friday is the coffee and cocktail bar's One Year Anniversary Party. Drink deals in hand from 7 to 11 p.m., partygoers can peruse a pop-up market with local goods from places like Made Coffee, BCA BBQ, Ashe Couture, Fernweh Designs and Milagros. Expect bocce ball in the parking lot, vintage vinyl spun by DJs Sugarbear and Boomerang, and food provided by Buya Ramen and the Ikigai food truck as well. Free, money for goodies. 111 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-342-0156.
Down for wine and seafood? Cru Cellars' 7th birthday bash has both. Patrons taste fine wines by the Florida Wine Company during the appropriately titled Seafood & Wine Party, plus summer seafood from executive chef Brad Sobo. Menu items include clam chowder, octopus carpaccio, raw oysters and snow crab. Each ticket, which can be purchased online, comes with a $10 credit toward any retail purchase. Ten percent of the tasting's sales will benefit the American Red Cross to help those affected by Irma. $50. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117.
Also on Saturday, celebrate Oktoberfest at two area breweries. Rapp Brewing Company's celebration from 2 p.m. to midnight includes stein specials, German pretzels, Oktoberfest-themed pizza and a costume contest, while Crooked Thumb Brewery has traditional German fare, a stein-hoisting competition and live music in store between 3 and 10 p.m. (Check out the other Oktoberfest happenings that're coming up.) Free, money for beer and food. Rapp: 10930 Endeavour Way, Seminole, 727-544-1752. Crooked Thumb: 555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor, 727-724-5953.
Grab some in-between grub from The Little Lamb Gastropub's Pop-Up Brunch on Sunday. Hosted from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Clearwater restaurant offers a menu created specifically for the event, along with sake cocktails and mimosas. CL Food Critic Jon Palmer Claridge really dug this place, FYI. Free, money for food and drinks. 2475 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-401-3339.
