Throughout the weekend, follow this beverage-heavy rundown on five food and drink events that're not to be missed. See? There's plenty of local stuff to do.
• Teachers Drink Free on Friday at Brew Bus in celebration of the start of a new school year. The brewery and terminal offers one beer on the house to any educators who stop from noon to midnight. To receive the freebie, all they have to do is flash their school IDs. Free. 4101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-990-7310.
• Also on Friday, Brews & Bites brings a fleet of area food trucks, live musicians and craft beer to the 360-degree Sail Pavilion. The waterfront bar — adjacent to the downtown Convention Center on Tampa's busy Riverwalk — hosts the monthly gathering between 6 and 11 p.m. every second Friday. Free, money for beer and food. 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-373-1193.
• For a second year, the annual Minute After Minute, Sour After Sour is billed as a "gangsta's paradise" of sours and wild ales from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Specialty bottle releases and keg tappings invade Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe during this beer bash, which features drafts like Angry Chair Bluebs (Berliner weisse with blueberries and lemon zest). The other participating breweries include Hidden Springs, J. Wakefield, Upland, Black Project and Cantillon. And yes, tums are on hand, as are celebratory tunes. Free, money for beer. 2927 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-800-2810.
• Let's face it: Life is so much better with a pint in hand and a pup at your side. That's what's happening on Saturday at the dog-friendly Pup Crawl fundraiser, where each stop — Pinellas Ale Works, Cage Brewing, (swah-rey), Right Around the Corner and The Dog Bar — features drink specials, doggie biscuit bars, swag bags and free Primo water for the puppers. Proceeds benefit Pet Pal Animal Shelter, but your pooch must have up-to-date shots to come along from 4 to 8 p.m. Get tickets online. $25 donation, plus money for drinks. 1962 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. —Ray Roa
• The public is invited to chow down on everything from snow crab and shrimp to crawfish and smoked sausage during the Southern-inspired, family-style Summer Seafood Boil. The Italian Club of Tampa's third annual soirée runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Other highlights include corn on the cob, red russet potatoes and Bloody Marys made with St. George Green Chile Vodka, plus a full cash bar and table service. Advanced tickets are required, so be sure to call the Italian Club office. $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers. 1731 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-248-3316.
