As the Florida Craft beer industry booms, craft beer-centric events, parties, festivals and more flourish. According to The Florida Beer Guild, California ranks #1 with 518 breweries, producing 3.8 million barrels of brew per year. Florida now ranks 11th with 151 breweries producing 1.2 million barrels. The economic impact of the craft beer industry is considerable, of the $105.9 billion dollars in beer sales last year $22.3 billion was craft beer. Overall beer sales dropped 0.2% while craft beer sales increased 12.8%. Craft breweries are a force not only nationwide, but at the state level and locally as we continue to appreciate high quality, full-flavored beers and the fun these unique small businesses offer. Bookmark Spring and Summer Beer Fests Parties and More Tampa, refer back to it often over the summer. We will keep it updated with new events adding them as they are announced.
Spring and Summer Beer Fests Parties and More Tampa
Monthly since 2011, the Brew Bus USA takes groups of fun-loving, craft beer enthusiasts on their amusing, delicious tours where the beer flows and the crowd crows. Hop a bus to the beach, stay the day and head back home, pop over to Orlando, or take the Local Loop singing Journey and Queen with 28 new best friends as you tour three breweries sampling brews. Click on Brew Bus USA and head over to their website. Check the calendar and board the brew bus, we promise, you won't be asking, "Are Wheat There Yet?"
May 1
I Need a Beer Art Show at Cigar City Brewing is an art gallery opening in the Tasting Room's Krausen Parlour, artwork from a dozen artists will be available or purchase during the month of May. On May 1st at 7 pm take part in the formal opening of the gallery with special CCB bottles and other brew goodies. The purpose of "I Need A Beer" is to allow artists to express their appreciation of craft beer and to give you a chance to find the perfect collector's piece for your home.
Yoga in The Brewery at Hidden Springs Ale Works. Enjoy Sunday Fun with your friends or on your own and start Sunday off with yoga and beer. Yes! Beer! Class starts promptly at 11 am, arrive 10 minutes early to buy your ticket. Bring your mat and your friends, get in a good workout then have a recovery pint. Can't make it tomorrow? Yoga classes followed by a pint of beer are also available in St.Pete at 3 Daughters Brewing (every first and third Wednesday), and Green Bench Brewing (every second Sunday of the month).
May 5
Cinco de De Drinko Release and Costume Party at Hidden Springs Ale Works, Grab your mariachi costume, dress like Carmen Rivera and shake your maracas over to Hidden Springs Ale Works for Cinco de Drinko! A party to celebrate a special limited edition beer release that we venture will be spicy! Eat delicious Mexican cuisine from Elite Events Catering, Inc., take out your frustrations on a huge donkey pinata and should you be the guest with the BEST Cinco costume, well let's just say, prizes!
May 7
Brew Ha-Ha to benefit Alzheimer's Association @ Cigar City Cider & Mead. From 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Cigar City Cider & Mead in Ybor City celebrate Alzheimer’s Awareness while proceeds from select beverages are donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Relish the craft beer, a silent auction, raffle prizes and more. Call Craig Mayers at 727-710-4976 if you have any additional questions or would like to donate a raffle item.
AHA Big Brew Day, at Southern Brewing & Winemaking Curious? Today is the day you can see how it's made! The American Homebrewers Association, a group of local homebrew clubs will hold demonstrations for anyone curious about the process of craft beer brewing. Held in the Biergarten, The Slab food truck serves from 12-8 pm, so come hungry! A nationwide toast takes place at 1 pm. This is the party to attend if you want a peek behind the scenes. The taproom will be open and beer will be flowing all day!
WaZoo BeerFest @ Lowry Park Zoo This year marks the 21st annual WaZoo BeerFest! They moved the date up on the calendar to take advantage of cooler temps and breezier nights. This HUGE zoo party features features 250+ beers and beverages from 70 breweries worldwide, pub fare and live music will delight you throughout the Zoo. It's an all-inclusive deal and yes, there is VIP. Called the Beastly Beer Club, tickets are limited so call today!
May 10
Pepin Brews With Attitude at TPepin's Hospitality Centre. The Sixth Annual Brews With Attitude Craft Beer Fest brings new experiences from 6 - 10 pm Tuesday, May 10th. With over 100 Craft Beers and Ciders to sample, food trucks, live entertainment. one-off craft beer releases, hand rolled cigars and more we can't think of a better way to spend a Tuesday night!
May 14
Barns & Beer Craft Beer Fesitval at good Old McMicky's Farm. It's time, time for an adult 'field trip' to Old Mc Micky's! Does a traditional farm in Odessa, Fl with a big red barn set on a picturesque 40 acre lake where you can enjoy over 75 of the best craft beers and wine with great entertainment, and great food while raising money for a great cause sound good? Be corny as you enjoy fun farm games like Egg Races, a Barn Maze and more! Give the Mechanical Bull a try then take the Lighted Hay Ride. This barely covers the 'more' taking place at this unique craft Beer Fest. Proceeds benefit the farm and Camp Keystone. Established in 1946 Camp Keystone lovingly serves kids and families in Tampa Bay.
Blue Point Toasted Tour at Water Works Park from 2:00 to 7:00 pm. Are you ready for a firkin' good time? Then this is the party! Blue Point may call Patchogue, LI home but they are packing up their award-winning beers, gathering their brewers and Chef Paula DaSilva from 3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa to bring Blue Point's 'Boatyard' to our backyard. The Toasted Tour is coming to take over Tampa! And they are coming to prove a point, they know drinkers, and as long as craft brew lovers enjoy what they do, they'll keep doing it! From tapping their first keg in a parking lot to traveling the country sharing Blue Point, like most brewers they have a story to tell. Be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity, and check out The Toasted Tour!
May 23
Scavenger “Hunt for the Cure” benefiting Alzheimer’s Association starts from the The Bad Monkey at 2:00 pm. The cost is $20 per player, players play in teams hunting for points. Visit participating venues, find hidden items and enjoy happy hour specials, raffles and a silent auction after turning in your scorecard at Cigar City Cider and Mead. Teams can be 2-6 people, everyone must be 21. You can pre-purchase your scorecard on the TBBW site. Click on the event name.
May 24
Craft beer pairing Dinner with SaltBlock Catering at Hidden Springs Ale Works. SaltBlock Catering is popping-up once again, this time in the tasting room at Hidden Springs Ale Works for a delicious beer pairing dinner experience. Each delicious dish, inspired by HSAW beers, is guaranteed to please. A four course dinner, tickets include beer.
June 4th
Beer Camp Across America presented by The Florida Brewers Guild at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park showcases 60+ Breweries and hundreds of beers at this, one of only 6 national beer fests presented nationwide by Sierra Nevada. Food trucks and live music will be on-hand. How happy are we that the booming craft beer movement in Tampa Bay has been deemed worthy! This is one not to be missed!
As the number of craft beer breweries grows with expansion of local breweries like Big Storm and cross-state friends like Funky Buddha we can expect this list to grow as well. We hope you can attend many of the events listed on Spring and Summer Beer Fests Parties and More Tampa and hope you will let us know if we missed one by leaving a comment below. As beer fests and parties gain popularity it will be tougher and tougher to get in, be sure to buy your tickets today for ticketed events and mark your calendar for others. Check back in now and then to see what's new, we hope to see you, you and a cold craft brew at the party!
