Announcements of Tampa Bay Beer Week 2016 events (March 5-15) are beginning to bubble to the surface.
The official kickoff each year is the Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival, which has been held on the waterfront in Tampa the past few years. Many of the state’s breweries will represent, and brewery owners, brewers and other staff will be behind the booths to pour beer and talk about their businesses.
If you can attend only one event – and you weren’t fortunate enough to land a Hunahpu’s Day ticket – this is the one.
Here’s the official press release:
CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF CRAFT BEER THROUGHOUT FLORIDA
Brewers and Enthusiasts Unite to Support Florida’s Growing Industry
Tampa, FL – On Saturday, March 5, 2016, join more than 50 Florida brewers for the kick-off of Tampa Bay Beer Week at the annual FBG Craft Beer Festival. The event will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in downtown Tampa and serves as a fundraiser for the Florida Brewers Guild, the nonprofit organization committed to ensuring the growth and protection of the craft brewing industry throughout the
Last year, nearly 1,500 beer lovers enjoyed unlimited samples of more than 200 hand-crafted brews poured by the brewery owners, not volunteers. Whether a novice consumer or dedicated beer geek, this event offers attendees the opportunity to meet the small business owners committed to creating the perfect pint. “The annual festival in Tampa has been my favorite since I started Due South”, says Mike Halker, president of the Florida Brewers Guild. “In addition to all of the great beer being poured, it’s an event where the brewers and the consumers get to connect. Many craft beer events have great beer, this one also has the folks that make the great beer. Most brewers in Florida wouldn’t think of missing the FBG Fest in March.”
Participating breweries include (list will be updated as breweries are confirmed): Alligator Brewing Co., Angry Chair Brewing, Barrel of Monks Brewing, Big Storm Brewing Co., Brew Bus Brewing, Bugnutty Brewing Company, Central 28 Beer Co., Cigar City Brewing, Concrete Beach Brewery, Coppertail Brewing Co., Crooked Can Brewing Co., Crooked Thumb Brewery, Darwin Brewing Co., Due South Brewing Co., Engine 15 Brewing Co., Florida Avenue Brewing Company, Florida Beer Company, Funky Buddha Brewery, Green Bench Brewing Co., Intuition Ale Works, Madman Ciders, Motorworks Brewing, Pair O’ Dice Brewing, Pensacola Bay Brewery, Proof Brewing Co., Rapp Brewing Company, Red Cypress Brewery, Saint Somewhere Brewing Co., Six Ten Brewing, Swamp Head Brewery, Tampa Bay Brewing Co., Tampa Beer Works, The Waterfront Brewery, Two Henry’s Brewing and Wynwood Brewing Company.
For more information please visit floridabrewersguild.org/events.
The day before the FBG, fest, Tampa Bay Beer Week will hold The Ultimate Brewer contest finals at Rapp Brewing in Seminole. Fourteen brewers from the area gathered at St. Petersburg Brewing Company on Jan. 7 to brew beers from a pre-gathered list of ingredients – some of which are pretty exotic. (Horseradish or oysters and hot sauce anyone?). Read more here.
Beer in Florida’s mission is to chronicle and support the thriving Florida craft beer community, but as a reminder, especially as the excesses of the holiday season lie before us: Drink responsibly. Designated drivers, hotel rooms, Uber, Lyft, and taxis are all great ideas. In fact, if you haven’t used Uber yet, you can get your first ride free (up to $15) by using the code uberBeerInFlorida when you sign up for the ride-share service.
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