The Best of Tampa for Beer Lovers (and Bloggers)

 

So you’re heading to Tampa for the 2016 Beer Bloggers Conference but you’re not sure what to expect…not to worry!  The experts over at Visit Tampa Bay have rounded up the best of what Tampa has to offer for beer lovers.  Here is their list of recommendations.

1. Beer

We wouldn’t have brought you all the way down here if we couldn’t deliver the good stuff. Cigar City Brewing may be our most well-known brewery, but Tampa Bay is home to dozens of incredible breweries. Coming off a recent Great American Beer Festival win, Brew Bus is opening its brewery and tap room in February in Seminole Heights. Stay in the neighborhood to hit up Angry Chair Brewing, Southern Brewing (also a great spot for homebrew supplies) and, a bit farther south, Ulele Springs and Hidden Springs Ale Works. Down the road from there is Ybor City, home to Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Coppertail Brewing, Cigar City Cider and Mead and Rock Brothers Brewing, which is set to open this spring. We’re also big fans of Six Ten Brewing (don’t miss the delicious CBGB) and Four Stacks Brewing a bit outside of town down in Apollo Beach.

2. Food

We believe good beer and good food go hand in hand. Feel right at home at the Independent Bar and Café – home to some killer sandwiches and an impressive tap and a bottle list pushing 200 options. Mermaid Tavern serves up an incredible “Drunk Grilled Cheese” you can pair with one of 28 drafts, the majority of which feature Tampa Bay/Florida brews. You can expect a solid selection of local brews at Fodder and Shine to wash down authentic Florida Cracker food from a James Beard Award nominated chef. For some high-end fare, walk from your hotel to Anise Global Gastrobar for tapas and a great cocktail, or to Edison: Food+Drink Lab to enjoy their ever-changing and always creative menu and house-bottled cocktails.

3. Activities

You can’t eat and drink the whole time (well, maybe you can), so don some sunscreen, step out from your hotel and on to Tampa’s Riverwalk. More than 2 miles of uninterrupted waterfront, which connects to the famous Bayshore Boulevard for even more space to walk or bike without having to worry about traffic. The Riverwalk connects some of Tampa’s best attractions, like the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Museum of Art and Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. If that’s not your thing, go cruising with Coast Bike Share or hit the water with Urban Kai Paddleboarding.

After attending last year’s conference in Asheville, Visit Tampa Bay cannot wait to host such a great group.

Check out the site to find out all you need to know on the craft brew scene in Tampa or watch their Bay Crafted video

Leave us some comments of anything you are planning on checking out at BBC this year.