The Tampa Bay beer scene continues to evolve in exciting ways, as evidenced by the latest developments from the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance. In a recent interview on the BeerWise Podcast, Sean Nordquist shared insights on two major upcoming beer festivals that showcase the region’s vibrant craft beer culture. (Read to the end to learn how you can win FREE TICKETS TO HALFWAY THERE.)
The Halfway There Beer Festival, marking its 11th year (with a pandemic-induced gap in 2020), has established itself as a cornerstone event in the Tampa Bay beer calendar. What began as a rare beer festival has transformed into a celebration of the region’s brewing prowess, taking place at the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum. This indoor, air-conditioned venue offers the perfect respite from August heat while bringing together breweries from across Tampa Bay.
What makes this year’s festival particularly interesting is the renewed focus on Beer Week connections. The Coliseum’s unique alcoves will feature mini-exhibitions of major Beer Week events, allowing attendees to preview and even purchase tickets for March’s festivities. Organizations like Best Florida Beer, Coppertail Brewing, and Florida Avenue will showcase their upcoming Beer Week special events, creating a festival-within-a-festival atmosphere.
Perhaps most intriguing is the return to beer’s roots with a dedicated section for imported Belgian beers. As Nordquist noted, these classic Belgian ales were foundational to Tampa Bay’s beer culture, but have sometimes been overshadowed by the explosion of local craft options. The festival aims to reintroduce drinkers to timeless classics like Chimay White, Orval, and other Belgian masterpieces that helped educate a generation of beer enthusiasts. This effort, spearheaded by local Belgian beer champions like Veronica from The Independent and Tom Barris from Global Beer Network, represents an important reconnection with brewing heritage.
Meanwhile, an exciting new addition to Tampa’s beer calendar is the inaugural Cask Festival, scheduled for October 18th at Yuengling’s Brewery taproom. This outdoor evening event will feature approximately 30 breweries showcasing traditional cask ales – beer served directly from the cask without additional carbonation, resulting in a unique drinking experience characterized by subtle flavors and smooth mouthfeel.
The Cask Festival represents a celebration of what beer enthusiasts sometimes call “real ale” – traditionally conditioned beer that continues to develop in the vessel from which it’s served. Yuengling is even sending special cask-conditioned beers from their Pottsville brewery, a rare treat that doesn’t often make it to Florida. The festival will feature traditional fare like scotch eggs and beer-stein shaped pretzels with beer cheese, creating an authentic pub atmosphere under the Florida sky.
What makes this new festival particularly interesting is the variety of approaches brewers will take with their cask offerings. Some will pursue traditional English styles like mild ales, brown ales, and traditional pale ales, while others may experiment with modern craft styles conditioned in casks. This blend of tradition and innovation promises a unique tasting experience for attendees.
Both festivals highlight the continued growth and sophistication of Tampa Bay’s beer community. With Visit St. Pete/Clearwater serving as presenting sponsor for Halfway There, there’s clear recognition of craft beer’s importance to the region’s tourism and cultural identity. These events don’t just celebrate great beer – they help sustain the connections between brewers, enthusiasts, and the broader community that have made Tampa Bay a nationally recognized craft beer destination.
For those interested in attending either festival, tickets are available through the Tampa Bay Beer Week website and social media channels. With limited capacity at both venues (approximately 800 for Halfway There), early ticket purchases are recommended for these showcase events that highlight the past, present, and future of Tampa Bay’s thriving beer culture.
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