Beaches & Beer Are Calling Your Name in Tampa, Florida
Having grown up on a tiny island on the Georgia coast, I will always have an affinity for traveling to beach destinations. I crave being by the water. When I think of Tampa, Florida, crystal clear blue water is the first thing. Then palm trees, and then an ice-cold beer. Tampa is a big and diverse city with a massive craft beer scene. I’m thrilled Hotels.com asked me to put together my ideal Tampa weekend guide to help you plan a trip and find Tampa’s best places to drink craft beer. Whether you need to get away from the winter chill or you’re craving a change of scenery with a side of great beer, Tampa is the place.
Tampa, FL by Chris Murray via Unsplash
Where to Stay in Tampa
The options really are endless in the Tampa area. If you want to be centrally located, I’d check out the hotels downtown on the waterfront. If you’re looking for a more neighborhood vibe or trendy hotel, look at the options in Ybor City or Hyde Park.
Spend a day at the beach
Tampa is technically on a bay so you’ll need to take a drive to get to a beach. But as soon as your feet hit that soft sand and you feast your eyes on the cool blue water you will be grateful you did.
Honeymoon Island State Park by Chalo Garcia via Unsplash
When you think of Florida beaches, Honeymoon Island State Park has the long stretches of soft white sand that might come to mind. In addition to beautiful coastline, it’s a short drive from Tampa and one of the best places to go birding. If you really want to get away from the crowds and see some wildlife, hop a ferry from here over to Caladesi State Park in Dunedin. It is one of the few natural islands in the Gulf and it’s only accessible by boat. Depending on the time of year, you might have the beach to yourself or venture into the mangrove forest by kayak to see some wildlife.
Related: 5 Islands in Georgia You Need to Visit
Indian Rocks Beach is about 45 minutes from downtown Tampa but it is worth the trip. When you need a break from the sun, walk across the street to grab a bite or a drink. You’ll find me munching on pastries Cafe de Paris bakery or slurping oysters by the dozen at Lulu’s Oyster Bar & Tap House.
Craft Beer in Tampa
There is so much craft beer in the Tampa Bay area. I doubt you could visit every brewery over one weekend so here are a few must-tries.
Cigar City Brewing, Spruce Street - It is one of the biggest breweries in town and one of the oldest. Their Jai Lai IPA is beloved nationwide and the rest of their year-round lineup is equally tasty. The brewery is laid back, full of locals, and cute dogs. You know it's a good spot when even the brewery staff stay and hang out long after they finish their shift.
Angry Chair, Seminole Heights - This brewery is a small neighborhood brewery but with a heavy metal vibe. They’re known for their special release barrel-aged beers but brew plenty of IPAs, sours, and other unique styles. I sampled a little of everything on tap but given it was incredibly hot outside, the tropical Berliner Weisse on tap was the winner.
7venth Sun, Seminole Heights - Their original brewery is in nearby Dunedin but they have a Tampa outpost as well! I’m a huge fan because their specialty is Berliner Weisse style beers which are perfect for Florida because the lightly tart (sometimes fruity) beers make excellent beach day sippers. The owner and creator Devon is a badass woman whom I had the pleasure of pouring with at Upland Brewing’s Sour Beer Festival some years ago. If you’re not a fan of sour beers, they make plenty of other styles too. The Tampa location has a small 15 barrel brewing system you can tour as well.
Coppertail Brewing, Ybor City - With a brewery name inspired by a mythical sea creature and beer names like Free Dive and Night Swim, Coppertail is undoubtedly Florida inspired. The Ybor City brewery is always packed with locals and tourists, a testament to their beer. The space is gorgeous and mixes the industrial vibe of the 100-year-old building with unique copper art on the walls and chandeliers with twinkling like tentacles. If you're hungry, get the smoked fish dip or grouper sandwich.
Related: Plan the Ultimate Craft Beercation in Nashville, Tenessee
The Brew Bus - If you’re looking for a guided experience, hop on the Brew Bus. They offer a few different tours so you will find something perfect for your group. The Local Loop is a hop on and off ride stopping at bars, breweries and restaurants Ybor City, Seminole Heights, and Downtown Tampa for just $10. Or go with an all-inclusive Full Pour Tour that visits 3 different breweries with a full pint at each stop plus two beers from Brew Bus Brewing that you can enjoy on the bus! My friends and I opted for the full pour. We had a blast but if I had to do it again, I’d do the Local Loop because you can hop on and off all day long for one price.
This is just a small taste of the brewery scene in Tampa Bay.
Other breweries I like nearby:
Green Bench, St. Petersburg: The first craft brewery in St. Petersburg that does classic styles really well.
Funky Buddha, Oakland Park: Solid Hefeweizen and IPA. The Pineapple Beach (golden ale with pineapple) makes an excellent beach beer. I’m usually not one for flavored dark beers but the Maple Bacon Coffee Porter that is so good next to a stack of French toast at brunch.
Restaurants with great beer lists
Bar snacks are great and all but don’t forget to take a break from brewery hopping, sit down (at a table), and sample the eclectic restaurant scene in Tampa.
Ulele Springs, Downtown Tampa - Located on the Riverwalk, this brewpub has a big menu with plenty of seafood dishes inspired by the coast. The Gulf Coast oysters are a standout served on the half shell or grilled with garlic butter and parmesan. Ulele also makes a spicy Bloody Mary so finish your trip off with one of these overlooking the river.
Ulele Tampa
Mermaid Tavern, Seminole Heights - This quirky pub in Seminole Heights is everything I love in a bar. A diverse tap list (European, local, and other craft beers), locally sourced food (seafood in this case), no TVs (or if there was one I didn’t notice), and a cozy atmosphere. I can’t take credit for finding this gem on my own; big thanks to the bartender at Angry Chair for sending our group to this spot.
The Oxford Exchange, West Kennedy Boulevard - Admittedly beer is not the focus of this spot but it is so worth a visit. Part shop, part restaurant, The Oxford Exchange is a must for lunch or brunch (Saturday & Sunday). I mean where can you have a chopped salad dressed with a delightfully zingy citrus vinaigrette and a side of Nutella babka ?! Freaking delicious. The burger is next level, especially after a weekend of beer tasting. When you’re finished with brunch, peruse the beautiful home, gift, and book shop.
Oxford Exchange, Tampa, Florida by PJ Accetturo via Unsplash
Other Fun Things to do in Tampa
Yoga in the Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Downtown Tampa. (Sunday) - Yoga is my best friend after a beercation and I love finding local classes whenever I travel. Plus this one is free (donations accepted)!
Related: Yoga + Beer Retreat in Bend, Oregon
Dali Museum, St. Petersburg - I have not been personally but as an art history major back in undergrad, it is on my list for next time.
Shopping in Ybor City - Shop and explore vibrant Ybor City, the former Cuban cigar capital of the world. Immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Cuba all flooded Ybor City in the 19th and early 20th centuries to support the booming once-booming cigar industry. Today the neighborhood is full of independent shops, restaurants, and bars. I’d highly recommend The Columbia (home of the OG Cuban sandwich), and The Blind Tiger Cafe, part coffee shop and part boutique.
This post is sponsored by Hotels.com but all opinions are my own.
