Recommendations in Tampa/St. Pete next week

Was in the area last year. Had a quick stop at 7venth Sun Brewing in Dunedin. Didn't get to try everything but I enjoyed what I did try. It's real close to Dunedin Brewery which is also worth a stop.

 

7venth sun is awesome, CCB and Peg's Cantina are also great Tampa spots as mentioned. On the drive to Peg's Cantina you also have Rapp brewing (one of the most unique breweries I have ever been to known for brewing extinct styles of beers and awesome radical brews) and Barley Mow Brewpub (haven't been there but heard great things). One of the Leuken's Liquors is a great opportunity to pick up some great bottles. Otherwise shoot over to Mr Dunderbaks in Tampa for the best tap selection and food (check out their tap list online ahead of time) and they also have some a great bottle selection. Where are you going to be staying in Tampa? There are a lot of great beer bars these days and shoot your 'general' location and we can point you in the right stumbling/taxi distance. No luck on Hunaphu for sale but shoot out your 'have's' and someone might hook you up! (either here or in the trade forum, there is a good BA community in the area). Oh, and if you are looking to pick up bottles of locals Total Wine is often a good choice (though the already mentioned often have better one offs).

 

Don't forget rapp brewing! But I think you got everything else covered. Well if you hit Willard's you are real close to barley mow as well.

 

Yeah hunahpu will be no where in the area except in our cellars!

 

There will be an awesome beer festival at the Cajun Cafe on May 4th. I would go if I were you...

 

If you are going ill see you there!

 

OP, I sent you a message re: Hunahpu's.

 

I wouldn't bother with Dunderbaks. It's really out of the way for you. Independent Tampa would be better suited for you, or just stay at CCB.

 

Dunderbak's is about 15 minutes from the airport. I would say it is absolutely worth while. 50+ taps of incredible stuff. Much of it exclusive to the area. Independent has, what 9-10 taps?
http://www.whatsontap.buildabeer.org/WhatsOnTapAt.php?BarID=USAFL00014

 

In a word, food wise, Datz. Good beer selection too.

 

I think double that drive time would be a wee bit more accurate. Also, a shit ton of taps just tells me I'm more likely to get beer from an old keg or from a tap that hasn't had its lines cleaned in awhile. Indy Tampa usually has excellent stuff on tap for those 14 and they have a great bottle selection as well. Their only downside is that they're a little overpriced at times.

http://www.beermenus.com/places/4944-independent-bar-and-cafe-tampa

 

Don't make statements you can't back up. It's less than 15 miles from CCB and Dunderbak's and their reputation for serving fresh beer is irrefutable.
Do you work at the Independent or something?

 

Haha, for anyone that wants an accurate estimate of drive time please check google maps or mapquest. It's about 25-30 minutes in good traffic from the airport. You stated minutes, not miles in your first statement.

Also, I never said they don't serve fresh beer, and I didn't mean to imply they are known for serving old beer. However, some of their beers don't get turned over as quickly as my picky, slightly snobbish palate would like.

No, I don't work at the independent, nor do I work in a bar. I'm 'pimping' the Independent because it really is half the drive time for the OP and there is enough there to satisfy any palate. Plus, the Seminole Heights area would probably be more interesting to a visitor. New Tampa encompasses everything wrong and evil with Florida.

 

There it is...

 

I'm going to piggy back into this thread, instead of starting another one, because I'm coming to Tampa this week from out of town as well.

I have a good sense of breweries, and what I'm doing for the 1 day I have available, but what are the 1-2 best bottle shops to hit up? I've read about Leukens - is the Dunedin store the best 1? I think we'll be heading that way one day, so just wanted to check. Also, where else in Tampa for bottles (I'm staying in N. Tampa/Fletcher area)

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Ken

 

Definitely Dunedin Leukens. There is also a Total Wine right down the road from Leukens as well as one right next to CCB. They both usually have a decent selection.

I'm sure folks have some other recommendations.

 

Leukens in Dunedin is definitely the best as for other bottle shops I'm not to sure in Tampa.

 

I've never, ever been to the Independent, but Dunderbak's is absolutely 30+ minutes from the airport/CCB. I'm a USF student (well, was, just took my last exam ever yesterday!) and love the hell out of Dunderbak's, but it's absolutely true that it'd be out of the way for someone just visiting the area.