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A guide to Tampa Bay food and drink events this weekend

Brews by the Bay samples 100-plus beers, wiener dogs lead Marker 48’s Oktoberfest, seasonal sweets at local restaurants and Mastry’s Brewing celebrates three years.
You can taste more than 100 beers during Brews by the Bay, now in its 11th year at Tampa's Florida Aquarium. [Courtesy of Florida Aquarium]
By Meaghan Habuda
Published Oct. 9

AFTER HOURS: BREWS BY THE BAY

More than 100 beers invade the Florida Aquarium for Brews by the Bay. Showcasing breweries in town and beyond, the 11th annual late-night sampling sesh pairs its main draw with a variety of eats by 30 local restaurants. You’re welcome to groove to live music or boogie during the silent disco on the rooftop, too. VIP is sold out. Benefits Florida Aquarium conservation programs. $69. 8-11 p.m. Friday. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 309-9721. flaquarium.org.

Now in its 11th year at Tampa's Florida Aquarium, Brews by the Bay will also offer a variety of eats by 30 local restaurants. [Courtesy of Florida Aquarium]

TREAT YOURSELF: SEASONAL SWEETS

Goody Goody’s pumpkin cheesecake has arrived. The new fall-inspired dessert features a hint of vanilla and is available for a limited time. Hyde Park Village, 1601 W Swann Ave., Tampa. (813) 308-1925. goodygoodyburgers.com.

Head to the Hyppo for another seasonal sweet: the vanilla crunch popsicle. The Florida-born gourmet ice pop purveyor has teamed up with Cascadian Farm Organic to donate $2 to Feeding Tampa Bay every time this frozen treat is sold. On the menu at 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City, and 702 S Village Circle, Tampa. thehyppo.com.

Fall has also brought the return of the pumpkin whoopie pie to Bake’n Babes for a limited time. Enough said. The Hall on Franklin, 1701 N Franklin St., Tampa. (813) 405-4008. bakenbabes.com.

Cascadian Farm Organic and Florida-born gourmet ice pop purveyor the Hyppo joined forces to create the vanilla crunch popsicle. [Courtesy of Cascadian Farm Organic and the Hyppo]

REAL WIENERS: OKTOBERFEST

Now in its fourth year at Marker 48 Brewing, Oktoberfest offers a one-of-a-kind tradition: wiener dog races. You can also bring your small, medium or large pooch to compete in one of the preliminary runs. (All breeds are welcome.) Contests for best lederhosen and dirndl and longest stein-hoist round out the competitive events. On the beer side, there are all sorts of traditional German styles to order, among them Marker 48′s take on a Marzen lager. Food trucks, live music and other activities are planned as well. To register for the races, which benefit the Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida, go to runningofthewieners.com. Free, food and drink additional. 1:30-11 p.m. Saturday. 12147 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. (352) 606-2509. marker48.com.

Oktoberfest at Spring Hill's Marker 48 Brewing will spotlight a one-of-a-kind tradition: wiener dog races. [Courtesy of Marker 48 Brewing]

RAISE A GLASS: THIRD ANNIVERSARY

Three bottle releases, including a rum barrel-aged saison with the yeast Brettanomyces and special-occasion taps help St. Pete Beach’s first craft brewery observe its third anniversary. Originally started as a brewpub inside a family-owned restaurant in 2014, Mastry’s Brewing Co. expanded to the beach with a tasting room two years later. “We have grown so much as a brand, a brewery and a tasting room over the past three years," said founder Matthew Dahm in a statement. "We are constantly pushing ourselves to new levels and have some great things already in the pipeline for the upcoming year including getting Mastry’s Brewing Co. into the package game and possibly a second location.” The on-site Mastry’s Brewing food truck serves up nosh during the bash, and there will be games and live music. Free, food and drink additional. Noon-midnight Saturday. 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. (727) 202-8045. mastrysbrewingco.com.

Originally started as a brewpub, Mastry's Brewing Co. expanded to St. Pete Beach with a tasting room in 2016. [Times (2016)]

WHIP IT GOOD: BAKING BATTLES

The Youth Baking Contest challenges ages 5 to 17 to make and enter recipes for their favorite baked goods. Submissions must be dropped off at 11 a.m. Saturday, with judging at 2:30 p.m. Prizes for first through third places are presented the younger (5 to 10) and older kids (11 to 17) alike. Free. Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road. (813) 273-3652.

Amateur and professional bakers 18 and older throw down at the Cupcake Contest, vying for the chance to claim the people’s and judges’ vote. You’re invited to taste the entries on a first-come, first-served basis. A $5 donation comes with five ballots, and extras are available for $1 each. Benefits the Safety Harbor Public Library Foundation. 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Safety Harbor Public Library, 101 Second St. N. (727) 724-1525. safetyharborlibraryfoundation.org.

GLAMOROUS GRUB: COOKING CLASS

Better with the stovetop than the oven? Try out Cafe Largo’s next cooking class. You’re working with a sophisticated menu of crab souffle, stuffed lamb brisket and mini sorbet. Call for reservations. $40. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. 12551 Indian Rocks Road. (727) 596-6282. cafelargorestaurant.com.

LOCAL LOVE: GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL

The Great American Beer Festival went down in Denver last week, and nearly 10 Florida breweries earned top honors. Recognizing brewing excellence in 107 beer-style categories, the 38th annual celebration’s competition awarded bronze medals to Brew Hub (Lakeland) and Fort Myers Brewing Co., while Tampa Bay Brewing Co. (Ybor City), Grayton Beer Company (Santa Rosa Beach) and Crooked Can Brewing Company (Winter Garden) scored one silver each, with Corporate Ladder Brewing Company (Palmetto) taking home two. As for the lone gold medal, that went to Cigar City Brewing (Tampa). Visit greatamericanbeerfestival.com to see the full list of winners.

Tampa brewery Cigar City nabbed a gold medal for its Maduro Brown Ale during this year's Great American Beer Festival in Denver. [Times (2013)]

SIPS AND SNACKS: TWO TASTINGS

Ybor City Wine Bar owner and sommelier Jayme Kosar leads A “Very Special” Wine Tasting, which includes charcuterie and a silent auction. Benefits PFLAG. $20. 5 p.m. Thursday. Ybor Historic House, 3510 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. (863) 535-5239.

The Wine & Artisan Cheese Tasting, hosted by Cambria brand ambassador Katie Phillips, invites you to sample five kinds of the estate winery’s vino paired with four gourmet cheeses. Wines are available for purchase. $25. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday. Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N Bayshore Drive. (727) 724-7706. safety-harbor-resort-and-spa.myshopify.com.

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