The 5th Annual Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival is now underway, running each Saturday and Sunday (plus Friday, April 19) from noon until close through April 28, 2019. The event combines over three dozen sample sized culinary creations, over 100 different wines and craft brews, headline concerts and other entertainment. In this guide, we take a look at all of the wine, beer and cocktail choices available.

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the items we tried below were purchased using a sampler lanyard the park provided at a media preview of the event. Others were purchased out of our own pocket. As always, all opinions are our own.

While we’ve attempted to provide the most accurate information possible, all of the details, pricing and item availability are subject to change without notice. Last update: 4/4/2019.

Be sure to check out our other Food & Wine articles:

Festival Guide  —  Food Guide  —  Concert Guide

---

Sampler Lanyards

Available for purchase at any of the festival cabins, the Sampler Lanyards can save you money if you’re planning on purchasing multiple items. The best part is the lanyards can be shared among your party, and are good throughout the duration of the festival, so no need to buy one for every person or feel you need to use all the punches in one visit.

There are three price points for the lanyards – $29.99 for a five-item lanyard, $39.99 for an eight-item lanyard, and $54.99 for a 12-item lanyard. Annual pass members can also get a special 15-item lanyard for the price of a 12-item lanyard, but no further discount applies. The pass member discount applies to the 5 and 8-item lanyards.

The lanyards are valid at every booth for every food and alcoholic beverage item. How much you can save will vary depending on which lanyard you purchase and what items you choose, but even at $30 for the 5-item lanyard (that breaks down to $6 per item), with alcoholic drink prices starting at $8.50, you’ll save over $10 compared to paying out of pocket for five drinks.

---

Drink Guide

There are more than a dozen “Libation Stations” across the festival area, plus 5 special tasting bars where you can sample different varieties of wine, bourbon, tequila & vodka. Many of the stations feature one or more wineries and breweries, and some of the food cabins also have a wine, beer or cocktail pairing on their menus.


Be sure to pick up a Festival Guide when you enter the park or from the Festival Welcome Center located just outside the Gwazi Park gates. The Libation Stations are listed in numerical order in our guide below.

---

Libation Stations

There are a total of 15 libation stations that feature just wine, craft beer & cocktail selections. Each station has a couple of wineries and/or breweries featured. Pricing is standardized across all of the beverage cabins – you’ll find wine & cocktails available for $8.50 a glass, and the craft beers at $8.99 a glass. If you’re using a Sampler Lanyard, it’s one punch per drink.

Libation Station #1

• Wine – $8.50
  • Juggernaut Hillside – Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Hess Collection Shirtail Ranchers – Sauvignon Blanc
  • Hess Select Treo – Red Blend
  • William Hill – Chardonnay
  • William Hill – Cabernet Sauvignon
• Beer – $8.99
  • Coppertail Brewing – Free Dive IPA – 5.9% ABV
  • 3 Daughters Brewing – Key Lime Cider – 5.5% ABV

Libation Station #2

• Wine – $8.50
  • Terraza de los Andes – Reserva Malbec
  • Terraza de los Andes – Reserva Torrontes (White)
  • Lobetia – Rosado (Pink Rose)
  • Lobetia – Tempranillo (Red)
• Beer – $8.99
  • Green Bench Brewing – Skyway Hazy IPA – 4.5% ABV
  • 7venth Sun Brewery – Graffiti Orange Wheat Ale – 5.9% ABV
  • Cycle Brewing – Cream and Sugar, Please Coffee Sugar Porter – 4.9% ABV

Libation Station #3

• Wine – $8.50
  • Hermann J Wiemer – Cabernet Franc
  • Hermann J Wiemer – Chardonnay
  • Hermann J Wiemer – Dry Riesling
  • Erath – Pinot Noir
  • Erath – Pinot Gris
• Beer – $8.99
  • Florida Avenue Brewing Co. – Passion of the Heights American Wheat Ale – 4.7% ABV
  • Cigar City Brewing – Guayabera Citra Pale Ale – 5.5% ABV

Libation Station #4

• Wine – $8.50
  • Astoria – Prosecco
  • Astoria – Moscato Rose
  • Fleur De Mer – Rose
  • Caposaldo – Sweet Peach Sparkling Moscato
• Beer – $8.99
  • Funky Buddha Brewing – Pineapple Blond Ale – 5% ABV / IBU 20
  • Terrapin Beer Co. – Liquid Bliss Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter – 6.1% ABV / IBU 20

Libation Station #5

• Wine – $8.50
  • Josh Cellars – Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Josh Cellars – Sauvignon Blanc
  • Rodney Strong – Rose
  • Storypoint – Chardonnay
  • Storypoint – Pinot Noir
• Beer – $8.99
  • Founders Brewing Co. – All Day Session IPA – 4.7% ABV / IBU 42
  • Rogue – Honey Kolsch – 5.2% ABV / IBU 26

Libation Station #8

• Wine – $8.50
  • Michael David – Freakshow Red Blend
  • Michael David – Petite Petit Petite Sirah
  • SAVED – Rose
  • SAVED – Red Blend
• Beer – $8.99
  • Abita Brewing Co. – Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat – 4.2% ABV / IBU 13
  • Ballast Point Brewing Co. – Bonito Blonde Ale – 4.5% ABV / IBU 20

Libation Station #12

• Cocktails – $8.50
  • Frozen Peach Bellini
  • Negroni
  • Ruby Red Grapefruit Paloma
  • Joia Spirit Moscow Mule
• Beer – $8.99
  • Avery Brewing Co. – El Gose – 4.5% ABV
  • Bell’s Brewery – Oberon American Wheat Ale – 5.8% ABV

Below is the Frozen Peach Bellini, with Gwazi Field and SheiKra in the background. On a hot afternoon, it was very refreshing, with a sweet peachy flavor and a fair amount of alcohol.

Libation Station #13

• Wine – $8.50
  • Scavi & Ray – Moscato
  • Scavi & Ray – Lambrusco
  • Scavi & Ray – Prosecco
  • Sileni Cellar Selection – Pinot Gris
  • Sileni Cellar Selection – Pinot Noir
• Beer – $8.99
  • Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – SeaQuench Ale Session Sour – 4.9% ABV / IBU 10
  • Lagunitas Brewing Company – Sumpin’ Easy Pale Wheat Ale – 5.7% ABV / IBU 50

Libation Station #14

• Wine – $8.50
  • Beringer Bros. – Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Beringer Bros. – Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay
  • Domaine Gayda – Flying Solo Grenache Blanc Viognier
  • Domaine Gayda – Flying Solo Grenache Cinsault Rose
  • Cline Farmhouse – White
• Beer – $8.99
  • DuClaw Brewing Co. – Sweet Baby Jesus Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter – 6.2% ABV / IBU 33
  • Cigar City Cider & Mead – Apple Pie Cider – 5.5% ABV
  • Magic Hat Brewing Co. – #9 Ale – 5.1% ABV / IBU 20

Libation Station #15

• Wine – $8.50
  • Eppa – Sangria White
  • Eppa – Sangria Red
  • Alexander Brown – Red Blend
  • Alexander Brown – Sauvignon Blanc
• Beer – $8.99
  • Brew Hub – Keybilly Island Key Lime Ale – 3.5% ABV
  • New Belgium Brewing – Fat Tire Amber Ale – 5.2% ABV / IBU 22

Libation Station #16

• Wine – $8.50
  • Bellacosa – Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Yes Way – Rose
  • J Lohr – 7 Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon
  • J Lohr – Arroyo Vista Chardonnay
• Beer – $8.99
  • Cigar City Brewing – Tocobaga Red IPA – 7.2% ABV / IBU 75
  • Boulevard Brewing Co. – Tropical Pale Ale – 5.9% ABV / IBU 45

Libation Station #24

• Cocktails – $8.50
  • Watermelon Frose
  • Rum Haven Breeze
  • Strawberry Basil Hard Lemonade
  • Joia Spirit Greyhound
• Beer – $8.99
  • ACE Cider – Pineapple Hard Cider – 5% ABV
  • Highland Brewing – Mandarina IPA – 5% ABV / IBU 40

Libation Station #25

• Wine – $8.50
  • Prophecy – Rose
  • Prophecy – Pinot Grigio
  • Prophecy – Red Blend
  • Prophecy – Sauvignon Blanc
  • La Crema – Pinot Noir
  • La Crema – Chardonnay
• Beer – $8.99
  • Rekorderlig – Wild Berries Cider – 4.5% ABV
  • Rekorderlig – Strawberry-Lime Cider – 4.5% ABV
  • Sierra Nevada – Orta Vez with Lime & Agave Gose – 4.9% ABV / IBU 6

Libation Station #26

• Wine – $8.50
  • Villa Pozzi – Pinot Grigio
  • Villa Pozzi – Moscato
  • Kim Crawford – Sauvignon Blanc
  • Kim Crawford – Rose
• Beer – $8.99
  • Anderson Valley Brewing Co. – Framboise Rose Fose – 4.2% ABV / IBU 12
  • Lost Coast Brewery – Great White Wheat Ale – 4.8% ABV / IBU 15
  • Samuel Adams – New England IPA – 6.8% ABV / IBU 35
  • 21st Amendment Brewery – Brew Free or Die! IPA – 7% ABV / IBU 70
  • Six Ten Brewing – CBGB Berliner Weisse – 3.5% ABV

Libation Station #28

• Wine – $8.50
  • Bully Hill – Love My Goat Red Wine
  • Bully Hill – Sweet Walter White Wine
  • 14 Hands – Hot to Trot Red Blend
  • 14 Hands – Riesling
  • 14 Hands – Moscato
• Beer – $8.99
  • Angry Orchard – Rose Cider – 5.5% ABV
  • Kona Brewing Co. – Big Wave Golden Ale – 4.4% ABV / IBU 21

---

Peacock & VIP Bar (#18 & #19)

Located next to the concert area, the Peacock & VIP Bar serves up a variety of drinks and light snacks. The VIP Bar is exclusively available to those guests who have a VIP Seating package for that evening’s concert. The menu and pricing is the same at both the Peacock and VIP bar. Just like the other booths, a Sampler Lanyard can be used for the alcoholic drinks, or you can pay out of pocket.

• Beer – $8.99
  • Bell’s Brewery – Two Hearted Ale IPA – 7% ABV / IBU 55
  • Yuengling – Traditional American Amber Lager – 4.4% ABV
  • Heinekin International – Heinekin Import Lager – 5% ABV
  • Sierra Nevada – American Pale Ale – 5.6% ABV
  • Arrogant Brewing – Arroagant Bastard American Strong Ale – 7.2% ABV / IBU 100
  • Funky Buddha Brewery – Floridian Hefeweizen – 5.2% ABV / IBU 12
  • Big Storm Brewing Co. – Tropic Pressure Florida Ale – 4.4% ABV / IBU 17
  • Anheuser-Busch – Bud Light Lime-A-Rita – 8% ABV
  • Shocktop – Belgian White Wheat Ale – 5.2% ABV / IBU 10
• Cocktails – $8.50
  • Frozen Jack & Coke
  • Frozen Blue Vodka Lemonade
  • Joia Spirit Cosmopolitan
• Coca-Cola Beverages – $3.89
  • Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
• Glaceau SmartWater – $4.49
• Dasani – $3.49
• Chips – $3.49
• Cotton Candy – $4.99
• Popcorn – $4.99
• Carmel Corn – $4.99

---

Food Cabin Pairings & Drinks

In addition to all of the delicious dishes at each of the 13 food cabins, several offer wine, beer and/or cocktails that may pair well with the menu items. Each of the food cabins also feature the following Coca Cola brand beverages, bottled water, and beer choices:

For complete menus, pricing, and reviews of items we tried, be sure to check out our Food Guide as well. Only those food cabins with a featured alcoholic beverage are listed below.

Northern California (#6)

• Cocktail – Frozen Grape Berry Bramble – $8.50 – Monin Wild Grape Syrup mixed with Monin Wildberry Puree, Pineapple Juice & Fresh Lemon Sour

SoCal (#7)

• Wine – Prophecy, Pinot Noir – $8.50

NOLA Eats (#9)

• Cocktail – Hurricane – $8.50 – White & Dark Rum with Lime Juice, Orange Juice & Passion Fruit Juice

Tex Mex Cantina (#17)

• Beer – Corona Extra – $8.99 – Pale Lager ABV 4.6% / IBU 19.3

Tampa Tavern (#21)

• Wine – Blackberry Sangria – $8.50 – Freshly prepared Sangria made with Red Wine & Brandy
• Beer – Cigar City Jai Alai – $8.99 – IPA ABV 7.5% / IBU 70
• Beer – Brew Bus You’re My Boy, Blue! – $8.99 – Blueberry Wheat Ale ABV 5% / IBU 12

Southern Cuisine (#22)

• Cocktail – Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea – $8.99

New England Tavern (#27)

• Beer – Samuel Adams, Boston Lager – $8.99 – ABV 5% / IBU 30

Pacific Northwest (#29)

• Wine – Joel Gott, Pinot Gris – $8.50

Garden Gate Cafe (#31)

• Beer
  • Sierra Nevada – Hazy Little Thing IPA
  • 3 Daughters – Rose Cider
  • Swamp Head – Stumpknocker Pale Ale
  • Tampa Bay Brewing Company – Reef Donkey Pale Ale
  • Big Top – Hawaiian Lion Coconut Coffee Porter
  • Golden Road – Mango Cart Wheat Ale

---

Specialty Tastings

In addition to all the individual wine, beer and cocktail options at all the different cabins, there are also five additional specialty tasting bars scattered around the festival area. Each individual tasting is $27.99. There are also combo package options available if you’d like to try more than one tasting. Guests can choose from packages for two ($39.99) or four ($59.99) tastings.

Sparkling Wine Tasting

The Sparkling Wine Tasting is located at the booth named Bubbly, just outside of Xcursions gift shop near the entrance to the festival walkway. Here you can sample Le Grand Noir Brut Reserve, J Vineyards & Winery California Cuvee, Chic Rose Cava, and Rosa Regale.

Ice Wine Tasting

One of the new tastings this year, guests will find the Ice Wine booth along the main festival walkway heading towards Gwazi Field. There are four wines to sample at this tasting booth.

Infused Vodka Tasting

Six different flavor infused varieties of vodka from Tampa based Florida Cane Distillery are available in a new tasting experience at this year’s event. Guests can choose from vanilla, orange, pineapple, strawberry, jalapeno, or key lime & lemon. Look for the tasting inside the 60th Celebration Store on the corner across from the Vivi’s Kitchen and Tampa Tavern booths. A tasting includes your choice of four varieties, each a 1/2 ounce pour.

Bourbon Tasting

Four different bourbons are available at the tasting booth along the pathway near the kangaroo habitat. Cards for each of the different bourbons tells you a little bit about the flavors you should expect to taste from each variety.

Tequila Tasting

Like the bourbon tasting nearby, there are four tequila tastings, and cards on the counter explain the flavor profile and distillery process for each variety.

---

Tips

• Get a sampler lanyard. If you’re planning on eating or drinking more than a handful of items, get a lanyard, especially if you’ll be visiting multiple times during the festival. Stick to the higher price items, and you’ll be saving a good chunk of change versus buying each item separately. Plus, no need to keep digging in your pocket or purse for money or a credit card at each booth.
• Ask for a taste. If you’re not sure if you’d like a particular wine, cocktail or beer at the Libation Stations, you may be able to get a small sample at no charge so you can make the right decision. This may not always be available, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re on the fence about a particular drink.
• Pace yourself. With so many alcoholic options readily available, it’s easy to overindulge. Remember to drink plenty of water (especially if it’s hot out) and enjoy some of the food options in between drinks. And most importantly – don’t drink & drive!
• See our other guides. For even more information and tips, check out our overall Festival Guide and our Food Guide with menus, prices, and reviews of items we’ve tried.

---

If You Go…

5th Annual Food & Wine Festival
at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Saturdays & Sundays from March 16 through April 28, plus Friday April 19
Noon to close

Don’t miss our other Food & Wine guides:

Festival Guide  —  Food Guide  —  Concert Guide

---

Join in the conversation online by using #CorksAndCoasters. For the latest on Busch Gardens Tampa and other theme parks, attractions and more across the region, be sure to follow Touring Central Florida on twitter @TourCentralFL, @androckb, @Emmet_TCF, @JacobTouringCe1, and give our facebook page a like.