Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announces the return of Bier Fest, featuring over 40 local and international breweries, 40 NEW brews to try, NEW pub-inspired fare, and live entertainment.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been pouring out the fun all year with complimentary beer samples as a part of the park’s 60th Anniversary Celebration. Samples will continue to pour out at Garden Gate Café in the heart of the festival footpath throughout Bier Fest, each weekend from August 17 through September 8, including Labor Day. Beer connoisseurs can create the perfect pairing with delicious pub food favorites and enjoy live music from local acts.
From Florida’s finest craft brews to interesting international delights, park guests can enjoy local favorites and explore new flavors throughout the festival plaza. New to the festival this year, guests can toast to the end of summer with seasonal flavors like pumpkin and fruity ciders, including gluten-free options.
Bier Fest highlights more than 20 Florida based breweries and over a dozen Tampa Bay favorites, including:
- 3 Daughters Brewing
- Barrel of Monks Brewing
- Big Storm Brewing
- Big Top Brewing Co.
- Brew Hub
- Central 28 Beer
- Cigar City Brewing
- Coppertail Brewing Co.
- Crooked Thumb Brewery
- Dunedin House of Beer
- Escape Brewing Company
- Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
- Fort Myers Brewing Co.
- Green Bench Brewing Co.
- J.Wakefield Brewing
- M.I.A Beer Company
- Orange Blossom Trail Brewing Co.
- Pierced Ciderworks
- Sailfish Brewing Co.
- Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
- Two Henrys Brewing Co.
- Veza Sur Brewery
- Walking Tree Brewery
All-new culinary creations include tacos, melts, sliders and other hand-held bites:
Try the reimagined schnitzelwich slider, Busch Gardens’ take on schnitzel served on a pretzel roll with Swiss cheese and sweet and savory, maple-bacon honey mustard.
Indulge in the sweet grilled cheesecake melt, served on mouthwatering pound cake with sweet cream filling, grilled and topped with guava sauce at the all-new Melted Munchies cabin.
Grab a quick bite of sweet potato fries served with marshmallow dipping sauce or a returning pub favorite, fried pretzel sticks with beer cheese dipping sauce.
Cool off with all-new floats featuring unique combinations like the Hard Coffee Float- Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Coffee served over chocolate soft serve ice cream and Rosé Float created with Astoria sparkling rosé moscato over vanilla ice cream.
The best way to enjoy the flavors of the festival is with the purchase of a Bier Fest Sampler Lanyard, starting at only $29.99. Samplers allow a choice of any five or ten food or beverage samples throughout the festival. Pass Members get an exclusive offer: 12-items for the same price as a 10-item Sampler – or two extra samples for FREE!
Bier Fest is included with park admission, including year-round admission with a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Annual Pass or Fun Card. Food and beverage is not included with park admission and is available for an additional fee. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
We’ll have live coverage from the event this weekend (follow our social media channels below), and a full review on our site next week. In the meantime, you can check out our in depth review of last year’s event to get an idea what Bier Fest at Busch Gardens Tampa is all about.
Join in the conversation online with #ThrillsOnTap. 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 @androckb, @JacobTouringCe1, @TourCentralFL, and give our facebook page a like.