ICYMI: Tampa’s Beer Scene Up For National Honors

TAMPA, FL — Just in time for the start of Tampa Bay Beer Week, Tampa is up for national honors in a USA Today poll that seeks to find the best local beer scene in the country.

Local craft brewers have managed to make quite a name for Tampa, USA Today notes in its poll. Cigar City Brewery has, in fact, gained national renowned with other up-and-comers like Angry Chair, Tampa Bay Brewing Company and Coppertail Brewing Company all lending to the scene, the publication notes.

Local beer aficionados who would like to see Tampa win top honors can vote on the USA Today poll once daily through noon on March 13. As of Tuesday morning, the city was ninth out of 20 towns nominated in the poll. Grand Rapids, Michigan, held first-place ranking followed by Asheville, North Carolina, in second.

The time of the USA Today poll fits perfectly with this week's launch of Tampa Bay Beer Week. The event, which runs March 4-12, has been an annual tradition since 2012. It’s meant to “celebrate Tampa Bay beer culture and showcase the area as an emerging and vibrant craft and specialty beer destination," according to its website.

While the USA Today poll calls out Tampa-specific breweries, Beer Week celebrates the many craft brewers found throughout the region. Indeed, Beer Week events have been announced at breweries and bars throughout the area, including Tampa, Land O’ Lakes, Safety Harbor, Brandon, Dunedin, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among others.

To find out more about Tampa Bay Beer Week and participating venues and breweries, visit its website.

To vote for Tampa in the USA Today poll, visit the news site online. Remember, supporters can vote once daily through noon on March 13 to help Tampa win.

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