Wednesday 14th of April 2010 03:10:16 PM

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This is a nice little brewpub tucked in Ybor City.

Beer selection was pretty standard (but good!) for a brewpub, there didn't happen to be any seasonals on tap the day I visited. They had everything from a light Kolsch to a Imperial Stout on tap, though.

I will say that the Hefe I had tasted a bit off but the rest of the beers tasted good. I do remember an Imperial Stout that was very good.

I talked to the brewer for a few minutes, and he offered me a sample of a Jack Daniels barrel aged beer, an Old Ale. It was good, but tasted VERY much of JD.

As for the food, it was hit or miss. I had a club sandwhich that was excellent. My wife had a Cuban which wasn't good at all (disappointing since we were in a heavily Cuban neighborhood.)

Overall, I wouldn't mind visiting again and I'm grateful for a brewpub in Tampa that's worth going to!

Saturday 10th of January 2009 11:25:58 PM

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Located in Ybor City. A friend explained that this is pretty much the night lift sector of Tampa, along with a historic area with a lot of Spanish culture. The place itself is located next to a movie theater. There is random street parking, but nothing along 8th street, at least close to the restaurant. There are parking garages in the area. There is a light train, but I don't know where it goes or what it connects to (didn't use it).

There is an outside beer patio with a lot of bar seats. Being Tampa, I'm sure this area is packed since the weather is good year round, except when the occasional thunderstorm passes by. There is also liquor. The indoors is more like your typical brewpub with a long bar with about a dozen seats, and plenty of booth seating. There are some billiards toward the back. I didn't notice any TVs, though I didn't look (there could have been one right on the bar!).

The selection is about average for a brewpub, with 7 or 8 beers on tap with a good mix (stouts, porters, amber and pale ales, hoppy IPAs and Barleywines). One stout is on nitro-tap. There are also casks available, but those are hooked up on Thursdays and last into the weekend. The price seemed reasonable at $5 a pint.

If you're in Ybor City this is probably one of the better beer stops. A nice place to go as well if you're downtown. Recommended.

Sunday 6th of April 2008 01:02:18 PM

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I agree with the other reviewers. This brewpub is a real treat in craft brew deprived FL. The pub description is accurate and we were comfortable enough to visit twice on the same day. The tap list was down a bit because the cask ran out so there were only 8 to choose from. I tried several and particularly liked the Iron Rat Stout and Jack the Quaffer Porter. I had the Moosekiller Barleywine last and probably would have liked anything by then. They do have 8 guest taps but I didn't find the need to try them. They were mostly upscale imports and not moving well. I tried to convince them to feature a few regional crafts instead. There is valet parking out back and a street car stops right out front.

Monday 24th of March 2008 02:15:29 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

I was at Tampa Bay Brewing Co. on Sat. 3/22/08. Great brewpub atmosphere, long, nice looking bar. The bartenders were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. There were nine beers on reg. tap plus one on a beer engine (cask conditioned).

Let me start by saying I was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED by quality and styles of the beers they brew here.

I got a 10 beer sample tray and since I sitting at the bar I asked to have only 3 beers at a time brought out.

All beers where brewed true to the style they represented. I loved the beer here! Thick creamy heads, good head retention (except for the Belguim Trippel), nice lacing, pleasant aromas, descent carbonation. They seemed to have a real affection for cascade hops here(my favorite) many of the brews have some casacade addition to them (which is fine by me).

Okay let me briefly share some personal highs and lows.

Low-
on cask was a smoked brown ale and since I am not a fan of rauchbier. I was disapointed that their only hand pump had a beer I didn't care for.

Highs-
Beligian Trippel IPA - 9.7% abv.
Intense complex flavor, aroma, lacked some carbonation, thin head, but this beer really stood out from the crowd. (my favorite)

Other noteables: the IPA and Pale Ales were very drinkable and highly recommended.

The London Porter was EXCELLENT. Creamy, hints of coffee, great mouthfeel.The Oatmeal Stout was also very good.

I was surprised to see a barleywine being served, and it was the "real deal."

Honestly, there isn't a bad beer in this place. I was so impressed that I bought a T-Shirt and a TBBC Pint Glass as souvenirs.

BTW
The food is excellent too! (great burgers and fries)

Monday 24th of September 2007 04:33:51 PM

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I was in Tampa of work and stayed at the Hyatt which is about a block from their brewpub. I was psyched when my customers recommended that we have our business dinner here.

I liked the layout of this pub. There is a comfortable patio in front that has seating for about 50. It has its own small bar, so no long waits for the server to go into the bar for beer.

The main room is spacious with very high ceilings. The tanks are on display and the room is nicely decorated. The bar proper seats about 30 and I like how they have the Mug Club's mugs on display. Very clean bathrooms with cool blue sinks. The have table & booth seating for about 100 patrons.

The atmosphere is friendly. I had a few conversations with some regulars and even spent 10 minutes talking to the owner. He was great to chat with and you can tell he has a passion for both the beer and the food side of the business. I really like to see the owner working the crowd like he was. Our waitress was friendly, and helpful without hovering.

The food was very good. I would say they aspire to more than pub grub and they succeed. The salsa was freshly made, the fish was fresh and the sides tasty.

They have ten beers on tap and also offer a cask option. The had a Belgian Triple on cask during my visit which the waitress gave me a sample of.

I had a tasty amber, a nice APA and a juicy IPA. All the beers would rate better than average. I hope to be able to sample a few more next visit. Several of their beers have won regional awards.

I’m very glad I had the opportunity to stop by. I can heartily recommend this friendly gem!