We all remember that brewery here in Tampa owned by Anheuser Busch smack dab in the middle of Busch Gardens?  Where you can take a tour of the brewery up that huge escalator and enjoy a couple of samples after wards. Even better, we all remember beer school, held in a room behind the Garden Gate Cafe. The ultimate beer experience from my memories of Busch Gardens 20+ years back. Some of that nostalgia returns though with it’s second year of Bier Fest. 

Once again we can get our 2 free samples from the Garden Gate Cafe or the Serengeti Overlook Cafe (the bar across from it really). Once again we get to feel the ambience of the brewery in the park by sitting there drinking a beer as we watch the new roller coaster getting built over the spot where it used to be. Once again the name Busch gardens has its meaning to the roots of it’s name and Busch Gardens welcomes Bier Fest. 

Bier Fest is a festival within the park that is hosting over 40 breweries, half of them from Florida. A festival with pub-based food from pretzel sticks with a beer cheese dip to a schnitzelwich slider. There really is food for everyone here. Wanna try them all, Busch Gardens has even come up with a sampler to allow you to taste and try various beers and food to find just the one you really want. In it’s second year it is obvious Bier Fest is full steam ahead and popular with the guests and sure to be a mainstay for years to come.

The festival is included with park admission, even though the drinks and food are not. So able to take on the thrills of Tigris and enjoy the thrills on tap after wards. Also, do not forget your PBR over chocolate soft serve ice cream to combat the heat with. What more can one offer?  Well, over at the Serengeti Outlook Cafe you can become a member of the Brew Club and enjoy $2.60 craft beers all year long, but that is just icing on the cake. 

There is only two weekends left of Bier Fest and it is something I would highly recommend if a connoisseur of beer or unique pub fare. If not, THERE IS TIGRIS!!!!!  What more could you want from Busch Gardens. Free Beer. Discounted beer. Over 100 beers. WOW, i attended and really enjoyed the atmosphere and my pass member special punch card for a delightful Sunday afternoon. You should also.

Bier Fest is open on Saturday and Sunday and Labor Day Monday. Make sure you relax from the doldrums of everyday activities and experience this occasion that brings you back to the heart of what Busch Gardens was all about when it began.