On March 31st, 1959, Busch Gardens opened up in Tampa and it was known for four things. 1. There was an admission-free Hospitality Facility for Anheuser-Busch. 2. There was a beautiful bird gardens which people loved to see. 3. They had the infamous “Stairway to Heaven” which was an escalator that took guests to the top of the brewery that existed back than. 4. There was FREE BEER in the form of beer samplings. After the sale of Anheuser-Busch to Inbev in 2008 resulted in the flow of free beer to stop in 2009. It was a sad day.

Almost a decade later the beer flows again for the Summer of 2018 and free beer samples has returned to Busch Gardens. From May 1 though August 5 guests can relive the parks history by once again visiting the hospitality house (now called the Garden Gate Cafe) and receive two complimentary beers per visit to Busch Gardens Tampa.

Every two weeks a new featured beer will be presented for the guests with Corona starting the event in time for Cinco De Mayo. Other beers that will be rotated include Bud Light, Founder’s All Day IPA, M.I.A 305, Miller Lite, Shock Top, and Yeungling.

To further emphasize #BeerIsBack Busch Gardens has introduced the Busch Gardens Brew Club at the Serengeti Overlook Pub and Restaurant. Here you can purchase a stein that is personally yours. The stein has a home spot on display for all to see and whenever you visit, you can sign out your stein and fill it with beer for only $5.00. Mayor Buckhorn was the first to get a stein in the #1 spot, mine is the 27th. There will be over 20 rotating on-tap brews including seasonal and craft beers.

The traditions of Busch Gardens and beer is back and will be further celebrated with the all-new Bier Fest each weekend from Aug 25th through September 16th.

What more reason to come to Busch Gardens than for the reason it was all started over 50 years ago by Anheuser-Busch. BEER!!!!!!   So, #BeerIsBack.

David “Thrills”
The Thrill Freak 

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. Be sure to follow me on twitter @TheThrillfreak for live tweets, Snapchat @thethrillfreak for that special exciting memory, and  instagram @thrillfreak just or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns. Logos are property of Busch Gardens. Pictures are the property of Busch Gardens used with permission or David “Thrills.”