Holiday Cheer at the Pier, or A Visit from Tampa Bay Beer Week

‘Twas two weeks before Christmas, and all ‘cross the Bay
All the beer geeks were wondering: “Just where can we play?”
The growlers all sat on the counter to dry,
Recently emptied, and turned to the sky

The brewers were covered in wet hops and yeast,
Their work never done, no not in the least.
Distributors were scrambling with the holiday slam,
And retailers stocking, how much beer can they cram?!

When out by the Pier (or where it used to stand),
Came the sounds of corks popping, and a great one man band.
So off to downtown, I Uber’d a ride,
It was just what we needed for this year’s Yuletide.

The moon on the water, near the lovely Vinoy
I brought food to donate, and an unopened toy.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But the great folks of Beer Week, pouring great beer.

I told my young driver, “Thanks, this is my stop.”
And she pulled up in front, at the the ol’ Hops and Props.
I gave her five stars, then walked in to the scene,
Saw the usual suspects, the whole gosh-darn team!

“Hey, Lovett! Hey, Fairchild! Veronica and Jess!
Hi, Casey! (Dammit Barris, you’re making a mess!)
And Nordquist and Gabby, and Barry Elwonger,
And Jeromy Dana!” (This list just gets longer!)

I walked to the tent where the liquid was pouring,
I knew all the taps would be anything but boring.
With delicious beer flowing from all ’round the world,
I started my tasting, ’round the festival I whirled.

With Barley Mow’s Tinsel, then Creatures from Proof
A bottle of Fantome that was just through the roof.
I stopped by a food truck from south of the border,
Then washed it all down with Charapa Spiced Porter.

The beer-how it bubbled! It’s color so merry!
I sampled the JDUB’s Saison with cranberry!
I sipped on Goliath from 81Bay Brewing,
Then Hopquest; Tomoka, they know what they’re doing.

A wee pour of Phruitcake, my tastebuds did hum
And Peppermint Bark Stout, from old Crooked Thumb
The brews were amazing, there’s simply no doubt
I rounded it off with a Cryptid Imp Stout.

I strolled inside next, it was something to see
A whole special lineup, just for VIPs.
There was Corsendonk Christmas, and that Brunicorn,
And Cigar City bottles; it was straight up beer porn!

But the best thing of all, though the beer was all grand,
Was the knowledge that we all were lending a hand,
There are folks in our town that are having it tough,
And trying to have Christmas, though things are rough.

To keep people safe, we help out The Spring,
’cause Christmas means hope, and lots of loving.
Affordable Christmas gives families a chance
to buy presents for children in hard circumstance.

We all love our beer, but its the people that matter,
In a world that feels like it’s as mad as a hatter.
So join us as we, the purveyors of beer,
Raise a glass at the Holiday Cheer at the Pier!

(Buy your tickets online, you’ll be on the list!
Because this is one party you won’t want to miss.
VIP’s even better, you’ll get so much more
With food and the inside and special tap pours!)

~ by Sean Nordquist on December 6, 2016.