Ep. 46: Talking Halfway There & Cask Fest with Sean Nordquist of TBBW and TBBA

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Tampa Bay's beer scene continues to evolve in remarkable ways, with the Halfway There Beer Festival marking its 11th year and an exciting new Cask Festival joining the calendar. Sean Nordquist of the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance shares the vision behind both events, detailing how they showcase the region's maturing craft beer community.

Halfway There transforms the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum each August into an air-conditioned beer lover's paradise. This year features a creative new layout with brewery alcoves previewing major Tampa Bay Beer Week events, creating a festival-within-a-festival experience. Most exciting is the dedicated Belgian beer section, highlighting the classic imports that shaped Tampa's beer culture before being somewhat overshadowed by the local craft explosion.

"I was drinking a Chimay White recently and had forgotten how incredible this beer is," Nordquist shares, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with brewing heritage. The festival balances these classics alongside innovative offerings from Tampa Bay's thriving brewery scene, all with presenting sponsor Visit St. Pete/Clearwater showcasing the region's beer tourism appeal.

October brings something entirely new with the first-ever Tampa Bay Cask Festival at Yuengling Brewery. This outdoor evening event celebrates the unique experience of traditional cask-conditioned ales - what Nordquist describes as "living beer" with distinctive flavors and mouthfeel. Approximately 30 breweries will participate, with Yuengling sending special casks from their Pottsville brewery. The festival will feature live Celtic music, traditional pub fare like scotch eggs, and beer-stein shaped pretzels to complement the diverse cask offerings.

What makes this festival particularly special is the variety of approaches - from authentic English-style mild and brown ales to experimental craft styles like double IPAs conditioned in casks. "It's a totally different sensory experience," explains Nordquist, noting that these lower-alcohol, subtle beers create the perfect atmosphere for gathering with friends.

Don't miss these celebrations of Tampa Bay's beer culture! Tickets for both events are available through tampabaybeerweek.com, but capacity is limited to around 800 people for each festival, so early purchase is recommended for these showcase events highlighting the region's world-class beer community.