The Tastiest Festival of the Summer: Bier Fest Brews & BBQ

As summer winds down, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay once again becomes the ultimate destination for craft beer lovers, barbecue enthusiasts, and live music fans. Bier Fest Brews & BBQ combines a food festival with all the excitement of one of Florida's most popular theme parks, giving visitors the chance to sample dozens of new flavors, enjoy live performances, and ride world-class roller coasters – all in a single day.

In 2026, the festival runs on select dates from July 25 through September 7.

The heart of Bier Fest is its impressive craft beer selection. Guests can sample brews from dozens of breweries, including well-known national brands as well as local Florida craft breweries showcasing seasonal and limited-release beers.

Even if beer isn't your drink of choice, the festival's food lineup is reason enough to visit. Each year, Busch Gardens creates a special menu featuring a wide variety of barbecue favorites, smoked meats, sausages, burgers, flavorful sides, and creative desserts. Many of these dishes are developed exclusively for Bier Fest and are only available during the festival.

This year, visitors can choose from more than 25 food items and 75 beverages, with a menu inspired not only by classic American barbecue but also by flavors from around the world. Every festival weekend also features 30-40 craft beers from more than 40 breweries, including many local Florida favorites.

Some of this year's standout menu items include:

• Bratwurst with onion-mustard relish and Currywurst with potato croquettes – classic German favorites that pay tribute to Oktoberfest traditions.

• BBQ Fire Rub Chicken Legs and Smoked Turkey with Chipotle Blackberry Jam – perfect for fans of traditional American barbecue with bold, unexpected flavors.

• Mango Jerk Chicken Wings with coconut rice – a Caribbean-inspired dish that balances spicy jerk seasoning with sweet mango.

• Char Siu Buns, Szechuan Chicken Skewers, and Korean BBQ Pork Wings – an Asian-inspired selection that has become one of the festival's biggest crowd-pleasers.

• A bison slider, smoked brisket mac and cheese served in a waffle cone, and grilled avocado topped with brisket – some of the most creative additions to this year's menu.

• Root Beer Ribs – pork ribs glazed with a root beer-based sauce, offering a unique blend of sweet and smoky flavors.

Dessert lovers won't be disappointed either. The menu ranges from classic caramel flan and pecan tart to creative beer floats, where beer is paired with vanilla ice cream for one of the festival's most memorable sweet treats.

If you plan to sample multiple beers and food items, consider purchasing a Sampler Lanyard. These tasting passes typically allow guests to redeem several food and beverage selections at a better value than buying each item individually.

If rides are your main priority, a regular Busch Gardens admission ticket is all you need. Festival food and drinks can be purchased separately throughout the event.

Live entertainment is another highlight of Bier Fest. Throughout the festival, local musicians and guest bands perform across the park, with a lineup featuring rock, country, pop, and today's biggest hits. The live music creates the perfect backdrop for a relaxing summer evening.

Concerts are included with park admission, making it easy to take a break between tastings, enjoy a live performance, or head back out for another roller coaster ride.

Unlike many food festivals, Bier Fest isn't held at a separate venue – it's fully integrated into Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Throughout the day, guests can alternate between tasting craft beers and barbecue, riding thrilling coasters, visiting the park's animal habitats, watching live shows, and exploring everything else the park has to offer.

That combination of outstanding food, craft beer, live entertainment, and world-class attractions is what makes Bier Fest one of Tampa Bay's signature end-of-summer events – and a favorite for both locals and visitors looking to make the most of a single day.