Less than a year from celebrating its 20th anniversary, New World Brewery is a beloved mainstay in Tampa’s scene. The indoor-outdoor venue spent a short period of its infancy as a microbrewery in 1995, when owner Steve Bird and former partner Greg Karalis thought they’d capitalize on the homebrew craze. But the import-friendly, craft brew-specializin’ spot, with its found art, sentimental tributes, foosball table, free jukebox and beer garden, found its own homey identity and continues to evolve with the local scene.
One of its most popular offerings over the past couple of years — the BBQ Wednesday Acoustic Series — keeps New World’s smoker smokin’ far past its usual lunchtime service, with barbecue chicken and ribs available into the evening paired with live music by locals and the occasional touring act. Musicians perform unplugged, of course. Expect rockers and iconoclasts with rousing numbers that don’t disturb your enjoyment of NWB’s fall-off-the-bone carnivorosities. Dogs are welcome on the patio, and if your pup is well-behaved (or you have a hyper puppy that needs a distraction, ahem), manager Dean Rosenberger might offer your companion a pork shoulder bone as a reward.
New World Breweryis located at 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City; 813-248-4969.
Upcoming performances at the BBQ Wednesday Acoustic Series: Mike McCarthy (8/6); Oxford Noland (8/13); Russ Van Cleave (8/20); DER (8/27). For a complete rundown of performances at New World, visit newworldbrewery.net.