Tampa Times: Beer Week "The Best of the Belgians!"

I had no idea I would have so much fun at the

Independent Bar's Cheers to Belgian Beers! event Tuesday night, where distributors and brewery representatives handed out samples of Belgian beers for $1.50 a pop.

Brewers may have the sexiest job, but distributors and brewery reps need some love, too. After Tuesday night's event, I have a real appreciation for them.

As the sun set behind the Independent's converted garage on Florida Avenue, the reps lined up their Belgian beers, which included many Trappist offerings. That means monks are making them, as they have for centuries. And it usually means they're good.

A few beers being served up Tuesday are brand new to the United States, including a particular offering from Brewery Wolf, which I was told made its U.S. debut at the Independent.

Read the original story here!

UrbanSpoon.com

Top 10 Tampa restaurants to try during the RNC - TicketSarasota.com

"You won't find a three-course tasting menu at The Independent, unless you count a few small plates and three different craft brews. What you will find is an exceptional array of serious beer, a relaxed and casual neighborhood atmosphere, and pub fare that has no right to be as good as it is. Whether it's grilled cheese or bratwurst, every dish has more going on than you'd first expect, from poppy seed vinaigrette to onion jam -- all made in-house."

The Independent: Quality Coffee & Eclectic Charm - Examiner.com

Thanks to Melissa Russell of Examiner.com for this nice feature! 

Owner Veronica Vellines opened the bar in October 2009 after seeing the success the original bar had in downtown St. Petersburg. A few months later she opened the café. Vellines relies on the quality of her products to bring in the crowd by serving vintage, rare and seasonal beers as well as various wines. When choosing what coffee and espresso to serve, she decided on the local brew Kahwa Coffee Roasting, a roasting company in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The espresso has a smooth finish and compliments the fresh pastries the Independent prepares. The drink menu offers lattes of various varieties as well as teas. The café is also known for their tasty fare from Bavarian pretzels, veggie burgers, a gourmet cheese platter and grilled beer bratwurst. Their most popular menu item is a grilled cheese sandwich made with Gouda and spiced pears.  

Continue reading on Examiner.com Urban cafe serves more than just coffee - Tampa Bay Barista | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/barista-in-tampa-bay/urban-cafe-serves-more-than-just-coffee?cid=db_articles#ixzz1qtcbsMPZ

TBO.com / Tampa Tribune: 12 tastes for 2012 - the Independent Bar Tampa's Grilled Cheese

By JEFF HOUCK | The Tampa Tribune 
Published: December 28, 2011

#6. "Indie" grilled cheese sandwich at The Independent Bar and Café in Tampa. One of the area's great nighttime hangout spots, the Independent makes its sandwich with pears sautéed in honey and creamy gouda that oozes from between slices of pressed rye bread. So intoxicating is the creamy flavor, you may want to call a cab for the ride home.

The Indie Grilled Cheese / Independent Bar Tampa Menu Item.