A medium-shot, indoor photograph of two volunteers smiling at the camera while working a booth at the Bolts Brew Fest at Amalie Arena. On the left, a person is wearing a gray 'Bolts Brew Fest 2025' t-shirt, a dark gray beanie, and a white name tag that reads 'Steve.' They are holding a blue aluminum beer can in their right hand. On the right, a person with long, wavy brown hair is wearing a matching gray event t-shirt, black gloves, and light-colored jeans. They are also holding a blue aluminum beer can. Behind them is a large, light-blue vintage-style van, which serves as the backdrop for their station, featuring a 'CLTAMPA.COM' logo sign on top.Volunteers at Bolts Brew Fest at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 1, 2026. Credit: Nick Cardello / Creative Loafing Tampa bAy

There’s nothing much better than cold-air conditioning during the Florida summer, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have always found a way to level up while saying “hold my beer.”

Bolts Brew Fest returns in July for its ninth year inside the hockey rink now known as Benchmark International Arena.

Seasoned Bolts Brew Fest know the craft beer getdown as the perfect way to spend the offseason (we’re watching the Cup final with contempt, too). Per usual, Tampa Bay’s best craft brewers will take over the ice-level, surrounding concourse, and VIP areas to serve not just beer, but ciders, seltzers, spirits from local distilleries, canned cocktails, and N/A beverages, too.

Close to six dozen local, national and international brands and breweries participate every year.

ThunderBug will also be there along with shotskis, locker room tours for VIP ticketholders, games, photos, the Oktoberfest Stein-holding competition, the Kombi keg vintage VW beer van, and more.

Tickets for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Bolts Brew Fest happening Saturday, July 25 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa are available now and start at $40.

VIP tickets include early access to Bolts Brew Fest (5 p.m.-6 p.m.) along with a lounge with VIP-exclusive beer, food, locker room tour, and BOGO tickets to a Tampa Bay Lightning preseason game (while supplies last).

Because you don’t have to get fucked up to have fun, designated driver tickets are also available at a discounted rate.

A list of samples available at the 2026 Bolts Brew Fest is coming soon at boltsbrewfest.com.

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This article appears in June 11 – 17, 2026.

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