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Pints Of Science Offers Informative, Engaging Lecture Series In Tampa

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 13:51 GMT by Patch
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“Pints Science” Brings the Cosmos, Chemistry, and Climate to the Taproom – Tampa’s New Way to Learn

When you think of a night out in Tampa, you probably picture the sun‑blasted decks of Clearwater or the neon‑lit buzz of a downtown bar. What you’re unlikely to imagine is a science lecture that takes place amid the clink of pint glasses and the aroma of craft beer. That’s the premise of Pints Science, a fresh lecture series launched this year by a coalition of local scientists, educators, and craft‑brew enthusiasts that has already won the hearts of Tampa’s curious crowd.

The Birth of a Brew‑and‑Learn Movement

The idea for Pints Science germinated at the University of South Florida (USF) in 2023. Dr. Karen Li, an associate professor of physics and a self‑declared “beer connoisseur,” teamed up with Brewtown Taproom in South Tampa. “We wanted to break down the walls between academic research and everyday life,” Li told Patch. “People come to a bar to unwind, and we wanted to give them a reason to stay a little longer for a thought‑provoking conversation.”

The project is supported by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Association and a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Outreach Initiative. The series is officially organized by the Tampa Science Outreach Alliance (TSOA), a nonprofit that partners with local universities, museums, and businesses to host public science events.

Format, Frequency, and Venue

Pints Science meets every first Thursday of the month at Brewtown Taproom, a 450‑seat venue that has been a staple of South Tampa’s nightlife since 2011. The format is intentionally relaxed: a 30‑minute lecture followed by a 15‑minute Q&A, all delivered in layman’s terms. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own beer or pick up a featured “Pint of the Night” at the bar—most of which is sourced from local micro‑breweries such as Petersburg Brewing Co. and Cypress Creek Alehouse.

To keep the atmosphere intimate, each session limits attendance to 120 people. The taproom’s acoustics and the presence of an open bar allow the crowd to focus on the speaker without the usual clatter of a crowded event.

Topics That Span the Spectrum

Since its first meeting in March, Pints Science has covered a broad range of subjects. The inaugural lecture, “The Physics of Beer: From Fermentation to Foam,” was delivered by Dr. Li herself, who broke down how yeast metabolism releases CO₂ that creates the signature head on a pint. In May, the series explored astrobiology with Dr. Miguel Hernandez from the University of Tampa, who explained how extremophiles on Earth inform the search for life on Mars.

Recent talks have included:

• “Climate Change in the Tropics” – Dr. Samantha Reyes from the College of Environmental Studies, discussing sea‑level rise and its impact on Gulf‑Coast communities.
• “The Genetics of Flavor” – a collaboration with the Florida State University School of Food Science that examines how genetics influences taste preferences.
• “Quantum Computing for Beginners” – a session by an industry partner from IBM’s Tampa research lab, which used everyday analogies to demystify qubits.

These topics illustrate the series’ commitment to both breadth and depth, ensuring that attendees leave with a new perspective on familiar phenomena.

A Stellar Lineup of Speakers

The diversity of speakers is a key draw. In addition to faculty from local universities, the series has invited industry experts, NASA personnel, and even a local high‑school physics teacher who has built her own small radio telescope. The 2025 lineup, announced at the June event, features:

• Dr. Anika Patel, an astrophysicist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, on “The Search for Exoplanets.”
• James “Jim” O’Connor, a chemical engineer at a Tampa biotech firm, who will discuss “Biotechnology in Everyday Life.”
• Chef Luis Ortega, a local culinary expert, who will tie in the science of flavor with fermentation science.

“Having such a range of voices allows us to connect science to people’s everyday experiences,” said Brewtown Taproom’s owner, Ellen Morales. “If a speaker is too academic, people may feel alienated. But a chef or an engineer can bridge that gap beautifully.”

Community Impact and Reception

Since its launch, Pints Science has attracted a growing, diverse audience. According to TSOA’s attendance records, the average turnout has risen from 60 people in March to 105 in August. The series also runs a “Junior Pints” program, inviting high‑school students with a fee waiver to attend a special session on the physics of beer, complete with a hands‑on foam‑tasting activity.

Patrons have shared their enthusiasm on social media, with the hashtag #PintsScience trending in the Tampa Bay area. Many praise the series for “making science feel less intimidating” and for “providing a unique setting where you can learn and drink responsibly.”

The local university’s Office of Public Engagement reports that the series has increased outreach opportunities for graduate students, who now get to present to non‑academic audiences as part of their thesis defenses.

Funding, Partnerships, and Sustainability

The series is largely funded by a mix of public grants (the NSF’s Outreach Initiative and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Association) and private sponsorships. Brewtown Taproom provides a discount on drinks for attendees and a portion of its bar revenue is allocated to cover speaker honorariums. Several local businesses—South Tampa Library, Tampa Museum of Science, and Cypress Creek Alehouse—have offered promotional support in exchange for branded signage.

To keep costs down, the organizers have adopted a “pay‑what‑you‑can” model for entry fees, with a small donation encouraged at the end of each session. A portion of the proceeds goes toward scholarships for students pursuing STEM degrees at USF and the University of Tampa.

Looking Ahead

As the series enters its second year, Pints Science plans to expand beyond Brewtown Taproom. “We’re exploring pop‑up events at the Tampa Convention Center and even a mobile lab that can travel to community centers,” said TSOA’s director, Jamal Carter. The team also hopes to launch a Podcast—“Pints & Ponderings”—that features recorded lectures and in‑depth interviews with the speakers.

Dr. Li remains optimistic: “If we can get people to stay for 45 minutes, listen to a scientist talk about the universe, and finish the night with a satisfying pint, we’ve made science accessible. And that’s the goal of Pints Science.”

Bottom Line

Pints Science has successfully fused the conviviality of a taproom with the rigor of scholarly discourse. By offering engaging lectures that range from the macro—cosmic exploration—to the micro—beer fermentation—and pairing them with a local beer culture, the series creates a unique learning environment. For Tampa residents and visitors alike, the next Friday night could be a pint and a conversation that leaves you looking at the world through a new lens. If you’re in the city this fall, keep an eye on Brewtown Taproom’s calendar for the next Pints Science event—because who says you can’t learn about the stars while enjoying a craft brew?