TAMPA, Fla. — Welcome to 9 Questions with…, an exclusive Spectrum Bay News 9 feature in which we get to know some of the Bay area’s movers and shakers a little better. It could be a politician, an artist, a first responder, a bartender—just about anyone, really. This week, we spoke with Kent Bailey, founder of Ybor City’s lauded Coppertail Brewing. Is there someone you’d like to answer 9 Questions? Let us know!

Are you a Tampa Bay native? If not, where are you from?

I was not born in Tampa but I got here as soon as I realized my mistake! I grew up in Northern Virginia just outside Washington D.C. I moved to Tampa more than 20 years ago. 

How would you describe your job or claim to fame?

My job is to bring pleasure and enjoyment to the lives of my fellow Floridians through better beer. I started Coppertail Brewing in 2014 with that goal in mind. 

What’s your favorite Tampa Bay restaurant? 

It's a three-way tie: Rooster and the Till, Edison, and Mise En Place. 

Do you have a personal Tampa Bay “secret spot” and/or “hidden treasure”?

Canoe Escape on the upper Hillsborough River. Rent a canoe and float downriver surrounded by alligators, waterfowl, and lots of other native Florida wildlife. They pick you up downriver and take you back to your car. It’s an awesome Old Florida experience and I’m surprised so many locals don’t even know about it. Also, in the summer, I love to rent a kayak at Weeki Wachee Springs and go paddling/swimming in crystal clear spring water. Another awesome, only-in-Florida kind of experience.   

What is your favorite Tampa Bay tradition?

Tampa Bay Beer Week, each March. A whole week full of craft beer-related activities and events put on by local breweries and bars. The Florida Brewers Guild Beer Fest and the Brewers Ball Beer Fest are two events not to be missed!  

What’s one thing many people don’t know about you that you’re willing to share with us?

Like most brewers, I’m a failed musician. I still play drums in a heavy metal cover band called Mutilated Grist. Look for us at your local bar or music venue! 

If you could change one thing about the Tampa Bay area or your community specifically, what would it be?

I’d love to see making a stop at your local brewery to stock up for the weekend be as commonplace as going to the grocery store. It not only helps your small local breweries who may be struggling after the pandemic, but you get fresher, more natural and more flavorful beer that way. Find something new. Get out of your rut and support a local brewer.  

What made you decide to open a craft brewery?

When you sip on a great craft beer it’s like the world stops spinning so fast for a moment. You slow down, breathe, sip and focus on your senses. Drinking a great beer is almost like meditating. I want to bring that feeling of relaxation and sensory enjoyment to more people. 

There was a lot of doom and gloom regarding the industry when the pandemic first hit, and we did lose some great local breweries. Do you think COVID has changed craft brewing, locally or in general?

Yes. For many of the breweries who were already struggling it was the final nail in the coffin and sent them out of business. For the breweries who are still around it was a big financial strain to be closed so long and it’s taken a long time for business to start coming back so we’re all financially weaker than we were before. I think that’s going to accelerate the consolidation and buyouts that have already been going on. Many of the breweries who are emerging from COVID in shaky financial shape are looking for bigger companies to merge with.  

Overall, I think the brewing industry in the Tampa Bay area is still strong, though. We’ve lost some breweries, and we may lose a few more in the months ahead, but there are plenty of strong breweries who are still growing, and, believe it or not, there are still more new ones opening in the coming months.