Tampa’s historic Ybor City district is known for its nightlife. But just a few blocks away, you’ll find a bar that’s reminiscent of another time and place.

Bastet Brewing pays homage to the beer culture of ancient Egypt. And that’s the vibe you’ll get when you step inside, from the mural on the wall down to the smallest details.

Friends Huston Lett and Tom Ross opened Bastet in November 2020. Despite the ups and downs of the pandemic, they’ve grown the business into one of Tampa’s most buzzed-about watering holes. Bastet was even featured in the documentary One Pint at a Time about diversity in the craft beer industry. (Former Zest guest Latiesha Cook of St. Petersburg-based Beer Kulture also appears in the film.)

Dalia Colón and The Zest's web guru, Alexandria Ebron, recently visited Bastet for a tour. In this conversation, Huston and Tom explain the Egyptian roots of modern craft breweries and how their mutual love of cooking inspires the beers they create.

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