In Tampa’s dining world, few experiences match the quiet elegance of the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, at Bern’s Steak House. For 40 years, it has been a symbol of indulgence and craftsmanship, known for its wine-cask booths, dim lighting and tables that fill long after dinner hours.hours.
To celebrate the milestone, Bern’s has teamed up with Hidden Springs Ale Works, a family-owned brewery in Tampa Heights, to debut a trio of barrel-aged beers inspired by the dessert room’s most beloved menu items. The collaboration brings together two Tampa institutions — one historic, one homegrown — in a shared toast to creativity and local flavor.
What happened
The partnership, called The Dessert Room Beer Series, is the work of Bern’s Director of Spirits Nate Wilson and Hidden Springs CEO and Head of Production Josh Garman.
“From barrel selection and recipe development to the final tastes, this project embodies the attention to detail and craftsmanship that define both our brands,” Garman said. “It’s been an honor to bring Nate’s vision to life in celebration of the Dessert Room’s 40th year.”
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The limited-edition lineup includes:
- Bananas Foster Imperial Sweet Stout (12% ABV): aged in E.H. Taylor Jr. bourbon barrels with bananas, brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Carrot Cake Imperial Pastry Sour (10.5% ABV): aged in Meyers Rum barrels with roasted pecans, vanilla and sweet carrot.
- Macadamia Nut Imperial Sweet Stout (12% ABV): aged in Nashville Company Distillery bourbon barrels with roasted macadamia nuts.
Each beer reflects the dessert room’s signature flavors, from caramelized banana to toasted nut and spice.
Wilson said the goal was simple: honor the ritual that has defined the dessert room for generations.
“We set out to celebrate the relaxed, intimate moments that have made the dessert room so special for 40 years,” he said. “Josh’s creativity made him the perfect partner to bring this to life in a way that feels both nostalgic and new.”
What this means for Tampa’s restaurant scene
The collaboration highlights how Tampa’s hospitality industry continues to evolve through local partnerships. Long known for its fine dining and wine program, Bern’s has increasingly embraced innovation — from curated barrel selections to this new crossover with the craft beer community.
Hidden Springs, renowned for its nostalgic flavor profiles and innovative brewing techniques, represents the new generation of Tampa artisans shaping the city’s culinary identity. Together, the two brands demonstrate how legacy institutions and small producers can create experiences that are both rooted in history and built for today’s audience.
About Bern’s
The story of Bern’s Steak House began in 1953, when founders Bern and Gert Laxer bought a small Tampa luncheonette called The Gator Juice Bar. Their relentless commitment to quality — from ingredients to hospitality — fueled the restaurant’s transformation into one of the most celebrated steakhouses in the country.
After relocating to South Howard Avenue, the Laxers expanded from a single room to eight dining spaces, with seating for 350 guests. The restaurant became known for dry-aged steaks, impeccable service and one of the world’s largest private wine collections, containing more than half a million bottles stored in temperature-controlled cellars and warehouses.
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In 1985, the couple opened the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, named after a friend and former director of Château Latour. The idea was inspired by an evening at Waugh’s home, where post-dinner conversation flowed over port, cognac and cheese. Seven years later, the concept became reality — a dedicated space for desserts, spirits and quiet conversation in private booths made from old redwood wine casks.
Bern passed away in 2002, and Gert in 2020, but their legacy lives on through their son, David Laxer, who oversees Bern’s Steak House, Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits and Haven restaurant. Together, these ventures continue to define Tampa’s culinary landscape while expanding their reach through ventures like the Epicurean Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property that draws inspiration from the family’s story.
What you should know
The Dessert Room Beer Series is available exclusively to guests dining in the Harry Waugh Dessert Room while supplies last. Stand-alone reservations are accepted daily between 6 and 6:45 p.m. Dinner reservations include automatic dessert room seating.
For decades, the Harry Waugh Dessert Room has been Tampa’s final course — a place where the night lingers, the lights stay low and stories stretch over one more drink. Now, 40 years later, it raises a glass to the next generation of flavor, brewed and barrel-aged right here at home.
To reserve a table or learn more, visit bernssteakhouse.com/harry-waugh-dessert-room.
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