WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Bluejacket Forbidden Nectar Hazy IPA for the latest Beer of the Week edition.
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You put one hop in, you put one hop out (sing it)!
WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Bluejacket Forbidden Nectar Hazy IPA for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week.
Description: A light and quaffable hazy IPA dry-hopped exclusively with New Zealand Nectaron hops, featuring notes of ripe stone fruit, pineapple and kiwi.
ABV: 4.5%
Pairing suggestions: Pepperoni pizza, tacos al pastor, Italian subs, simply grilled shrimp and chicken
The great outdoors, lush mountain views and a buzzing art scene are what make Asheville a top travel destination, according to Travel + Leisure.
The North Carolina city landed on the magazine’s list of the 50 Best Places to Visit in 2026, earning recognition as a top pick for nature enthusiasts. It was featured alongside Salt Lake City, New Zealand, Okavango Delta in Botswana, and several other must-visit spots from around the globe.
“For this edition, our staff vetted more than 100 nominees, with an eye to what makes a place worth visiting in the year ahead,” Travel + Leisure editors wrote.
The Pillar rooftop bar in downtown Asheville. Travel + Leisure named the city as one of the best places to travel in 2026. Camel City Photo
“We also tapped the expertise of travel-world insiders and many members of the T+L A-List to find out which big cities are the most resonant right now — and which underrated spots are serving up culinary experiences you won’t find anywhere else.”
Highlights included the best stops for foodies, beach vibes, cultural immersion and more. Major events, including the Winter Olympics and 2026 FIFA World Cup, were also considered, according to editors.
Here’s what cemented Asheville as a top pick for travel lovers:
Why folks love Asheville, NC
Nestled in the western North Carolina Mountains, Asheville has no shortage of unique attractions.
The Biltmore, considered “Asheville’s crown jewel,” is the city’s most famous landmark and welcomes more than 1 million guests every year, according to the estate’s website.
Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, in fall 2009. Black Horse Studio VisitNC.com
Visitors seeking a bit of adventure can enjoy breathtaking views of the Southern Appalachians, plus access to hiking, biking and other outdoor activities, the city’s website says. It’s proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains also makes it an autumn escape, especially among leaf watchers vying to see the colorful foliage.
Foodies can find something for everyone — from Mediterranean to New American cuisine — in Asheville’s food scene, called “Foodtopia.”
USA Today’s 10Best also recognized it as one of America’s best beer cities for its “impressive number of breweries, friendly beer bars, and bottle shops that provide enthusiasts with easy access to more than 100 local beers.” Asheville landed at No. 7 on the Top 10 list.
Specialty shops and boutiques are plentiful, as are bookstores and open-air markets.
Post-Helene Asheville
It’s been just over one year since Hurricane Helene devastated large portions of Western North Carolina, and Asheville is still working to rebuild. The city’s River Arts District, home to painters, potters and other local artists, was completely flooded after water “at least 10 feet deep swept through” the area, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“My biggest concern post-hurricane was: Will people give up?” Meherwan Irani, chef and owner of Chai Pani in Asheville, told Travel + Leisure. The restaurant, which specializes in Indian street food, served as a base for World Central Kitchen during the storm, the magazine reported.
“What I’ve seen over the last year was people not throwing in the towel, but choosing to rebuild, sometimes against financial odds,” Irani said.
The Asheville skyline at sunrise over Town Mountain Road Bridge in the fall. Andre Daugherty VisitNC.com
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
The Power House just added a new spot for craft beer, wine, charcuterie boards, sandwiches and quick meals in downtown Rock Hill.
The Pour Market opened Thursday beside the Power House food hall, which includes Peaceful Palate. The Pour Market combines gastropub, market and social hub concepts. It has Italian sandwiches, artisan brats and grab-and-go meals.
Planned events at The Pour Market include live music, theme nights, tastings, fitness activities and local vendor gatherings. A catering menu and online orderings are coming soon. The Pour Market has indoor and patio seating.
The Pour Market has sandwiches, brats, grab-and-go meals and market fare along with craft beer and wine. The Pour Market
The Pour Market‘s University Center location is near several food, shopping and entertainment options including the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center. The Power House has free parking daily in a city garage.
The new concept replaces Middle James Brewing Co., which announced it was closing its Rock Hill location in September. Middle James spent two years at The Power House, and still has North Carolina locations in Pineville and Waxhaw.
Meals and appetizers at The Pour Market pair with craft beer and wine. The Pour Market
Related Stories from Charlotte Observer
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie. Support my work with a digital subscription
Bulldog Taproom and Social, a bar known for its selection of craft beers, has quietly closed in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood.
The spot on North Davidson and East 36th streets was listed as “permanently closed” as of Monday, Nov. 17, though it’s unclear when the business officially shut its doors.
“We’ve consolidated BulldogCLT to a single home on Winnifred Street to deliver a better guest experience — tighter service, stronger events, and the same neighborhood energy,” a message posted on the restaurant’s website reads.
A comment posted to Nextdoor noted that Bulldog’s signage had been removed, and the windows were papered over, adding: “I saw two movers moving all the furniture out two weeks ago.”
CharlotteFive has reached out to Bulldog Taproom/Social for more information, but didn’t immediately hear back.
The bar and restaurant expanded to NoDa back in 2023, taking over the 6,700-square-foot space once occupied by restaurant Room + Board, Charlotte Business Journal reported.
Customers could pick from a “wide selection of craft beers” in an updated space that blended elements of Bulldog and Room + Board, owner Rob Johnson told the outlet at the time.
“It’s just where you come to relax and have fun and have it become your new favorite bar,” Johnson added.
Less than a year later, Bulldog moved its original South End location to the Shops at The Winston on West Boulevard. That spot has since closed, however.
The Winston is located in South End, Charlotte. LunahZon Photography Plaid Penguin
“The Bulldog staff and I are thrilled to go live this week at SE 2.0 at The Winston,” Johnson said in a statement at the time. “We brought over and enhanced everything folks love about our existing South End location and added other features that we know will be very popular as well.”
Now, the taproom at 1434 Winnifred St. is Bulldog’s only remaining location.
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
A Charlotte-area city is looking to grow its food and dining scene with two new options coming next spring.
Cocotte, an authentic French bakery, and neighborhood wine pub Corkscrew Wine Shop have found new homes at The Holbroook at Town Center in downtown Huntersville, North State Development said in a release sent to CharlotteFive.
They’ll join the B&Co. Hair Salon, which opened Sept. 16 as the development’s first retail tenant. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to revitalize downtown Huntersville.
It will mark Cocotte’s second location outside of Cornelius, as husband and wife duo Angela Yeo and Chef Alexandre Darbousset spread their wings in a new 1,625 square-foot space, according to the release. Customers will find an assortment of authentic French pastries, sandwiches, coffee and more.
At Corkscrew Wine Shop + Bar, wine lovers will be able to pick from more than 30 wines by the glass and “300 wines by the bottle,” CharlotteFive previously reported. Plus, there’s a rotating selection of over 30 beers.
At Corkscrew Wine Shop + Bar, customers will find a curated selection of wine, cocktails, beer and light bites. Courtesy of Corkscrew Wine Pub
The pub will soon have new digs after closing the doors on its Birkdale Village location in 2022. It called the bustling hopping mall home for 18 years.
“Our concept is a simple one: combine a relaxed and warm atmosphere with value-driven wine selections and craft cocktails, friendly and knowledgeable staff, to create an environment where everyone feels like one of our regulars,” general manager Joe Klosek told CharlotteFive at the time.
Corkscrew is in the final permitting stages and is slated to open in the spring, according to the developer.
“It has been the honor of my career to be a part of Downtown Huntersville’s next story,” Shane Seagle, founder and partner of North State Development, stated in the release. “Watching people make The Holbrook their home and open businesses they’ve dreamed of is so exciting.”
Additional information wasn’t immediately available.
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter based at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She recently joined the NC Service Journalism team and covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide stories. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
The Great American Beer Festival welcomed drinkers to Denver over the weekend to experience the best in craft beer and cider, and it turns out Colorado residents don’t have to travel far to sip the best suds the industry has to offer.
The festival’s prestigious awards, which took place Saturday, are a testament to that. Colorado breweries and cideries made a phenomenal showing, collecting a total of 40 medals, 19 of which were gold. That is down slightly from last year’s haul of 41 medals, but the straight numbers don’t tell the full story.
In 2025, three different producers were honored as “brewery of the year” in their respective size categories – a huge honor considering more than 1,500 breweries and cidermakers entered this year’s competition. (The Denver Post did not include these accolades in the total medal count.)
“It was a great showing for Colorado’s craft breweries at the GABF awards ceremony. With three brewery of the year awards and 16 gold (beer) medals, Colorado craft breweries continue to prove that they consistently brew some of the best beers in the country,” Shawnee Adelson, executive director of the Colorado Brewer Guild, said in a statement. “The diversity of styles shows that breweries in Colorado can make exceptional beer for all types of palates.”
Westbound & Down Brewing Co. was the biggest company to earn the “brewery of the year” title, in the 5,001 to 15,000-barrel category, and it did so with six medals awarded to its IPAs and lagers. That includes three gold medals, one of which was in the West Coast IPA category, the competition’s second-most competitive. The brewery’s How the West Was Won IPA beat out 299 other entries to take the top of the podium.
As added icing on the cake, the company’s subsidiary Aspen Brewing Co. also garnered gold in the brand-new Mexican-style pale lager category with a beer called Casa Bonita. It doesn’t get more Colorado than that.
Denver’s River North Brewery was named “brewery of the year” in the 1,001 to 2,000-barrel size range after it collected two medals, both of them gold. And Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. in Golden, a mainstay at the GABF awards, took home the title in the 501 to 1,000-barrel size category with three total accolades.
Other notable standouts include Denver Beer Co. winning silver for its non-alcoholic Tangerine Cream ale; Our Mutual Friend Brewing Co. grabbing silver in the American-style IPA category; and Fritz Family Brewers landing atop the podium in the Pro-Am competition for a collaboration with homebrewer Christopher Owens of Longmont. Interesting, the now-defunct Banded Oak Brewing Co. in Denver also took home one bronze medal.
Local cideries Haykin Family Cider and Snow Capped Cider also made a commendable showing with a total of seven medals. They collectively swept the single-varietal cider category with Haykin Family Cider earning gold and bronze and Snow Capped Cider taking home silver.
This year, the Brewers Association gave out awards for the best beer packaging and branding. While Colorado didn’t officially win, we thought River North’s Squirrels Just Want to Have Fun, which won a gold medal in the coffee beer category, deserved an honorable mention.
See the full list of award-winning local beers below. You can find all the competition results at greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
Gold
American-Style Pale Ale – Parallel Pale, Westbound & Down Brewing Co., Lafayette
Belgian-Style or French-Style Specialty Ale – River North White, River North Brewery, Denver
Coffee Beer – Squirrels Just Want to Have Fun, River North Brewery, Denver
A Denver brewery known as a hub for the Latino community closed suddenly this week after city officials seized the property’s assets due to unpaid back taxes.
Raíces Brewing Co. in Lincoln Park owed $98,703 in sales and personal property taxes, according to a distraint warrant issued by the city. The business closed on Wednesday when the warrant was issued.
Brewery CEO José Beteta was not immediately available to comment on the circumstances, but a detailed goodbye note on Raíces’ website states the company had been working with the city for about a year to establish a payment plan for the taxes. The company blamed “a series of unexpected charges” issued by the city that it said are related to what’s called a business personal property tax. That’s essentially a tax on whatever assets a business owns.
The note alleged that Raices had “never received prior billing notices” and that all invoices dating back to 2019 “arrived together in 2024, already including years of interest and penalties — despite our lack of prior information.”
However, city spokesperson Laura Swartz said in a statement that the personal property taxes owed only amounted to $10,765, or about 10% of the business’s total outstanding balance. Raices owed nearly $69,000 in sales tax and about $30,000 for penalties and interest, she said.
“It’s unfortunate that this situation has gotten to this point. We want Denver’s businesses to succeed and that means offering the best customer service we can to them,” Swartz said. “Before issuing a warrant, we attempt to reach the business by phone, mail, email, and in person to both collect the sales tax and ensure they can continue to operate. As Raices has noted, the city has attempted to work with them for years, including on a payment plan that was not fulfilled.”
Opened in late 2019, Raíces Brewing Co. offered a welcome dash of diversity to Denver’s craft beer scene. Raíces means “roots” in Spanish, and the brewery quickly became a hotspot for events and traditions celebrating Latino culture. Its annual Suave Fest spotlighted Latin beer makers from across the country.
Raíces’ closure is notable because of its unique space in the community, and also because the beer was worth seeking out. In 2022, it won a silver medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship for its Furia imperial red ale.
“Raíces Brewing Co. has always been more than a business – it has been a space of community, culture, and human connection. A meeting place where thousands of people celebrated their roots, their identity, and their diversity. We are profoundly proud to have built a place that served our people and the city of Denver with love, respect, and purpose,” the goodbye note says. “In times when the world often feels increasingly divided, spaces like this become essential.”
Before Rosemarie Certo co-founded Dock Street Brewing Co., she was a beer drinker. And when she searched for American brews in the 1980s, all she found was “a sea of bland beers.”
The stuff she’d tried on trips to Europe – back when you could travel England or Germany for “$5 a day,” she remembered – tasted much better. Her favorite was Bass Pale Ale, a classic British beer known for its full-bodied, nutty profile. Her then-husband Jeffrey Ware preferred the crisp Czech brew Pilsner Urquell. So when he brought a brewing kit home one day, the couple landed on the idea of bringing the same level of quality and character they’d found abroad to Philadelphia.
Their resulting brainchild, Dock Street, launched in 1985. It’s now an award-winning craft brewery and the oldest in the city, poised to celebrate its 40th anniversary this month. The couple’s early arrival on the scene put them in a class of pioneering beermakers, of which Certo was one of the few women, who sought to reinvent the ales and lagers available in the United States.
“I think all of us were a product of a counterculture environment and wanting to make America really different than it was,” Certo said. “We wanted to go back to our handcrafted roots.”
It also provided her a roadmap for her future. Certo had grown restless teaching high school English and already pivoted careers once, to corporate and commercial photography. Though she had no background in business – she had studied literature and philosophy at Penn State University and photography at Moore College of Art & Design – her Sicilian family had been olive oil and wine merchants. She was confident she could make the leap. Ware, a sculptor, was less sure.
“My partner said, well, none of us have studied business,” Certo remembered. “And I said, well, your grandparents came from Russia, and they started a clothing factory. They never did that before. My family used to make wine and olive oil. So we’ll make beer in the USA.”
They took their name from the Old City seaport district where beer flowed in the 1700s, incorporating sailors, ships and anchors into their branding The early days involved a lot of convincing. Certo recalled persuading customers “one by one” that a case of Dock Street beer was worth buying over an import. Eventually, she and Ware had made enough converts to open a brewpub at 2 Logan Square. Dock Street was one of the largest craft breweries by the 1990s, producing over 28,000 barrels of beer each year and distributing in 26 states.
But then, Dock Street changed hands. Ware and Certo – who maintains she never wanted to give up the brewery – sold the label to Poor Henry’s Brewery & Restaurant in 1998.
“I was totally, totally lost,” Certo said. “I had no identity. … And I know we took a trip to Sicily and were there for six weeks, for a month and a half trying to forget and trying to start a new life.”
She took Dock Street back in 2002 after Poor Henry’s folded. The brewpub in Center City was long gone, so to relaunch the brand, Certo turned to F.X. Matt Brewing Co., where she and Ware had started contract brewing their beers back in 1985. She sold bottles at Pizza Rustica, the wood-fired pizzeria at 36th and Chestnut streets she had started in Dock Street’s absence. Then, in 2007, she opened a new Dock Street hub in a former firehouse in West Philadelphia. Pizza Rustica shuttered in the process, but Certo brought a wood-fired oven over to the brewpub and kept making pies.
That location has also since closed, but Dock Street now boasts a 10,500 square-foot production facility and beer hall in Point Breeze and a tasting room in Fishtown. In its four decades of life, the brewery has pumped out numerous eye-catching beers – including an “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”-inspired milk stout, a pale ale made with the help of a drone and a “wedding beer” available exclusively for nuptials and Valentine’s Day. But Dock Street has also continued to pour the amber ale and Bohemian Pilsner from its ’80s lineup – and will proudly serve them yet again at the brewery’s 40th anniversary block party Saturday, Sept. 27, in Point Breeze. The festivities will also feature a limited-edition can release, line dancing and bounce house.
As the brand approaches this milestone birthday, Certo is thinking about retirement. Her daughter, Dock Street vice president Renata Vesey, is ready to take over when the time comes. But even after 40 years at the helm, Certo admits it’s hard to imagine life without her trailblazing craft brewery.
“I probably will always have my foot in the door because I’m a workaholic,” she said. “And I have always said that I can’t imagine what retired people do. … My work is really my passion. And I could honestly say that that probably holds true for every craft brewer. Because there’s definitely a lot easier ways to make money.”
It’s time again to raise a glass to local brewers. Arizona Beer Week starts on Thursday.
Many Valley breweries will tap special releases, host unique events and showcase how their brews can be expertly paired with food.
There’s a lot going on over the event’s 10 days. Like any good taster flight, we’ve put together a sampling of what’s in store. Check out these 12 events celebrating craft beer around the Valley.
At Donut Daze, O.H.S.O. will pair doughnuts with 13 beers inspired by the sweet confections.
O.H.S.O. Brewery
Donut Daze at O.H.S.O. Brewery
Feb. 15 Multiple Locations
A sweet kickoff to the week, O.H.S.O. Brewery’s Donut Daze event pairs doughnuts with 13 beers inspired by the confections, including a Maple Bar Brown Ale, Homer Strawberry Lager and Boston Cream Milk Stout. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the pairings will be served at the Arcadia, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, and North Scottsdale locations while supplies last.
The Oregon Trail
Feb. 15 4576 S. Power Road, #102, Gilbert
Can you survive the journey from Shiner, Texas, to Bend, Oregon? Stop into Taproom-120 for its version of the classic computer game while sampling beers from brewers around the state and beyond. Featured brewers include locals 12 West Brewing and Ranch Hand Brewing, as well as out-of-towners including Bend’s Boneyard Beer, Fort Collins, Colorado’s Odell Brewing Co. and San Diego’s Modern Times Beer. This event starts at 6 p.m. and is free to attend; RSVP here.
Pedal Haus Brewery’s brew team, from left, Derek “Doc” Osborne, Jon Chaney, Derek Hanson and Tim Caggiano. Osborne will be on hand at the brewery’s Passport Beer Dinner, pairing food and brews inspired from where the featured beer style originated.
Sara Crocker
Passport Beer Dinner
Feb. 15 214 E. Roosevelt St., #4
Join Pedal Haus Brewery’s head brewer Derek “Doc” Osborne and culinary director Zach Hunter for a five-course globally-inspired meal with food and beer pairings inspired by the country where the beer style originated. The first course, for example, is inspired by Mexico. The pairing features a hop-cured hamachi crudo with caramelized pineapple, avocado, pickled sweet peppers and salsa macha, paired with Pedal Haus’ Beach Cruiser Mexican Amber Lager. Osborne and Hunter will also share insights into each pairing during the dinner. Tickets are $90 and may be purchased on Eventbrite.
Brewers Roundtable
Feb. 15 495 E. Warner Road, Chandler
If you’ve ever wanted to pull back the curtain at your favorite brewery, this is a discussion and dinner for you. Join local craft brewers at SanTan Gardens to learn more about them and their work. Panelists include SanTan Brewing Co. founder Anthony Canecchia, Beer Research Institute founder Matt Trethewey, Phantom Fox Beer Co. head brewer Valerie Adee, AZ-One Beer Co. founder Ted Golden and The Shop Beer Co. founder Dave Arnce. A four-course meal will be paired with the brewers’ beers. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased online.
The Whining Pig has teamed up with THAT Brewery for a special beer release, which will be available at all of its taphouses.
The Whining Pig
The Whining Pig and THAT Brewery Collaboration Release
Feb. 16 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., #46-1405
Cottonwood’s THAT Brewery has teamed up with beer and wine bar The Whining Pig for a special brew. The Green Pig IPA will be available on tap at THAT Brewery and all Whining Pig locations, but the special release party will begin at The Whining Pig Desert Ridge at 6 p.m. The party is free to attend and no RSVP is required.
The Arizona Strong Beer Festival will showcase more than 500 beers.
Arizona Strong Beer Festival
Arizona Strong Beer Festival
Feb. 17 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale
More than 170 breweries will bring over 500 beers to the 2024 Arizona Strong Beer Festival this weekend, including some of their biggest, aka highest in alcohol, sips. At this signature event of the week, you can sample creations from just about every brewery in the state, plus plenty of out-of-towners. If you splurge for VIP passes, swing by a day early to get your wristband and sample beers while Kansas State University takes the mound against California. General admission tickets cost $70 and VIP admission is $90. Purchase tickets through TicketWeb.
Bicycle Brews Cruise
Feb. 18 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler
The fact that all beer drinkers are cycling enthusiasts is its own modern trope. Lean into the caricature, get on your bike and ride. The cruise kicks off at 2 p.m. from SanTan Brewing Co. and will stop at Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta, Valle Luna, The Hungry Monk and The Stillery. Ride guidance will be provided by Tempe Bicycle Action Group. Tickets are $42 and may be reserved online.
Chicken N Pickle will host the Cluck Around & Win Pickleball and Cornhole Tournament with New Belgium and Huss Brewing Cos.
Chicken N Pickle
Inaugural Cluck Around & Win Pickleball and Cornhole Tournament
Feb. 19 9330 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale
Join Huss and New Belgium Brewing Cos. for a pickleball and cornhole tournament hosted at Chicken N Pickle. Fans and newbies alike are invited to both tournaments. The $29.25 ticket includes a swag bag, one item from Chicken N Pickle and two drink tickets.
American Presidential Stout Release
Feb. 19 201 E. Roosevelt St. 721 N. Arizona Ave., Gilbert
Join Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. for the special Presidents Day release of its American Presidential Stout. The beer is an imperial stout with cacao nibs and chile peppers and is “basically guaranteed to make citizens weep tears of patriotic joy,” according to the brewer. In addition to this version, Arizona Wilderness has barrel-aged the stout in oak bourbon barrels for one year. The beers will be available in cans at the brewer’s Phoenix and Gilbert locations, where you may likewise find other recent releases, including its Dill Pickle Sour made with brine and pickles from Heartquist Hollow Farm and Citrus Valley, a triple IPA made with oranges from Agritopia Farms. Both are available on draft or in cans.
Pink Boots Fifth Annual Arm Wrestling Throwdown
Feb. 21 1198 S Westwood, Mesa
Watch some of the most badass women in beer at Boulders Bar & Grill for a “competition of brut strength” to see who will take home bragging rights and the championship belt. Also on tap at this free event is a silent auction that benefits the Pink Boots Society, which aims to assist, inspire and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented and alcoholic beverage industries.
Among Ground Control’s beer week events is a Girl Scout cookie and beer pairing event.
Ground Control
Girl Scout Cookie & Beer Pairing
Feb. 22 4860 N. Litchfield Park Road, Litchfield Park
Sample a flight of four beers along with a flight of four Girl Scout cookies at the eatery, craft taproom and coffee house Ground Control. The cookie-and-beer pairing will be available starting at 4 p.m. until close, or while supplies last.
Spring Fest at Huss Uptown Plaza
Feb. 24 100 E. Camelback Road
Cap the end of a long week at Huss Brewing Co. Spring Fest will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Huss’ Uptown Phoenix taproom. At this free, family-friendly event, expect tulip planting and a maypole. This garden party will also feature drink specials, including $1 off pints of CenPho Citrus IPA and all other fruited beers. Huss will also serve strawberry mimosas and offer a grill station with burgers, wraps and flatbreads.
Widely recognized for its curated local craft beer lists, comfort food and famous Cosmik Fries, HopCat finds a new home in Clinton Township
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich., January 31, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Project BarFly, the West Michigan-based hospitality group that oversees operations of HopCat, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, and Stella’s Lounge, today announced its newest HopCat location will be at the Mall at Partridge Creek located at 17380 Hall Rd. The announcement was made by BarFly CEO Ned Lidvall.
“After opening two locations in Metro Detroit last year, we’re thrilled to be joining the Macomb County community and increasing our brand presence in this thriving market,” said Ned Lidvall, CEO of BarFly. “It was easy to see the opportunity at The Mall at Partridge Creek — a vibrant and walkable destination. We’re confident about our decision to invest in this location as the home of our 10th Michigan HopCat restaurant.”
Anticipated to open early this summer, the new Clinton Township HopCat will find its home off Hall Road at The Mall at Partridge Creek — taking over the former BurgerFin. The new 7,000-sq.-ft. HopCat will accommodate 250 guests and feature a wrap-around bar, spacious booth seating, a dog-friendly outdoor patio, a 4-season room, and a private event space for up to 50 people. HopCat will begin its hiring in March, looking to hire 125 employees.
“We are thrilled to welcome HopCat to The Mall at Partridge Creek,” shared Carmen Spinoso, CEO of Spinoso Real Estate Group, “Their commitment to quality, scratch-made and award-winning food and exceptional service resonates with our vision to create unique and quality experiences for our guests. HopCat’s parent company, BarFly, stands out with its mission of environmental sustainability and community engagement. We are excited and honored to partner with a company that shares our values and look forward to the positive impact they will bring to our mall and the surrounding community.”
About HopCat At HopCat, craft quality goes beyond our unparalleled beer selection. We pride ourselves on scratch-made, award-winning food and friendly, knowledgeable service. Each HopCat location has a unique atmosphere, but you can count on a consistently exceptional experience every time. For more information on HopCat, please visit www.hopcat.com.
About Spinoso Real Estate Group
Spinoso Real Estate Group is a national real estate firm, recognized as the premier operator of enclosed shopping malls and large-scale retail-based mixed-use properties. With a proven track record of operating 87 properties and nearly 75 million square feet of enclosed-mall transformation from coast-to-coast, and an industry-leading operating and investment platform, the firm offers a range of services, including leasing, property management, repositioning, marketing, development, stabilization, and re-development/densification. For more information, visit spinosoreg.com.
About The Mall at Partridge Creek
The Mall at Partridge Creek is an exciting, open-air regional shopping center in Macomb County, Michigan, and is home to over 80 stores and restaurants, entertainment sites and anchored by MJR Theaters. Unique amenities include a dog-friendly, family friendly environment with free Wi-Fi, snow-melt walkways and a 30-foot fireplace in Center Court. Partridge Creek is leased and managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group. Visit shoppartridgecreek.com to learn more.
Guests at all Michigan HopCats will get an additional $1 off tall drafts of beer on Lions’ advancing round game days of the 2024 NFL playoffs.
DETROIT, January 16, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– HopCat today announced a promotion centered around the Detroit Lions historic playoff run. The Michigan-based beer bar offered $1 off tall draft beers during the Wild Card game win against the Los Angeles Rams. After the memorable win, HopCat decided to discount another dollar for each advancing round on the road to the big game.
For Sunday’s game at Ford Field, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Michigan HopCat locations will offer $2 off tall draft beers all day. Subsequently, if the Detroit Lions advance to the NFC Conference Championship, HopCat has committed to discounting $3, and the big game would be $4 off tall drafts of beer.
Each HopCat location has a unique selection of local craft beer, with over 45 options on tap. Last month, HopCat introduced 21-ounce draft pours for select beers on their rotating draft menu.
“We’ve been waiting a lifetime for this and want to help keep that electricity humming for all the fans out there,” said Justin Pollock, Beverage Director at HopCat. “In the words of Jared Goff – ‘we’ve got three more of these (insert choice words)’ so come on in and let’s cheer these Lions to another win.”
For those who aren’t beer fans, HopCat’s menu is crafted for every craving. They also offer craft cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic options that pair perfectly with their award-winning fries and burgers for your Lions game day needs.
For more information about this promotion, location addresses, and each site’s beer menu, visit www.hopcat.com.
About HopCat At HopCat, craft quality goes beyond our unparalleled beer selection. We pride ourselves on scratch-made, award-winning food and friendly, knowledgeable service. Each HopCat location has a unique atmosphere, but you can count on a consistently exceptional experience every time. For more information on HopCat, please visit www.hopcat.com.
Blue Point Brewing Company’s 18th annual Cask Ales Festival returns Saturday at the brewery in Patchogue from 2 to 6 p.m.
The 18th annual event will feature 70 craft breweries, with one-of-a-kind beers created for the event.
The festival will feature live performances by Ernie & The Band, The Warped Tour Band and DJ Kaution, a skate demo by Wampum Skate Shop, live glass-blowing from Long Island Glass and more than 20 local vendors and food trucks.
This year’s community partner is Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank, which will hold a food drive at the festival’s entrance. Blue Point will make a donation to the food bank to support hot meals for food-insecure Long Islanders.
For this year’s festival, Blue Point Caskmaster Jim Richards developed a cask inspired by what is considered to be Chapin’s favorite meal, leftovers – the singer-songwriter’s personal solution to cutting back on food waste. Called Barnyard Goulash, this collaboration cask consists of a variety of “leftover” Imperial Stouts from the Blue Point cellar.
This year features a number of cask highlights. Blue Point Tequila Sunrise Sunshine is a9.6% Imperial Blonde Ale conditioned over tequila oak chips, grenadine and blood orange. Blue Point x Warped Tour Band’s Pop Punkin’ Stout is a pumpkin imperial stout. Ghost Brewing’s Lady in the Orange Fur Coat features peach, apricot and vanilla sour with dried papaya, mango, nectarine and coconut. And Forgotten Boardwalk (NJ) is a funnel cake vanilla cream ale conditioned over apple cider, cinnamon, brown sugar and glazed donuts.
More information about the event is available here.
On Saturday, September 3rd Bennington, Vermont will once again transform into “Garlic Town, USA” in celebration of all things garlic and agriculture! Garlic Town, USA, formerly known as the award-winning Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival and produced by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, announced that the downtown festival would return to Bennington on Labor Day Weekend this year.
Press Release –
Aug 24, 2022
BENNINGTON, Vt., August 24, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– On Saturday, Sept. 3, Bennington, Vermont will once again transform into “Garlic Town, USA” in celebration of all things garlic and agriculture!
Bennington, Vermont has become world-renowned for its annual garlic events held every year on Labor Day weekend. The town’s garlic events have been recognized as one of the top 10 garlic festivals in the world by Reuters, featured in Yankee Magazine, awarded Vermont’s Time-Honored Top 10 Fall Event.
Large areas of fenced in property to host the event, or what the organizers call “Cloves,” will be located at the former Greenberg Lot located at 321 Main Street (Clove A) and the former Bennington Station at 150 Depot Street (Clove B). The former Tuttle Lot (113 Depot Street) will host tickets and sales, the Garlic Town USA merchandise shop, and volunteer support. Attendees must purchase a ticket in order to enter either Clove all day long. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time at www.GarlicTownUSA.com.
Always a staple at Garlic Town, USA are the vendors from around the Northeast. This year the Chamber’s Event Manager, Mikaela Lewis, says there will be over 125 vendors at the event including over a dozen garlic growers, produce vendors, arts and crafts, and over 20 food trucks and dessert carts.
The event will also welcome back two additions that are sure to please the crowds. Bands and bars. Two stages are set up, one in each Clove, and will have live performances all day alternating on each stage. The Beer and Cocktail Garlic Bar also returns. This year, like many in the past, will have Ramunto’s Pizza managing the bar.
With the amount of attendees planned, organizers have utilized parking lots outside of downtown to manage the amount of travelers coming to Bennington. Patrons of the event are strongly encouraged to park in the Ocean State Job Lot at 99 Bennington Square, Grace Christian School Lot at 104 Kocher Drive, and the State Building and Chamber of Commerce at 100 Veterans Memorial Drive. Transportation to the event will be provided free of charge.
There will be demonstrations throughout the day by chef Cara Thatch, vendors, kids’ activities and more. The “Demo Tent” will be located in the center of Clove B (Bennington Station Lot – 150 Depot Street).
The Premier Sponsors this year for the event are Coggins Auto Group and The Bank of Bennington.
The all-inclusive retreats offer a variety of unique luxury experiences that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
SOUTH NEW BERLIN, N.Y., March 16, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– NY Goat Yoga, New York’s first-ever goat yoga operation, has officially announced its 2022 retreat schedule. Each of the three-day, two-night, all-inclusive, luxury farm stays offers uniquely themed retreat experiences that individually make for perfect bucket-list activities.
Named one of the best glamping spots in the world, Gilbertsville Farmhouse is an award-winning, luxury resort-style venue. With glamping safari tents outfitted with high-end king mattresses, designer bedding, cozy heat, and design accessories that rival any luxury hotel experience, guests can expect nothing short of premium accommodations for relaxation and rest. The boutique-style, modern Farmhouse Inn offers private suites as well, and the farm also boasts a one-acre pond with a gazebo island, a one-of-a-kind hammock park, and friendly farm animals that roam the property.
The on-site culinary team prepares fresh farm-to-table style meals that are served in the farm’s stunning barn spaces, and every evening ends with a roaring bonfire and s’mores and the dark mountain skies illuminated by the stars, offering the most incredible stargazing experience on the market today.
“Our retreats are luxurious, self-indulgent, and one-of-a-kind,” said Sharon Boustani, owner of NY Goat Yoga. “They cannot be found anywhere else in the world. We’ve checked.”
Baby Goat and Me is a wholesome experience that includes guests adopting a baby goat for the entirety of their stay. After picking a baby goat to adopt for the weekend, guests can bottle-feed their baby goat, cuddle with it, take family photos, and enjoy bedtime stories and walkabouts with goat babies in baby carriers.
The Summer Food & Wine and Beercation retreats are great options for guests looking to enjoy a few beverages during their stay. The former gives guests the opportunity to kick off their summer with three days of gorgeous New York countryside, multi-course gourmet meals, and amazing wine pairings. An all-white candlelit dinner in a chandelier-filled barn (P. Diddy style) is also a part of the retreat’s itinerary.
Similar to a stay-cation, Beercation is a great choice for those looking to just lounge and drink beer. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by the farm’s resident beer burro, who will accompany them to their glamping safari tent. At that point, the rest of the weekend is entirely dedicated to being lazy, sunbathing, eating well, and drinking incredible craft beer.
Foliage, Food, and Wine is another engaging option for those looking to participate in an enjoyable drinking experience. With the stunningly beautiful autumn in New York at Gilbertsville Farmhouse setting the scene, guests are surrounded by incredible foliage vistas as they are wined and dined by one of the finest culinary teams in the Northeast. Camera enthusiasts will be ecstatic for the atmosphere alone, as this retreat is held in peak foliage season when the mountains are decorated with bursts of natural colors.
The classic Goat Yoga Retreat is exactly what it sounds like – this retreat is all about the goats and the yoga. Guests start the retreat with a sunset goat yoga class and end it with a nighttime, candlelit, hip-hop yoga class. In between the two sessions, guests enjoy delicious meals, incredible spaces, outdoor movies, hammocks in the woods, pond fun and a plethora of goat cuddles and kisses.
Those interested in feeling like a kid again can participate in Adult Summer Camp, an experience that is focused on helping guests return to a time that was much simpler. Guests can play in the pond, tell campfire stories, make s’mores, run in potato sacks, and conclude the day with an exciting dance party. Guests will not have to put up with camp cots, however. Instead, “campers” will sleep in glamorous safari tents with king beds and luxurious amenities at this bougie summer camp.
Last but not least, lovebirds can register for the Couples Retreat, which has a growing list of annual participants who coined the weekend “the most romantic weekend of the year”. This couples-only retreat oozes romance, with cozy, warm and beautiful lodging, king beds, fur blankets, champagne, chocolates, candles, stargazing, and more. Breakfast is served in bed and dinner is served by candlelight, another reason so many couples return year after year for this amazing experience.
NY Goat Yoga, New York’s first-ever goat yoga operation, is the brainchild of Aldo & Sharon Boustani. It is operated on Boustani’s luxury farm resort, Gilbertsville Farmhouse. The resort, which operates primarily as a wedding and event venue specializing in weekend events, was founded in 2013 by Aldo and Sharon and their four children, formerly of New York City. They extensively repurposed the buildings and grounds on their former dairy farm to create a unique and gorgeous space featuring two stunning barns and their one-of-a-kind Glamping Village. Gilbertsville Farmhouse is only 3 1/2 hours from NYC and the first-ever glamping venue in New York State.
The on-site goat yoga classes take place in their gorgeous barn, which is draped with multiple crystal chandeliers and cafe lighting or outside by their one-acre pond. The venue is also host to one-of-a-kind overnight retreats during the year and an annual Couples Retreat in November.
The NY Goat Yoga goats have been featured on the Drew Barrymore Show, Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Dr. Oz Show, and The Untitled Action Bronson Show, and have done yoga with Tyra Banks and Sophie Turner of Game of Thrones fame. The goats have even rated pizza with Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy. The goats travel the northeast for NY Goat Yoga’s College Tour, bringing joy and stress relief to college students, and they are available for private events too.
Celebrating dogs and craft beer, the 7th Annual Hops & Harley festival expects to draw thousands of guests to Berthoud, Colorado from around the country. This dog-friendly, family event supports “Harley’s Dream” and will feature live music, craft beer, food trucks, dog agility course, vendors, and adult/kids activities to raise puppy mill awareness.
Press Release –
updated: Jun 9, 2019
BERTHOUD, Colo., June 9, 2019 (Newswire.com)
– Berthoud-based nonprofit Harley’s Dream and City Star Brewing will host the 7th Annual Hops & Harley Festival on June 15 at Fickel Park in downtown Berthoud, Colorado from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Top sponsors for 2019 Hops & Harley are NomNomNow, Mile High Harley-Davidson, Lamar and Petcardia Veterinary Cardiology.
The free community event will feature live music by Joe Kuckla and Irons in the Fire and By The Lee, City Star Brewing on tap, Spirit Hound Distillers cocktails, Shoes and Brews 5K Dog Jog, Hogs for Hops and Harley motorcycle ride to the event, food trucks, vendors and kids activities to raise puppy mill awareness. This year’s Woof and Wags Village will feature a dog agility course open to the public by Trust Your Dog Training, dog obedience class demo and mini training sessions with Double K Canine Training, Fluff and Buff Bar courtesy Dog Bath and Beyond. Visit Fun and Games Village to find yard games, photo booth, balloon twisting, interactive activities with Wildfire Community Arts and Berthoud Local, face painting, rocks painting, and a 2pm House of Joy Kids Show. In 2018 Hops & Harley attracted well over 3,000 people from across the US and raised more than $25,000.
100% of the proceeds from Hops & Harley will benefit Colorado-based nonprofit organization, Harley’s Dream, which was established in 2016 to create awareness and educate the public about the commercial dog breeding industry, also known as puppy mills. This event was created in honor of Harley, a tiny Chihuahua who was known as the “Little Dog with a Big Dream.” Harley’s life was truly a rags to riches story. After spending 10 years in a small cage he was freed and found a loving home where he began his triumphant journey. Harley’s efforts as a ‘spokes-dog’ against puppy mills earned him the top honor as American Humane’s “Hero Dog of the Year.” Harley had been on The Today Show, HuffpostLIVE, Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show and numerous news segments. He also had the opportunity to testify during a congressional caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Sadly, Harley passed away on March 20, 2016, but his legacy lives on … he inspired so many people to do great things, and he continues to be the voice for the hundreds of thousands of dogs suffering in puppy mills today.
Rusk, Texas, August 28, 2017 (Newswire.com)
– What could be better than sampling Texas-brewed beers aboard a historic train as it travels the Piney Woods of the Lone Star State? Savor the rich flavors of harvest season while enjoying the scenery and leisurely pace of a train ride with Texas State Railroad’s Pints in the Pines. Ranging from light, summery Kolsch and wheat-rich Hefeweizen to high-octane lagers and IPAs, from coppery-red Scotch ales to dark stouts and chocolate porters, these craft beers may have German roots but all are produced in Texas breweries.
Departing at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday’s Oct. 7 and 21, Pints in the Pines takes place on board the train as it travels between Rusk and Palestine and back. Texas State Railroad’s very own version of “Oktoberfest” will include a souvenir tasting glass for each participant and a barbecue dinner during the stopover in Palestine. The return excursion to Rusk allows ample time for all craft beer lovers to savor a full serving of their favorite brew, comparing notes and sharing stories with friends and loved ones. Everyone must be 21 years or older to participate.
In our fast-paced world, folks often forget to slow down and unplug, to take time to savor tranquil moments big and small, to appreciate life and loved ones. An adventure aboard Texas State Railroad is the antidote to the modern world; back to wild forests, charming architecture, peaceful ranchland and vintage transportation. Historic steam and diesel locomotives take passengers on a 50-mile roundtrip adventure along the celebrated Piney Woods Route of East Texas. This quintessential daytrip, only a few hours from the metropolitan communities of Dallas and Houston, will create memories that last a lifetime. Steeped in local history, “The Official Railroad of Texas” whisks passengers back in time.
During the journey, the train passes over 24 bridges, including one over 1,000 feet long. Unusual railroad structures, such as the locomotive turntable located midway, dot the historic route.
Trains depart on a varied year-round schedule from either Palestine or Rusk. Passengers may choose to ride in cars pulled by diesel or steam locomotives, depending on time of year and day of travel.
Penn Brewery, one of the oldest craft breweries in the US, celebrates its 30th anniversary with one final PA Microbrewers’ Fest and launches its new Tangerine Swirl Ale.
Press Release –
May 5, 2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 5, 2016 (Newswire.com)
– In 1986, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, Top Gun was playing in theaters, a new Ford Mustang cost $7500 – and Pennsylvania’s pioneer craft beer, Penn Pilsner, was sold for the first time. After thirty years, the brand is still going strong, a testament to its quality and timeless appeal. The Brewery will celebrate its 30th anniversary with special products, packaging, and events including the Pennsylvania Microbrewers’ Festival, throughout the year.
“For a craft brewery to have thirty years under its belt is a huge accomplishment,” said Sandy Cindrich, Penn Brewery’s CEO. “We’re very proud of this brand and its longevity.”
Here are some little-known facts about Penn Brewery:
Although Penn Brewery is based in Pittsburgh, and all of its beers are now brewed here, Penn Pilsner, Penn’s first beer offering, was actually launched in Philadelphia at the City Tavern. Why? It’s because the beer was first contract brewed by Pittsburgh Brewing, which would not allow Penn, as a competitive brand, to be sold in western Pennsylvania. Penn Pilsner was next brewed by Smithton-based Jones Brewing (owned by the family of actress Shirley Jones of Partridge family fame).
The Penn Brewery facility, located on Pittsburgh’s North Side, did not actually open until 1989, under the name Allegheny Brewery, in the former E&O Brewery building, a brewery opened by German immigrants in the mid- nineteenth century. Penn has since grown into the oldest and largest production brewery in Pittsburgh.
Penn was also the first “tied house” (restaurant plus brewery) to open in Pennsylvania since Prohibition ended.
Penn Brewery has hosted the annual Pennsylvania Microbrewers’ Fest since 1995. The Brewery has announced that the 2016 event will be the final fest in its present format. Penn plans to update the Fest format in the years to come to ensure that the event remains a fresh and unique attraction for its guests.
In the meantime, the 2016 Microbrewers’ Fest will salute Penn’s 30th year with a special Throwback Weekend celebrating 1986. The official birthday celebration kicks off the evening of Friday, June 3rd. Penn will turn back the clock with an 80’s biergarten bash featuring DJ Zimmie playing the best music of the era. On Saturday, June 4th, the festivities continue with the farewell installment of the Pennsylvania Microbrewers’ Fest.
Fest highlights include the following:
More than two dozen craft breweries will be pouring samples (partial list of brewers is included below). All breweries have been asked to bring at least one of their hard-to-find or exclusive beers. A partial list of attending breweries includes:
Allegheny City Brewing Co.
Helltown Brewing
Reclamation Brewing Co.
Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar
Marzoni’s Brick Oven and Brewing Co.
Rock Bottom Brewery
Big Rail Brewing
Millcreek Brewing Company
Rooney’s Beer Company
The Brewerie at Union Station
Morgantown Brewing Company
Spoonwood Brewing Co.
East End Brewing Co.
North Country Brewing Co.
Tröegs
Erie Brewing Co.
Ohio Brewing Company
War Streets Brewery
Fat Head’s Brewery
Penn Brewery
Wheeling Brewing Company
Heavy Seas
Quinn Brewing Company
Wigle Whiskey
Special guests include 80’s favorites: former WDVE radio jocks Jimmy & Steve, and Norm Nardini, live. Beloved western Pennsylvania icon Punxsutawney Phil will also be on hand for a meet & greet.
Fest Tickets are available for sale at Showclix. Three ticket options are offered:
Base ticket: includes admission from 5-8 pm, commemorative sampling glass & all beer samples, a buffet meal (sandwich, side, and beverage), and live entertainment. Price $50.
VIP package: package includes basic ticket plus early admission at 4pm, logoed pint glass (to be picked up at exit) and appetizers. Price $65; a total of 200 VIP packages are available for sale.
Designated Driver ticket: includes buffet meal (sandwich, side, and non-alcoholic beverage), entertainment, and a souvenir glass. Price $25.
Information updates will be posted to pennbrew.com as they become available.
Penn is also marking its 30th birthday with the rollout of two new items. For easy summertime sipping, the Brewery has launched new Tangerine Swirl Ale. Tangerine Swirl is brewed with real tangerine and Madagascar vanilla. Summit and 7C’s hops, two-row malt, and a touch of lactose make this effervescent beer a citrusy, creamy treat to beat the heat. Tangerine Swirl has 4.9% ABV and 25 IBUs. The beer is available in six-packs, 12-packs, and on draft beginning in May, 2016.
Additionally, for the first time, Penn is offering its flagship Penn Pilsner in cans . Cans are specially highlighted for the 30th Anniversary and are the perfect portable option for hiking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. Pilsner cans are now available in 6-packs and 12-packs as well as at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park.
Penn Brewery, opened in 1986, is Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest brewery. It specializes in award-winning handcrafted beers sold in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, and West Virginia. The Brewery is located in Deutschtown on Pittsburgh’s North Side, in the mid nineteenth-century landmark E&O Brewery Building.
For more information, visit the company website, www.pennbrew.com, or call Linda Nyman at 412-237-9400, X-104.
