The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) will host its annual Golf Classic at Lyman Orchards Golf Club on June 28, 2021. The day offers 18 holes of golf, a chance to gather with industry friends all in support supports the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation and the CRA. More details will  be announced. Visit ctrestaurant.org for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

Bad Sons Beer Co. and Smoke in the Valley present the Brewers Ball Home Brew Festival at Bad Sons Beer Co. in Derby on July 17. Guests will have the opportunity to sample more than 60 beers in a variety of styles paired with eats from local food vendors. More event entertainment will include games, shopping local vendors and a People’s Choice competition.

The third annual Spring Beer Fest by Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown will take place on Friday, July 23, 2021. The event will feature more than 40 regional and local craft breweries, accompanied by plenty of popular food trucks. General Admission tickets cost $45 for the main event from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m and $55 for VIP Hour Access at 5:00pm with specialty beers poured. Designated Driver tickets are available. This is a 21+ event. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit Looking Glass Animal Rescue, a Ridgefield, Connecticut-based nonprofit volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters and hoarding.

See 2019’s highlights here.

Please check the event website due to COVID-19-related updates or changing guidelines regarding public gatherings.

The Sun BBQ Fest “celebrates the best in barbecue” at Mohegan Sun during Labor Day weekend. Ticket holders will enjoy full plates of food from nationally acclaimed BBQ establishments, along with craft and domestic beer and craft cocktails, set amid a festival atmosphere with live music and games in the casino’s Winter parking lot. More entertainment will include the “People’s Choice Competition”, where attendees will sample and choose their favorites, along with the event’s annual Wing & Rib competition. The Sun BBQ Fest also features a World Food Championship sanctioned barbecue competition with over 70 teams. The event will close with a firework show on Saturday night and the full award announcement for all competition winners on Sunday afternoon. See more info and buy tickets here.

The Sun BBQ Fest “celebrates the best in barbecue” at Mohegan Sun during Labor Day weekend. Ticket holders will enjoy full plates of food from nationally acclaimed BBQ establishments, along with craft and domestic beer and craft cocktails, set amid a festival atmosphere with live music and games in the casino’s Winter parking lot. More entertainment will include the “People’s Choice Competition”, where attendees will sample and choose their favorites, along with the event’s annual Wing & Rib competition. The Sun BBQ Fest also features a World Food Championship sanctioned barbecue competition with over 70 teams. The event will close with a firework show on Saturday night and the full award announcement for all competition winners on Sunday afternoon.

The Festival of Wine & Spirits will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2021 at the Double Tree By Hilton in Bristol. Hosted by the Bristol Hospital Development Foundation, more than 225 fine wines, beer and spirits will be available for tasting, along with food from gourmet food stations and a dessert spectacular. All proceeds from this event will benefit renovations to the Emergency Center at Bristol Hospital. For more information on becoming a business partner or sponsoring this event contact Emily Viccaro at the Development Foundation.

The second annual Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is scheduled to take place on October 16 and October 17, 2021. Presented by Food Truck Festivals of America, the festival will feature food from New England’s most popular food trucks along with more than 50 craft beers from local, regional and national craft breweries. General admission tickets will be available for purchase in advance online for $5, or at the gate for $10. Children 12 and under are free. First responders will receive free admission with a valid ID. For more information or to purchase VIP or General Admission tickets, visit www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.

TIME: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, VIP Hour 11:00 AM

Date is subject to change pending state and local health guidelines.

The second annual Wishes Brew Fest will take place at the Elks Lodge in Smithfield on Saturday, October 16, 2021. Presented by East Commerce Solutions, the Halloween-themed event will feature local craft beer vendors and catered food with music spun by a live DJ. Outdoor seating will be set up in socially-distanced pods. Guests are invited to wear their best Halloween costumes for a chance to win best mask and best costume in the festival’s costume competition. Guests are encouraged to bring new or gently used princess or superhero costumes to donate to Brynn’s Closet, a nonprofit organization providing Halloween costumes to children undergoing serious medical treatments. The event is adults only, ages 18+.

See more information and purchase tickets here.

The second annual Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is scheduled to take place on October 16 and October 17, 2021. Presented by Food Truck Festivals of America, the festival will feature food from New England’s most popular food trucks along with more than 50 craft beers from local, regional and national craft breweries. General admission tickets will be available for purchase in advance online for $5, or at the gate for $10. Children 12 and under are free. First responders will receive free admission with a valid ID. For more information or to purchase VIP or General Admission tickets, visit www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.

TIME: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, VIP Hour 11:00 AM

Date is subject to change pending state and local health guidelines.