The Newport Craft Brew Race will celebrate its annual fun run on July 22 with a walk or run 5K followed by a craft beer festival with more than 30 participating local, regional and national breweries on the grounds of Fort Adams State Park. All 5k participants and festival-goers will receive a pint glass and entry to the festival with ticket purchase, including access to beer sampling, live music, vendors and food trucks. Produced by Gray Matter Marketing, a portion of the proceeds from the Craft Brew Race Newport benefit the Rhode Island Brewer’s Guild in support of the growth of craft beer and brewing in Rhode Island. See more information here.
See highlights from 2022 here.
Saturday, July 22, 2023 10:00 AM: Onsite registration & bib pick-up 11:50 AM: Onsite registration closes 12:00 PM: 5k Race start 12:30 PM: Festival gates open 3:50 PM: Beer Festival last call
The Sun Tequila Tasting is back. The limes will be squeezed and the salt & sugar will be flowing to complement an array of tasty tequila and margarita samples at each mixology and pouring station. The Patrón one-of-a-kind blender bike is available to guests to mix up their very own margarita at an exclusive Patrón sponsored Happy Hour, which begins at 6:30pm, held on the Patrón Patio. Guests can indulge in savory Mexican fare provided by Hot Taco, capture memories at a photo booth and dance beats of DJ Rico and Fiesta Del Notre’s one of a kind Mariachi band. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to support the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. See last year’s highlights here.
The Indian American Package Store Association of Connecticut (IAPSACT) hosts it second annual cricket tournament and social event for its members and trade guests. Contact Manish Modi for information and participation and start times. Eight teams, networking and lunch. See last year’s highlights here.
Foxwoods Resort Casino will host its third-annual Cocktail Carnival on Aug. 12, featuring fair-themed signature cocktails, food and entertainment reminiscent of a day spent at the fair. Beverage tastings and cocktails will be poured by representatives from many of the state’s beverage suppliers and distributors in the ballroom and on the casino’s Fox Tower Lawn and terrace. A la carte festival food will also be available for purchase. Other amusements will include lawn games, fortune tellers and caricature artists, along with stilt-walkers and fire-breathers, all contributing to the day’s carnival theme.
The Connecticut Bourbon and Whiskey Enthusiasts (CTBWE) and the Wallingford Rotary present the Annual Connecticut Bourbon and Whiskey Festival at the Columbus Lodge in Hamden on Aug. 12. Guests will enjoy whiskey tastes from more than 20 wholesalers, retailers and producers, including local distillers Continuum Distilling, Fifth State Distillery, Hartford Flavor Company, Litchfield Distillery, Nineteen70Something Bourbon, SoNo 1420 American Craft Distillers, Up ‘N Down Rock and Bourbon and Waypoint Spirits. All proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots and Rotary Club causes and charities.
The ShakesBeer Festival is back for its sixth year, bringing craft beer and brewers to the grounds of the historic American Shakespeare Theatre overlooking Long Island Sound. Tastes from more than 50 local craft breweries will be on tap. Entertainment will include live music, along with games and activities. Guests will also be able to purchase eats from local food trucks. A portion of event proceeds will be donated to athletic scholarships for Stratford students. Event is 21+.
Horizon Beverage Co. of Rhode Island will host its first Agave Showcase event at the Treehouse Tavern in Warwick on Aug. 21. Trade guests looking to expand their knowledge and selection of agave spirits are invited for an afternoon tasting of craft tequilas, mezcals, sotols and more from a variety of makers including Bozal, Convite, Muenta, Ilegal, Agave de Cortes, El Jolgorio, Cierto, Xicaru, Nuestra Soledad, Sotol Por Siempre, Ojo de Tigre, Tanteo and many more. Light fare will be served and discounts will be available. This event is trade only. Please RSVP to Liam Moloney, lmaloney@horizonbeverage.com.
New Haven Cocktail Week returns for 2023 with a mission to “promote to the public and trade, the art of mixology, to showcase the brands of our supplier partners and to educate the public with cocktail recipes that are accessible, fun and delicious.” Kicking off with the annual Spirits Ball at Gioia on Aug. 27, guests will have the chance to taste cocktails, learn about the bartending craft, support small businesses and have fun during nightly cocktail seminars and afterparties Aug. 28 – 31. New Haven bars and restaurants will offer their best cocktails while spirits brands and special guests will offer education and tastings throughout the city of New Haven all week long at participating venues.
