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.
The seventh-annual Ocean State Brewers Festival, dedicated exclusively to Rhode Island craft beer, will take place at Unity Park in Bristol on Aug. 27. Sponsored by restaurent and hosted by Bristol’s Pivotal Brewing Company, guests still enjoy unique beers brewed just for the festival and poured by many of the brewers who made them. Proceeds will benefit the RI Brewers Guild.
Brescome Barton/Worldwide Wines will be hosting its 11th Annual Charity Golf Outing in support of the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF). MC-LEF provides educational assistance to the children of fallen United States Marines and Federal Law Enforcement personnel. Since it was founded in 1995, the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation has provided over has awarded over $91 million in educational accounts and other humanitarian assistance to over 4700 recipients, with 97% of all donations go toward fulfilling its mission. The day includes practice range and putting green; green and cart fees; breakfast, lunch, extended cocktail hour; contests, gifts, raffles, prizes; assorted product samples on course and on-course contests. Reserve spots and sponsorships today, Team signup deadline is August 25, 2023. See 2022 images here.
The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) will host its 20th annual Rhode Island Lodging & Restaurant Economic Outlook Breakfast on Sept. 13, 2023. Guests will enjoy a panelist discussion, with analysis of the state of the hospitality industry and the economic forecast for 2024, along with a hot breakfast and networking prior to the presentation. This is a RIHA members-only event. More details soon on the association website.
Worldwide Wines of North Haven will host its annual summer trade tasting of domestic and imported closeout wines and spirits for accounts and trade guests. Trade members only. For more information, contact your sales representative at Worldwide Wines.
The ninth-annual Stadium Beer Fest, hosted by the Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre & Conservatory in Woonsocket will take place on Sept. 14. Guests will enjoy unlimited pours of beer and wine from Sons of Liberty, Diamond Hill Winery & Vineyards, Foolproof Brewing Company, Mancini Beverage, Narragansett Beer, Whalers Brewing and more with food by Ciro’s Tavern, Black, Chelo’s Domino’s, Kay’s Restaurant, Olly’s Pizzeria, River Falls, Savini’s Pomodoro and Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille. Proceeds will benefit the Stadium Theatre, a 1920’s era Vaudeville Theatre and community centre which hosts famous musical guests along with family-oriented community theatre, dance and music groups.
Stonington Vineyards Harvest Food & Wine Festival will take place Sept. 17-18. The Annual Harvest Festival features live bands, artisans, wine tastings, food trucks, and more. Tickets are $30 in advance, and $35 at the door, and include wine tasting and keepsake glass, live music all weekend, and all event amenities. For the safety of staff and guests, masks are required to be worn indoors by everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Event is rain or shine, no outside alcohol. See last year’s highlights here.
Stonington Vineyards Harvest Food & Wine Festival will take place Sept. 16-17. The Annual Harvest Festival features live bands, artisans, wine tastings, food trucks, and more. Tickets are $30 in advance, and $35 at the door, and include wine tasting and keepsake glass, live music all weekend, and all event amenities. Event is rain or shine, no outside alcohol.
The second Newport Oktoberfest will take place at Fort Adams State Park on Sept. 16. Hosted by the Fort Adams Trust and Ragged Island Brewing Co., the festival will bring authentic German beer, wine, food and live music to the Ocean State, with proceeds benefiting the Fort Adams Trust, a non-profit organization working to preserve the historic Fort Adams State Park, a 200-year-old military fort turned state park situated on the mouth of Newport Harbor. Guests will enjoy tastes of Weihenstephan, Paulaner and Spaten beer from Ragged Island Brewing Co., Taproot Brewery and Rejects Beer Co. and food from local caterers and vendors. “Celebrating Oktoberfest in the shadow of Fort Adams, with a view of the Claiborne Pell Bridge, is truly a spectacular afternoon,” says Matt Gray, Owner, Ragged Island Brewing Company. “The added bonus of supporting the Fort Adams Trust makes this event a must-have on your calendar.”
