The 16th annual Calvanese Foundation Beer & Wine Tasting Festival will take place at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on July 17. The event benefits the Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals in the Southington community through donations to charitable causes, organizations and schools. Co-sponsored by Southington’s Worldwide Wine & Spirits, the event featured samples of beer, wine and spirits from more than 50 vendors, with VIP access to a separate Premier Tasting section offering tastes of high-end wine and spirits. Guests can pair beverage tastes with food by the Aqua Turf Club and several local food trucks. The Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation, a 501(c)(3) since 1996, honors the legacy of the late Joe and Kay Calvanese, who founded the Aqua Turf Club, and their long-standing commitment to community.

The Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest brings two of the best things in life – pizza and beer – together for a taste extravaganza at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport. Presented by Brown Roofing, guests will have the opportunity to sample beer from more than 20 local craft breweries in the event’s beer garden paired with pizza from the top Connecticut pizza trucks. More entertainment will include dough throwing contests, live music and shopping local vendors. Children under 12 months are admitted for free – no ticket necessary. Beer garden is open to 21+ only.

The 10th annual Crazy Brew Bash will take place at the Mount Southington Ski Area on Sept. 13 featuring hundreds of beers from more than 70 local craft breweries, along with select wines, spirits and seltzers. Entertainment will include live music, a Bloody Mary contest, pro wrestling, games, chair lift rides, raffles and more with eats from a variety of food truck vendors. Sponsored by Crazy Bruce’s Liquors, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the REACH foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children through educational programs and scholarships. There will also be a toy drive at the event to collect new, unwrapped toys to donated to children in need this holiday season. See highlights from last year here.

Rhode Island Monthly will host its annual Best of Rhode Island event at Providence’s WaterFire Arts Center on July 24. The annual event is a tribute to Rhode Island’s unique food and beverage venues and businesses, which are chosen by the public via Rhode Island Monthly’s online reader survey. Guests will enjoy dishes from the Ocean State’s best venues paired with beverage selections from local producers.

The first Pawtucket Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival will take place at Centreville Bank Stadium on Aug. 23. More than 25 of Rhode Island and New England’s most popular food trucks will be on-site dishing out fan favorites while craft beer vendors pour a variety of brews from local, regional and national brands. There will also be live music and family friendly lawn games. This event is open to all ages. Children ages 10 will be admitted for free.