Sponsored by Allen’s Wine & Spirits, Ragged Island Brewing Co. and Buffalo Trace Distillery, along with Peak Event Services, Blackstone Caterers in Middletown set the stage and plates for a unique pairing dinner on January 24. Each course of the five-course meal was paired with a rare Buffalo Trace bourbon selection and a Ragged Island beer. In bourbons, guests enjoyed Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Elmer T. Lee Bourbon, 1792 Full Proof Bourbon, Stagg Jr. Bourbon and George T. Stagg Bourbon and in beer, Ragged Island Old Boys Lager, Ripples Kettle Sour, Beach Night IPA, Green Bridge IPA and 26 Pirates Stout. Alex Allen, Owner, Allen’s Wine & Spirits, and the chefs from Blackstone Caterers created the combinations of flights and food. Guests enjoyed hearing from Blackstone Co-owner and General Manager Karen Tungett and Tony Barber, Head Brewer, Ragged Island Brewing Co., in accompaniment.
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- All from Blackstone Caterers, left to right: Tim Emery; Shannon Driscoll, Sales Manager; Niki Smith, Operations Manager; Jen Hourigan, Executive Sous Chef; Danielle Costa, Sales Manager; Karen Tungett, Co-owner and General Manager; James Campagna, Executive Chef; Chris Schneider, Cook; and Dave Tungett, Co-owner.
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- All of Ragged Island Brewing Co. except where indicated: Bill Schmidt, General Manager; Tony Barber, Head Brewer; Alex Allen, Owner, Allen’s Wine & Spirits; Mike Richie, Fine Wine & Catering Consultant, Allen’s Wine & Spirits; and Justin Keating, Sales Manager.
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- Ragged Island Brewing Co. selections Old Boys Lager, Ripples Kettle Sour, Green Bridge IPA, Beach Night IPA and 26 Pirates Stout.
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- Elmer T. Lee Bourbon, 1792 Full Proof Bourbon, Stagg Jr. Bourbon, George T. Stagg Bourbon and Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
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- The tasting mat of rare bourbons.
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- The opening Pickles & Smoke Picnic Bar featured Southern-inspired snacks paired with Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Ragged Island Old Boys Lager.
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- A gourmet duck-and-waffles course paired with Elmer T. Lee Bourbon and Ripples Sour Kettle Beer.
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- The third course was a soup and sandwich combination of a Hamachi ramen bowl and a Hamachi boa bun slider, paired with 1792 Full Bourbon and Beach Night IPA.
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- A Rueben paired with Stagg Jr. Bourbon and Ragged Island Green Bridge IPA.
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- Executive Chef James Campagna and Karen Tungett, Co-owner and General Manager, Blackstone Caterers.
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- The dessert course, banana bread pudding, peanut butter ice cream, dark chocolate, bourbon banana foster and peanut brittle, was paired with George T. Stagg Bourbon and 26 Pirates Stout.
Photos by Laura Widness.
