Virtual Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Hartford Nonprofit

Fire by Forge and Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon, in collaboration with Brescome Barton, hosted a charitable golf tournament at Oakwood Virtual Golf in Glastonbury on April 3. Industry guests turned out to support the cause, playing virtual golf and enjoying lunch catered by the Fire by Forge team. Guests enjoyed cocktails featuring Connecticut-made brands Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon and Fruitful Mixology Liqueurs, along with select beer from Alvarium Beer Co. Fire by Forge in Hartford is a Pan-American-inspired, chef-driven concept that includes a cafe, full-service restaurant, bar and catering operation. As a social enterprise of Forge City Works (FCW), the venue is integrated with FCW’s nonprofit culinary and customer service job training program, providing transitional employment opportunities, internships and apprenticeships to people over the age of 18 with barriers to employment, such as poverty, incarceration or the experience or risk of homelessness, and addiction/recovery. The event, which raised more than $1,200, was sponsored by Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon, whose founder, Justin Morales, also oversaw the opening of Fire by Forge, located in the historic former Billings & Spencer Company in Frog Hollow, close to the state capitol.

: Fire by Forge and Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon, in collaboration with Brescome Barton, hosted a charitable golf tournament at Oakwood Virtual Golf in Glastonbury on April 3. Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon uses honey, figs, bark, orange zest, bitters and rock candy to create its unique flavor profile and has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% barley malt.

: A prize featuring Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon, Fruitful Mixology Liqueurs, Alvarium beer and a gift certificate to The Charles.

: Justin Morales, Founder, Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon; Jillian Carey, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton; and Tom Delaney, Owner, Oakwood Virtual Golf. The event raised money for Forge City Works, a local nonprofit whose mission is to help people in the Hartford area by creating access to healthy food, employment and job training, and sustainable social enterprises.

: Justin Morales, Founder, Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon; Jillian Carey, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton; and Christopher Munk, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton.

: Using the PGA-approved aboutGolf® simulator system, players were able to drive, chip and putt real golf balls to golf 18 holes.

: The winning team: Scott Edelson, Territory Sales Manager, Twelve Percent Beer Project; Nico Koutouzis, Owner, Georgina’s Italian Restaurant, Bolton; and Jesse Powers, Culinary Director, The Beamhouse. (Not pictured: Jonathan Lynch, Owner, The Beamhouse.) Each person is holding Connecticut-made Up n’ Down Colonel’s Cut Straight Bourbon Whiskey, barrel-proof and infused with figs and spices.

: Guests enjoyed assorted sandwiches for lunch, prepared by Fire by Forge, a job training program providing transitional employment opportunities, internships and apprenticeships to people over the age of 18 with barriers to employment, such as poverty, incarceration or the experience or risk of homelessness and addiction/recovery.

: Tastes of Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon, Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon Pumpkin Mash and Up n’ Down Colonel’s Cut Straight Bourbon Whiskey paired with small bites from Fire by Forge.