Category: food pairing

Meritage Oysterfest

Yes, this is a bit more of a food geek event rather than a beer geek event, BUT…this is the part you’ll be interested in…it will feature Lift Bridge’s Oyster Stout. Better? Then keep reading for all the briney details.

The all-day celebration of bivalves will feature tastings galore of all oyster species, including the “holy grail of oysters,” the Olympia. Shucking stations will be manned by prominent oyster farmers from both coasts, including Blue Island Shellfish Farms of Blue Point, New York, Penn Cove Shellfish Company of Coupeville, Washington, and more.

Classes and seminars include a course on the basics, as well as informational sessions on the styles of both East and West Coast oyster farming and processes.

Lift Bridge Brewery will launch its Oyster Stout, made from Meritage’s own oyster shells. There will be a pairing station available throughout the day offering insight into the pairing of wine, beer, and cocktails with oysters.

The food goes beyond oysters, too: You’ll find a full menu of seafood shack standards, including lobster rolls, fried clams, steamers, oyster po’ boys, burgers, and more.

Local chefs will engage in an oyster-shucking contest, and live music will start at 6:00 p.m. The event begins at noon.

Tickets: $25, include a punch card for a dozen oysters, a pint of Oyster Stout, and a commemorative pint glass with Lift Bridge and Oysterfest art.

Seminars: $15 each

VIP pass: $100, include unlimited oysters, all three seminars, the pint of Oyster Stout with souvenir glass, two more beverage tokens, and entry into drawings for a pearl necklace from Landmark Jewelry and a “Champagne and Oyster Reception for Two” at Meritage.

Call 651.222.5670 with questions and to buy tickets (starting Sept 9)

Belgian Independence Week

Instead of simply celebrating Belgian Independence Day on July 21st, why not celebrate the whole week? There will be multiple events going on all over the cities from July 14th to July 24th. Duvel is releasing their brand new draft product, Duvel Single, Brewery Ommegang will have a special Spiced Saison available in various locations and many bars will be running specials on Belgian & Belgian Style ales during the week. Oh, and not to forget St. Arnoldus Day on July 18th!

Brewery Ommegang Cheese Pairing at The Republic

Brewery Ommegang is taking over The Republic this Thursday evening. They will be offering 5 beer selections paired with five different artisan cheeses. Each pairing will run you $6 and they will be available all evening, while supplies last of course. The menu will look something like this:

Hennepin 4 month aged Manchego and quince paste

Abbey Jasper Hill Farm Winnimere, home-brew washed and wrapped in spruce bark

Rare Vos Parmigiano Reggiano and orange balsamic

3 Philosophers Northern Light Bleu with cherry & cocoa nib crostini

BPA Cabot Creamery Cheddar and quince mostarda

Rush River Brews & Kobe Beef Sliders

The Bulldog Northeast will be offering 2 Rush River Cask Conditioned beers this evening, as well as 2 other Rush River brews on tap. Each beer selection has been specially paired with a cheese to top The Bulldog’s Kobe Beef Sliders. The following beer & slider combinations will be available:

Small Axe Golden Ale (tap) with Passendale Cheese

Unforgiven Amber (tap) with Bucheron Cheese

Bubblejack IPA (Cask) with Valdeon Cheese

Uber Alt (Cask) with Affinoise Cheese

The pairings will be available from 6-9pm tonight.  And, if the pairings just aren’t enough, Dan from Rush River will also be hanging out for a meet and greet.