Here are our top picks for upcoming food-frenzied affairs, and, with the help of our friend Bryan Kolesar of the Brew Lounge, we also pick some beer events you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendar for the following:
9/30-10/3 – The 2nd Annual McKenzie-Fest, premieres with brewer Oktoberfest Beer Dinner on 9/30, Malvern
Thu. 9/30 – Ocktoberbest Beer and Wine Festival at The Ship Inn in Exton, PA(6:30-9 pm; $30)
Thu. 9/30 – Anti-Reinheitsgebot Oktoberfest Beer Dinner at McKenzie Brew House, Malvern, PA (7 p.m.; $39)
Fri. 10/1 – Friday Night Sampling of Ithaca Brewery at Exton Beverage, Exton (4 – 6 p.m.; Free)
Friday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m., Oktoberfest at Iron Hill Brewery
To coincide with the annual Oktoberfest celebration in Munich, Germany, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant will offer a stick-to-your-ribs menu of hearty Bavarian dishes served at all eight restaurants through Oct. 3. But, right before they say farewell to their seasonal dishes, the microbrewery will host a street festival in front of their Phoenixville location during the downtown area’s First Friday (Oct.1) celebration. The event celebrates this year’s batch of their hand-crafted Oktoberfest beer. Visit www.ironhillbrewery.com for information.
Sat. 10/2 – Saturday Sampling of Svyturys Brewery (Lithuania) and Brauerei Grieskirchen (Austria) at Exton Beverage, Exton (1 – 3 p.m.; Free)
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2 to 6 p.m., Kennett Square Brewfest
Celebrating its 13th year, the annual fundraising event for historic Kennett Square is one of the area’s premier beer tastings, bringing together more than 60 local, regional and craft breweries like Allagash Brewing, Brewery Ommegang, Dogfish Head Brewery, Flying Fish Brewery, Franziskaner Brewery, McKenzie’s Brewhouse, Rogue, Sly Fox, Victory Brewing Co., and many more. At $40 per person, the outdoor brew extravaganza is also paired with live jazz/fusion music by Carl Filipiak and The Jimi Jazz Band, as well as local favorites, the Sin City Band. Visit www.kennettbrewfest.com.
Sunday, Oct. 3, noon to 4 p.m., Downingtown FallFest
At this street festival (on East Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown), Victory Brewing Company joins forces with local restaurants and businesses to promote cuisine from nearby farms and eateries. And, of course, they’ll be selling their beers in a beer garden. Amani’s BYOB, Blue Cafe, Doghouse Burgers, Firecreek Restaurant, Foster Boys, Kimberton Whole Foods, Station Taproom, and many more are slated to participate. For more information, visit www.downingtownfallfest.com.
