Fall is in full bloom–and so are the seasonal festivities! Curious where you should be for the weekend? Here’s the run-down of the best food, wine and beer events in Chester County for the weekend of October 7 – 9!
Hop Attack
Fri., Oct. 7, noon
Hop Attack just hit Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant of WC today at noon. Love hop-forward beers? Then, this event is for you! This tap takeover features 7 of Iron Hill’s hoppiest brews. Event is pay-as-you-go and runs until the taps run dry. Plus, if you love Pumpkin beers, Ichabod was additionally just tapped! More info at WCDish.com.
Fall Flavors Launch at Cakes and Candies by Maryellen
All weekend, click here for hours of operation
For all you sweet treat lovers, Baker Maryellen has just launched an incredible fall lineup, including tons of pumpkin infused desserts like Pumpkin Caramel Cheese Parfaits, Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies, Pumpkin CakePops & Truffles, and Apple Caramel Dumplings. For her full roundup, with daily specials announced promptly, follow Cakes and Candies by Maryellen on Facebook by clicking here.
Third Annual Fermentation Festival
Fri., Oct. 7, 2 – 6 pm
The Kennett Square Farmers’ Market is hosting the Third Annual Fermentation Festival this Friday, held in the usual location of the outdoor farm market (brick pathway adjacent to Genesis HealthCare). Come out and learn about the “live” method of preserving the summer’s bounty of meats, dairy and produce. The festival will feature sales of Hard Cider and Fruit Wine by Frecon Farms, cured meats by Maiale Deli & Salumeria, artisan cheeses, pickles, saurkraut and dilly beans, in addition to a “Fermentation Salon” at the center of the market. More details by clicking here.
First Friday Art Stroll
Fri., Oct. 7, 6-9 pm
Historic Kennett Square presents the October Art Stroll in the downtown this Friday! The public is invited to visit the unique, independently-owned shops, galleries, and restaurants and enjoy special exhibits, delicious food, and refreshments throughout the downtown.n conjunction with the Kennett Square First Friday Art Stroll on October 7th, WiLLow On State Art Gallery will be launching their latest art show. This Friday’s opening will include new mixed media and photo collages by Nathan Laing, an artist and photographer who owns Habitat Studios in Downingtown.
Gallery Walk in Downtown West Chester
Fri., Oct. 7, 5–9 pm
Looking for a FREE event on a Friday night that offers culture, shopping and dining? Look no further than Gallery Walk! The 2011 Fall Gallery Walk will once again feature the “Stillman Volvo Art Experience,” (located in the Wells Fargo Parking Lot on E. Gay St. between High & Walnut Sts.) as well as exhibits at Galleries and One-Night-Only Art shows through town. The Gallery Walk is presented biannually – in the spring and fall- by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Stillman Volvo of West Chester, Wells Fargo, Side Bar Restaurant and Tableleaf Wine. More info available by clicking here.
Harvest Dinner at Mill at the Stone Barn
Fri., Oct. 7, 7 pm
Join the elegant Mill at the Stone Barn for an exquisite six-course gourmet dinner highlighting the absolute best local food, beer and wine Pennsylvania has to offer on Friday, October 7, 2011 from 7 to 11 pm.
The evening will feature heavy hitters of the local food and drink industry, including Chef Ray Maxwell of Foxfire Restaurant, Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Co. and Tammy Liberato and Julie Whener of Flickerwood Wine Cellar.
Cost of the Harvest Dinner is $125 per person. All proceeds from the dinner will benefit Historic Kennett Square, a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to making Kennett Square a great place to live, work and play.
Weyerbacher Beer Dinner at Longwood Gardens
Fri., Oct. 7, 6pm
Savor the fall harvest with a seasonal meal paired with Weyerbacher beers at Longwood Gardens’ 1906 restaurant. Featured Weyerbacher beers include Verboten, AutumnFest, Harvest Ale, Merry Monks’ Ale, Double Simcoe IPA, and “Black & Oranges” (Imperial Pumpkin with Old Heathen). Cost of the dinner is $97 per person, $85 for Longwood members. Full menu is available on LongwoodGardens.org.
Phoenixville Oktoberfest
Sat., Oct. 8, begins at noon
Strap on your Lederhosen, grab a bunch of brats and head over to Bridge Street in Phoenixville on Sat., Oct. 8 for one of the area’s best Oktoberfest celebrations. The pay-as-you-go Oktoberfest pub crawl will begin at noon, and feature many of Bridge Street’s bars and restaurants opening their doors to join the party. Each of the participating 7 locations will be fashioned in traditional decor and will serve up drink and food specials appropriate this this fall celebration!
Locations of the Oktoberfest crawl include Bistro on Bridge, Columbia Bar & Grille, Franco Ristorante, Molly Maguire’s, Pepperoncini Sotto, Pickering Creek Inn and PJ Ryan’s Pub.
14th Annual Kennett Square Microbrew Festival
Sat., Oct. 8, 2 – 6 pm
Over 60 local and regional microbrewers will gather in Kennett Square for the fourteenth year of this microbeer fest, held annual as a fundraising event for the Historic Kennett Square non-profit. Participating breweries include Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company, Boxcar Brewing Co., Cigar City Brewing, Dogfish Head Brewery, McKenzie’s Brewhouse, Wild Onion Brewery, Victory Brewing Co., and many more. Along with the great-tasting beer there will be outstanding jazz/fusion music provided by The Carl Filipiak Group and local favorites, Sin City Band. The event is sold-out, sorry folks. More info at kennettbrewfest.com.
9th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cook-Off
Sun., Oct. 9, noon to 3 pm
See who is the local chili-cooking king at this all-you-can-eat chili tasting in downtown West Chester (along Gay Street). Tasting wristbands are available for $10 per person. Copious amounts of chili will be served starting at noon and running until 3 p.m. Sample unlimited amounts of chili and use the provided wooden nickels to vote for your favorites. Winning chili recipes announced shortly after 3 pm. Proceeds go toward the Good Works of the Rotary Club of West Chester and many local charities. More info at westchesterchilicookoff.com.
20th Annual Dilworthtown Wine Festival
Sun., Oct. 9, noon to 4 pm
The Dilworthtown Wine Festival returns to the Dilworthtown Inn this Sunday, Oct. 9 from noon to 4 pm, celebrating its 20th year anniversary. The annual Chester County wine festival, held the second Sunday in October for the last twenty years, offers locals an incredible afternoon out featuring a grand tasting of more than 100 wines, live entertainment, impressive silent auction, performance car show, and artisan shopping gallery. Better yet, if you score VIP tickets, you’re granted access to the exclusive VIP tent, where you will find reserved seating, a variety of gourmet foods, special wines and more. The Dilworthtown Inn and the Brandywine and Greystone branches of The Women’s Auxiliary to The Chester County Hospitaljointly organize this event to “Crush Cancer,” with the proceeds benefiting The Cancer Program of The Chester County Hospital and Neighborhood Hospice.
And, into next week …
On Tap Network’s October Fall Harvest Business Networking Event
Thurs., Oct. 13, 5:30 – 9 pm
On Tap Network, created to provide unique networking opportunities for all types of businesses large and small, invites business-savvy locals to gather together for the best networking affair of the fall. Together with the spacious Radley Run, guests may enjoy a social evening geared toward expanding working relationships while enjoying a house open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Expect noshes like mini Cuban sandwiches, an imported and domestic cheese display, smoked salmon canape, and more. Raffle giveaway will take place during the night to benefit the charity, Kisses for Kyle. Dress code is business casual. Find the Radley Run Country Club at 1100 Country Club Rd., West Chester. Event’s cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. More information at ontapnetwork.com.
Girls’ Night Out at People’s Light
Thurs., Oct. 13, 6-10 pm
Ladies, it is time to celebrate! Spend an evening shopping fabulous vendors, enjoying the fajita fiesta, sampling Black Walnut Winery’s wines, relaxing with a mini massage, getting salsa dancing lessons with Samantha Bellomo, and much more at People’s Light & Theatre! The female-focused affair will benefit the Arts Discovery, the comprehensive arts education program of People’s Light. Better yet, guests will be able to explore the theatre’s brand-new restaurant, the Farmhouse at People’s Light. Pre-event tickets are available at $25 per person, or $100 for a circle of five friends. Tickets at the door price at $30 per person. More info at peopleslight.org.
Taste of the Season with The Brandywine Ballet
Sun., Oct. 16
The Brandywine Ballet presents, with the help of the PA Eats team, an affair that blends gourmet with ballet. The fundraising event (to benefit the Brandywine Ballet) will be ideal for foodies and art lovers alike, offering incredible eats paired with premiering and innovative performance. Find the event’s venue, Faunbrook Bed & Breakfast, at 699 Rosedale Ave., West Chester. Cost is $60 per person, $100 per couple. For more information, call 610.696.2711 or visit brandywineballet.com.
