• New Times' Annual Beerfest is just around the corner again. The fest will go down on April 17 from 7 to 11 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale's Esplanade Park (across the street from the Museum of Discovery and Science, next to the river). There's already a ton of great craft breweries on board and more are sure to follow. In addition, this year's event will feature a new VIP area inside the Museum itself. Not only will VIPs get better access to beer and food, AC, and real restrooms, this means the general admission area will be expanded to offer more room and quicker lines. Good stuff, in my book. Tickets are available now online. General admission costs $25, and VIP costs $60. Day of sale prices are $35 and $85.
is continuing its regional cooking workshops with a class this Sunday,
February 28 at 5 p.m. on the eats of the Pacific Northwest. The
workshop, led by head chef Michael Wagner, will feature cooking demos,
recipes you can take home, and (best of all) a three-course meal with
wine or beer pairing, all for $50. Courses are Washington State crab
louie salad; cedar plank Alaskan salmon with apricot and jalapeno
glaze, roasted Idaho potatoes with walla walla onions and sage, and
caramelized Brussels sprouts with toasted pecans; and finally Oregon
pinot noir caramel apples. RSVP in advance via Facebook.
• Mizner
Park's newest addition, The Cheese Course, is hosting a series of grand
opening events March 5 through 7. The first, on March 5, features
cheeses from England, Switzerland, and France, and starts at 5 p.m. The
next day, Cheese Course will tackle Spain, Italy, and Greece starting
at noon, and the final tasting will feature the good ol' U.S. of A.
starting at noon. Each of the tastings are completely free -- if you
like what you had, you can purchase more to take with you or eat in
store with a glass of wine or any of the shop's sandwiches and salads.
Call 561-362-0606.
• The wines of Portugal will be on display at the first ever Fenadegas Annual Miami Tasting at Smith & Wollensky's in Miami Beach on March 8. Fenadegas, the national association of wine cooperatives in Portugual, is offering an unlimited sampling of about 100 whites, reds, and roses, including Ports, White Vinho Verdes, and Moscatels. Party starts at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $25; get them at www.localwineevents.com.
• Don't forget: The Best Damn Brew Review, courtesy of Total Wine and 93 Rock, is tomorrow night at Gulfstream Park. Sample over 200 craft beers for only $25, starting at 8 p.m.
• Attention math nerds and pie lovers alike: Morton's, The Steakhouse is offering slices of its signature Key Lime pie for $3.14 a pop in honor of National Pi Day, which happens to be March 14. This is actually a deal. Paying just $3.14 a slice will save you the remaining .1592653 cents.... repeating of course.
• The South Florida Beer Lovers and Homebrewers have a MeetUp page where they organize events at places like BX Beer Depot. On March 3, they're holding a tasting and educational class on porters at the Depot, hosted by owner Sally Parsons. The event will cost $15, and includes beer -- or you can bring in three 12-ounce brews to share and pay only $5. Register on MeetUp.