South Florida Food and Drink Events This Week: New Times Beer Talk, Due South Oktoberfest, and More

Around and around we go; today is the start to yet another lovely workweek. Hopefully, you have a bit of a spring in your step from some indulgent weekend activities. If not, don't fret; there are still plenty of events to keep you busy through the next batch of working days.

Whether you're looking to go to a green market after dark, celebrate Oktoberfest with Due South Brewing, or participate in some bar olympics at Dirty Blondes, there's something to do in Broward and Palm Beach counties this week.

See Also: Ten Best Sandwiches in Palm Beach County

Monday

Clematis By Night Firefighter Chili Cook-Off

Have some five-alarm fun at the first annual Firefighter Chili Cook-Off taking place on Monday evening at the Flagler waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach. The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m., and will offer activities for the entire family including games, bounce houses, and a fire truck for kids (and adults) to explore. Admission is free, but for $10 guests can purchase a ticket that will allow them to receive unlimited chili tastings. When you're done trying all that chili, vote for your favorite in the People's Choice award contest. There Chili Chicks will be on hand for a dance competition, and live music will be playing all night long performed by the Nashville country duo, Cadillac Blue. Visit wpb.org/clematis-by-night.

Tuesday

American Fine Wine Social at Tanzy

This Tuesday, Tanzy -- located inside iPic at Mizner Center in Boca Raton -- will be hosting a special wine tasting event benefiting the non-profit, Women in Distress, Florida's only nationally accredited, full-service domestic violence center serving Broward County. The American Fine Wine Social is an opportunity to taste and explore some of the fine wines produced in America; all the wines poured at this event will be participating in the seventh annual American Fine Wine Competition, which takes place in Miami in January. These award-winning wines are paired with food prepared by Tanzy. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Entry is $45 per person ($50 at the door), and includes samplings of 50-plus wines, several pairing courses, as well as entry to a raffle. Visit americanfinewinecompetition.org.

Thursday

Taste of Delray Marketplace

The west Delray Beach shopping plaza that's home to Cabo Flats, Burt & Max's, and Shula Burger will host its second annual Taste of Delray Marketplace culinary event this Thursday. The event will feature food and drink from the entertainment complex's restaurants, and others including Bella Amici Pizzeria and Red Brick Grille. The event in in conjunction with Teens of Pink Ribbon, and a portion of funds raised from ticket sales will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation, and to support local breast health education programs. Event-goers will receive a $15 shopping voucher to use at the marketplace's participating retail and specialty shops. Taste of Delray Marketplace will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at 14851 Lyons Road, Delray Beach; tickets are $20 at DelrayMarket.com; tickets can be purchased day-of for $30.

Second Annual Craft Spirits Festival

This Thursday welcomes the return of the second annual Craft Spirits Festival, a series of events that serve to educate the public on craft and small-batch spirits. During the event, the grand tasting is your opportunity to try unlimited samples of the world's best gin, rums, vodka, whisky, and liqueurs, as well as sample crafted cocktails by the industry's best bartenders and mixologists. This year's event takes place at the Cruz Building in Miami, from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $75 each, and space is limited. Find tickets online.

Bar Olympics at Dirty Blondes

Beginning Thursday, October 9, arcade athletes will have the chance to go for gold during the Dirty Blondes new annual Bar Olympics, sponsored by Wild Turkey American Honey. Every Thursday in October from 5:30-8:30 p.m., teams of four will compete in a five-game playoff challenge to see who scores the most points in boxing, darts, two-minute drill football, skeet ball, and pop-a-shot. The top three teams will take home temporary bragging rights, a gift card ranging from $10 -$30 dollars, and secure their place in the final championship round on November 6 for cash and prizes. The cost to compete is $5 per person, and $20 per team. Entry fees include one free American Honey cocktail, well, draft, or bottle beer per person, and one scorecard per team. Catch the Thursday Night Football game after the fun, and enjoy your choice of 20-inch cheese or pepperoni pizza for $20, and a free sampling of Wild Turkey American Honey with the American Honey girls from 7 to 9 p.m. To sign up, visit the EventBrite page.

Due South Oktoberfest

Due South Brewery in Boynton Beach will be hosting its annual Oktoberfest celebration, a three-day event starting Thursday, October 9, where you can find food trucks, festive polka music, and plenty of new beer releases. As with previous years, expect to see the brewery's Oktoberfest marten lager, as well as a number of other specialty releases each day. For more information check the Due South Brewing Facebook page.

Friday

Florida Beer Discussion Hosted by Gerard Walen and New Times' Doug Fairall

If you love beer -- especially local beer -- you probably love talking and learning about it, too. If that's the case, join New Times beer writer Doug Fairall as he discusses the local craft beer movement and scene with Gerard Walen, author of Florida Breweries, at the Boca Raton Public Library. The special event, organized by the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library, will offer complimentary snacks to accompany a guided tasting of select Florida brews, as well as nonalcoholic beverages provided by Potions In Motion, a local bartending company. After the event, participants will have the opportunity to purchase Walen's book, and have it signed by the author -- a former editor and writer for the New York Times Regional Media Group, and a contributing writer for Beer Beer Advocate, All About Beer, and Paste magazine. The Florida Beer Discussion will take from 7-8:30 p.m. at the downtown library branch located at 400 NW 2nd Avenue in Boca Raton. The event is for adults only; you must be 21 or older to attend. To sign-up for the event visit bocalibrary.org to complete the mandatory registration form. A suggested donation of $5 for the Friends of the Library (cash only).

Food In Motion After-Dark Green Market

Food In Motion, in conjunction with the City-Wide Vintage & Collectible Market, will be heading to Peter Feldman Park in Fort Lauderdale with an evening pop-up green market and food truck round-up. Food In Motion isn't just your average green market; instead, think of it as a foodie event for those interested in eating fresh, healthy, and local. Guests can choose to picnic in the park with dinner from food trucks, including Flour Power, Palate Party, and more. Or, you can shop with green market with a number of vendors like Papa Cherry Pies (pies in a jar); handmade soaps from Habitat Soap Collective; fresh pumpkin bread from Biscotti Girl; all natural dark chocolate from Eddie's Dark Chocolate; or gourmet brownies from BrownNayNays. There will also be free beer --that's right, FREE beer -- for those 21 and older. The event is free to the public, and will take place from 5 to 11 p.m., and will continue on the second Friday of each month starting this week. Visit the Facebook event page.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.