Your horoscope says, "Drink."
Speakeasy Taps a Firkin
"Tapping a Firkin" is not nearly as naughty as it sounds, but we still like to watch. This Thursday, you'll find us watching Speakeasy lead brewer Joe Smith wield a giant mallet and hammer a tap into a cask of The Strong Man, an English-Style Strong Ale. The Strong Man was brewed to be aged in bourbon barrels for 9 months, but Smith set aside a few barrels to carbonate naturally in quarter-sized barrels called "firkins." He's ready to give them a taste, so he's tapping one at 6pm in the Speakeasy Tap Room. A firkin only holds about 11 gallons of beer, so you'll want to arrive on time, before the keg taps out. We recommend public transit or a designated driver, because at 9.3% alcohol, The Strong Man packs quite a punch. 1195 Evans
Wente Vineyards Wine Pairing Collaboration Dinner
If you're looking for a more elegant event on Thursday, look to the East. The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, located in Livermore, is hosting a one-night only collaboration wine dinner from 5 to 9 pm that combines the talents of current Executive Chef Matt Greco and former Executive Chef Kimball Jones, who is now Culinary Director at Groth Vineyards and Winery. "Sharing the Vineyard Table" celebrates a combined 28 years of culinary excellence with a four-course meal, plus amuse and mignardise. Dishes include a Fall Fruit Salad, Shrimp Scampi Ravioli, Grilled Porcini Crusted Steak, and Grandma's Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. Each course is carefully paired with wines from Wente Vineyards and Groth Wines. Tickets for the collaboration dinner are $75 each or $105 with wine pairings, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required: 925.456.2450. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore
Mezcal: Mexico in a Bottle
In Mexico, Mezcal is more than just a beverage. It embodies more than 500 years of history, culture, and tradition. "Mezcal: Mexico in a Bottle" celebrates that rich identity this Sunday, September 14, with a mezcal, food, and art extravaganza at Public Works, from 3 to 7pm. Some of the biggest figures in the mezcal world will be on hand to lead panels, participate in discussions, and taste Mexico's greatest spirit alongside art, music, and food. Luminaries include Erick Rodriguez of Almamezcalera (dubbed the “Indiana Jones of mezcal”), Raza Zaidi of Wahaka Mezcal, Ivan Saldaña of Montelobos, Marco Ochoa of Mezcaloteca, Graciela Angeles Carreño of Real Minero, Cecilia Murrieta of La Niña del Mezcal, John McEvoy the Mezcal PhD, Susan Coss and Max Garrone of Mezcalistas, and Jaime Qui of Agave Tips. About a dozen mezcal brands will be represented at the event, and local restaurants— including Colibri, El Techo/Lolinda, La Urbana, and Lolo Cevicheria—will be pairing exclusive bites with mezcal cocktails. Tickets are available online for $60 per person and include mezcal tastings, food and cocktail pairings, discussion panels, and mezcal-influenced music, art, and photographs. Wine, beer, and full-sized cocktails will be available for purchase. 161 Erie Street
Robots Replace Bartenders at DNA Lounge
Could a robot replace your favorite bartender? DNA Lounge is hosting a Cocktail Robotics Grand Challenge this Sunday to find out. Early entries include the punch-card operated Cocktail Engine, the library card catalog-driven DrawerBot92, and a Polynesian totem called Tikibot. The competing cocktail contraptions are vying for a $1000 Grand Prize and will be judged on four criteria: Style and Grace, Efficiency of Intoxication, Full-Assery (as opposed to half-assery), and This Will End Badly. If you want to enter the contest at this late date, the entry fee for "Robots and Builders" is $45 per robot. If you fall into the "Spectators and Victims" category, tickets are $10 in advance (or $12 at the door) and include two drink chips to spend at any cocktail robot. "Robot Happy Hour" begins at 5pm, when you can start sampling drinks from cocktail robots until the competition begins at 9:30pm. Extra drink chips will be available for $5 each. When asked whether he would consider replacing DNA Lounge's current staff with robotic replacements owner Jamie Zawinski said, "We would never, ever do that, unless we decided to." He added, "I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords." 375 Eleventh Street
Uncle Brother's Chicken Pops Up at The Residence
In case you haven't heard, Tuesday nights are for fried chicken in the Castro. Each week, Wes Rowe (of Wes Burger) and his brother Walker bring Uncle Brother's Chicken to The Residence, and next Tuesday they're adding an Asian twist. The Chicken of the week is Sweet and Spicy General Tso's Chicken served with rice and sauteed market veggies, and offered alongside snacks such as steamed dumplings and glazed BBQ pork rib. The Resident bartender has seen fit to pair the Chinese chicken feast with a special $10 cocktail made of Yuzu watermelon limeade with Gruven vodka. He's calling it Bamboo in the Breeze. 718 14th Street
Send drinking suggestions to renee@grassrootspr.com.
