Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for Week of January 20-27

The Connecticut Real Ale Festival takes place on Sunday January 27 at Brewport in Bridgeport.  All casks are prepared expressly for the Connecticut Real Ale Fest.  Tickets are $45 and include entry, a collector’s glass, and two 5 oz. samples and two slices of Brewport’s famous pizza. Additional samples are $1 each. 

On January 22, Amis Trattoria will host the distilling pros from local vodka company, Cylinder Vodka, for an interactive cocktail making and tasting class. Held at the bar, guests will learn to mix classic and contemporary cocktails, taste-test their creations and get some facetime with the knowledgeable experts from both Amis and Cylinder Vodka. Tickets are $55 per person, which includes instruction, assorted snacks, and cocktail tasting. Tickets are limited.

Stew Leonard’s in Newington presents a “Book and a Bite Culinary Class for Toddlers” on January 22.  Each child will prepare one dozen chocolate chip cookies from scratch.  They’ll also read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie written by Laura Numeroff.  The class is for ages 2-5. 

Join AMG Catering for “Winter Soups and Salads” on Wednesday January 23.  The menu included Apple-laced butternut squash bisque, Tomato-dill soup, Winter kale salad, and Roasted cauliflower salad.  It is $90 per person. 

On January 23, These Guys Brewing Company in Norwich hosts a Beer v. Wine Dinner.  Owners Ray and Becka are pitted against one another to come up with the best pairing for each of the four courses to be served.  The event lasts from 6-9pm and costs $80 per person. 

Oak Haven Table & Bar will hold a “2018 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection with Boss Hog & Michter's 20 Year” on January 24.  Guests will have the pleasure of tasting 1 ounce of the following whiskies: Whistle Pig Boss Hog "The Spirit of Mauve," George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac, and Michter's Bourbon 20 Year.  Tickets are $150 and it runs from 7-10pm. 

Hop Haus in Southington invites you to a Brooklyn Brewery Beer Dinner on January 24.  Chef Jakub Gorgon has created a Farm to Fork Menu and Johnn Williams from Brooklyn Brewing will be there to guide you through the pairings.  Tickets are $70. 

The Mohegan Sun WineFest returns!  The 4-day event kicks-off on Thursday, January 24 with “Boston Brews & Bites.”  On Friday, January 25, there will be a Bourbon Tasting presented by Beam Inc. and Bear’s Smokehouse from 6-9pm.  In addition to the main event, The Grand Tasting on Saturday, there will also be Vintage Cru presented by Bobby Flay and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around.  It concludes with the popular Sunday Brunch from 11am to 2pm on January 27.   

On Friday, January 25, the Connecticut River Museum brings back its popular Tavern Night at the museum’s historic Samuel Lay House. Enjoy a fermented cider tasting featuring Staehly Cider of East Haddam, CT, drinking songs and ballads by noted musicians Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle, historic tavern games, and a food pairing of early American cuisine provided by Catering by Selene. Additional wine and beer will be available at a cash bar. 

The Perfect Pear is demonstrating how to make Gluten-Free Cakes on Saturday January 26.  Join them from 5-6:30pm.  It costs $50 per person. 

Bartaco has a new #bartacosecret taco.  The Crispy Brussels Sprouts taco has honey and chipotle glazed crispy brussels sprouts served on a bed of spicy curry, carrot puree, and garnished with candied pepitas and pickled onions.  

Two Roads is releasing Igor’s Dream on Saturday January 26!  Doors open at 10am.

The Taste of Fairfield WinterFest 2019 in Fairfield takes place at the Brooklawn Country Club on Sunday January 27.  The event brings together restaurants, markets, vintners, distillers, and brewers and also includes music, standup comedy, bowling, and roving entertainment.  It starts at noon. 

On January 30th, discover new flavors, made by small batch producers from dairies across America! Dom’s Cheese Shop will have guests sampling five American artisanal cheeses, with locally produced tasty pairings and five wines specially chosen to complement them - a professional sommelier from Bottle Stop Wine & Spirit Superstore will lead us in how to choose the perfect wine for each cheese. Space is very limited, so reserve your spot and purchase your tickets now! It will be an evening of learning and laughs! Tickets here.