CT Food News: BBQ, Wieners, Oysters, Live Music, Beer + Wine – 8/7/15

August? When did that happen? No need to worry, though, OmNomivores . . . there’s still a crazy load of things to do here in Fairfield County and beyond to help stretch out your summer! So, come along with us and check out a boatload of food-centric events to check out, places to drink, things to drink, and news on drinks, too. Thanks for reading . . . 

8/7 Happy Hour has been reinvented at Westport Playhouse starting at 6:30 today for anyone under the age of 35. For just $25 you’ll get a Happy Hour party, bites from The Spread in SoNo, frozen custard samples from Shake Shack, live music from PJ Pacifico, a chance to win dinner for two at Bartaco, and your ticket to watch Love & Money at 8 pm. This is just about the most killer deal ever. 

8/7 The Danbury Farmers’ Market is back in action from 11-5 at Kennedy Park. They’ll have plenty of farm fresh veggies, fruits, meats, and even baked goodies.

8/7-9 Ruff’s Wood Fire Pizza will be at Two Roads Brewery today, Farmboys Smokin’ BBQ will be there on Saturday, and Have a Ball will be slinging balls on Sunday so make sure to get your nom and drink on.

8/8 Speaking of BBQ, there’s a Beer & BBQ Festival going down at Bricks & Barley Tavern in Shelton. Tickets are $25 and that includes unlimited samples from 13 breweries, music from four bands, and a plate of BBQ! Get your tickets right at the bar and know that a portion of the sales will go right to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

8/12 It’s a Grand Summer Night in Stamford from 5:30-10 to benefit the amazing Art in Public Places out door sculpture exhibits. You’ll start with Hors d’oeuvre and cocktails, will move into a silent auction, and will have a chance at winning some door prizes. Then, starting at 7:30, you’ll head to one of the participating restaurants for a killer dinner. Tickets are $125. 

8/14 Funk on the Farm hits up Common Ground at 358 Springtide Avenue in New Haven. Out the Boxx will be funking you up that day from 6-8:30 pm. You can bring your own dinner or purchase what you’d like from Ay Arepa!, The Meat Truck, or Smoothie Whirled. Also, feel free to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets, too. 

8/15 The 9th Annual Shoreline Wine Festival is happening at Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market and Winery in Guilford from 12-7. VIP tix are $66, Adult tix are $33, and DD tix are just $11. 

8/15 The Milford Oyster Festival is happening, people! Did you know that they have the largest variety of oysters at any festival in the US: 19 total! In addition, entry for the 10-6 event is free. There will be plenty of other food choices available, too, in the food tent, so come hungry. Plus, be ready to listen to some music with the Gin Blossoms, Fastball, and The Rembrandts playing! 

8/15 The Mighty Ploughboys are playing Two Steps Danbury live, starting at 10 pm. Do it!

8/15-16 Since 1977, The SoNo Arts Celebration has been happening, and there’s a reason why: it’s seriously kickass. Not only will every kind of art imaginable be on display, but there will also be plenty of chances to nom away on food with food trucks and restaurants feeding ya.

Salsa Picante in Port Chester features all you can eat tacos on Monday and Tuesday nights for just $14.95. BOOM! 

Get down to Bridge Street Wienery in Stamford STAT for Nana’s Mac Dog. That’s a wiener with homemade mac and cheese, bacon, and hot say e served on their grilled hot dog roll. Oh hell yes.

Tautoug Tavern has plenty of live music starting tomorrow with Anthony Truglio and Bobby Fiorito, 8/7 with Jaws 2, 8/13 with Nick Spavaro, and 8/14 with Glenbrook Road.

If you live anywhere near Manchester, then you’re in luck because Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes is setting up shop. More details soon.

Skinny Pines mobile pizza is looking for some help this fall. If you’re interested, e-mail Jeff Borofsky. No pizza experience is required, but a love of all things local is a must!

CT Beer News and Events

8/8 Starting at 4 pm,  Local SoNo will be tapping into Captain’s Daughter, Sorachi Ale, Lunch, and Mo!

8/11 Eli Cannon’s has a tap takeover of New England Brewing, so get ready! We’re talking about Sea Hag, 668, Gandhi-Bot, Coriolis, Galaxy Pale Ale, Weiss Trash Culture, 2014 Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout Trooper, Pink Boots IPA, Fat-10-er 8, and a special cask of Nelson Sauvin Drop Hopped Galaxy.

8/12 Dogfish Head tap takeover at Cask Republic Stamford from 6-12:55! They’ll have Chocolate Lobster, Ta Henket, Theobroma, 61 Minute, Midas Touch, Noble Rot, 2013 World Wide Stout, 2011 Red & White, 2013 Old School Barleywine, 2010 Immort Ale, and a 2011 120 Minute IPA!

8/13 Craft Beer Cellar in West Hartford is celebrating their official ribbon cutting with food and a beer tasting with the people from Grey Sail Brewing! It all goes down from 5:30-7:30!

8/19 KBS. On tap. Barley Vine in Bristol. 

Firefly Hollow Brewing in Bristol has expanded capacity even more with 2 new 20 barrel fermenters! You know what that means, right? Those Coneflakes DIPA cans will sure be pumped out a lot easier now. So stoked.

And, speaking of Firefly Hollow, an episode of Where We Live was recorded at the brewery. It will air today at 9 am and will repeat at 7 pm. 

Too soon? Back East Brewing has tapped their Octoberfest beer and will be selling it in six packs in the next few weeks. You’ll also find this beer on tap at your local watering hole soon.

Still too soon? Two Roads has released their Roadsmary’s Baby! For some pumpkin beer, we’d mind . . . but for this one: we don’t mind at all. We love it! Also keep an eye out for their excellent Via Cordis Abbey Blonde.

Stony Creek Beer has released Crum at their brewery this week. It’s their seasonal beer that is an apple cider brewed with oats and has juicy hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Find it in stores starting next week.