Aspetuck Brew Lab Beer Preview: Expect Great Things for Their November Opening in Black Rock

Before and after. The first shot is from our visit in July, while the second shot is from Peter this past Friday.

It’s fun to make friends in the beer world . . . because the beer world employs some of the coolest, down-to-earth, nicest peeps we’ve ever met. Case in point: Peter Cowles and Tara Kasaks Cowles from Aspetuck Brew Lab (see all the background details in our February post).

It all started with a casual conversation at Harbor Brew Fest 2014 where they were sampling some of their brews. After a little bit of talk about the CT beer scene, we learned about their plans to open up in Fairfield (plans would change when they found a Black Rock spot).

For that traditional Hibachi experience, check out Hana Tokyo in Fairfield, CT

We have to admit, we don’t get out for Hibachi very often. Ok, very often is an understatement . . .  we’ve actually only ever been once before in our entire lives, just a few years ago. Sure, it can be kitschy, but with the right group of people and a fun, talented Hibachi chef, a little kitsch can be a whole lotta fun! I mean where else can you see a knife and fire show, get food thrown at you, and have alcohol poured directly in your mouth without getting kicked out? And while you’re not going to get a fancy gourmet meal served in tiny portions on exquisite plates, you sure can get yourself some tasty, traditional Asian favorites that fill your belly for hours to come! So it was for these reasons we were excited to take Hana Tokyo up on their offer to enjoy their Hibachi experience with a couple of friends of ours.

Taste of Black Rock 2015 ft. Local Restaurants, Wine + Beer from Harry’s

The Burroughs Community Center in Black Rock is celebrating another year of bringing the community together via workshops, experiences, workshops, and gallery showings with the Taste of Black Rock annual party. This year, the party goes on from 7:30-10 pm on 2/7 right the Burroughs Community Center at 2470 Fairfield Avenue. Tickets cost $35 in advance or are $45 at the door. Your ticket will not only help to support the great work of this vital community center, but will also getcha:

Pizza Oven Takeover: Brick + Wood Announces Chef Series ft. Local Area Chefs

Brick + Wood, set back off of Post Road in Fairfield, is spicing things up a bit. Starting on 2/4, they’ll be starting a guest chef series. For each night, chefs from nearby restaurants will be on hand to create a unique pie just for that night. These are events that you definitely don’t want to miss!

Here’s the schedule:

(Om + Nom) x (Brick + Wood) = ♥ in Fairfield, CT

Look, there are tons of Italian restaurants in CT, especially in Fairfield County. Some of ’em you can love, some you can just like, and some you can say aren’t even as good as Olive Garden (and that’s saying something). Well, after our press dinner we think Brick + Wood, the newest Italian spot to open in Fairfield in November 2014, is one you can love. We’re gonna break down the reasons why . . .

Whole Foods Darien, Fairfield, Westport Host Giving Day for Stepping Stones Museum for Children

 

Whole Foods Darien, Fairfield, and Westport have teamed up for their latest giving day that benefits an important institution in Norwalk: Stepping Stones Museum for Children. All you need to do is buy something at any of the three grocery stores on January 13 and they’ll donate 5% of your sale right to Stepping Stones. That easy, that simple.

So, hold off on shopping today or get an early start for next week. Plus, they do have a good beer selection too, just sayin’ it might be a nice time to stock up for football playoffs. ;) 

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Here’s more about Stepping Stones Museum for Children and what they do:

Black Hog Releases THC Bravo; Tap Takeover at Craft 260 in Fairfield

Headbrewer Tyler Jones of Black Hog Brewing Co. (see our interview with Jason and our first tastes) in Oxford has been a busy little beaver. In just a few short months, he has brewed his year-round favorites, has created numerous seasonal brews made from local produce and products, and has started another series of beers called The Hop Collective.

Bodega Taco Bar Resurrects Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday that’s celebrated November 1 and 2 of each year, is a time for people to pay their respects and remember loved ones who have died. But, even though there are reflections about those who have been lost, it’s more of a celebration of life and the spirit that they’ve left behind in the world.

Keeping with that theme of celebration and remembrance, Bodega Taco Bar in Darien and Fairfield is bringing back their popular Dia de los Muertos party on November 1. In addition to muetro-fying Bodega up, you’ll also be able to check out food specials and drinks made Roca Patron tequila. (If you’ve never been to Bodega, they do tequila right, with an amazing menu. Maybe order a flight?) There will also be plenty of things to do like kids face painting and tattoo art during lunch or even learning how to create traditional sugar skull decorations used to honor the dead.

Craft 260 to Host Beer Fest w/ 11 CT Breweries to Benefit Community Plates – Fairfield, CT

Two Roads, Back East, Overshores, Black Hog, Stony Creek, Old Burnside, Thomas Hooker, Charter Oak, New England Brewing, Relic, Aspetuck Brew Lab (brewery in the works).

These local CT breweries have come together for Craft 260‘s first ever Beer Fest. The beer begins flowing at 1 pm on Sunday, November 2 up until 4 pm right in the Craft 260 parking lot. Oh, and speaking of beer, it’ll be unlimited drinking from start to finish with just a simple donation. Tover and the crew at Craft 260 are asking for at least a $15 donation that goes directly to Community Plates, the Norwalk based volunteer-driven organization who rescues food for those in need. Your donation gets you a bracelet and that bracelet gets you as many refills as you gosh darn please until 4. 

Refining the Craft of American Comfort Food @ Craft 260 in Fairfield, CT

The whole restaurant speaks to the word CRAFT, even the decor

Craft 260 has been on our to-eat list since it opened on February 13 of this year, but sometimes we’re bad bloggers and get too lazy to haul our asses up to Fairfield. It’s not that we don’t love Fairfield…we do.  In fact, it use to be our old stomping grounds. It’s just that we get sidetracked by all the nomworthy places in between here and there…like food blogger A.D.D. But, our good friends Kevin and Aly recently moved up that way, so we knew it was about time…

We weren’t sure where exactly Craft 260 was, but quickly figured out it was in that little shopping center/strip mall with Michael Gennaro’s Steakhouse, Giove’s Pizza Kitchen (No Name Pizza all day!), and a vodka bar that’s coming soon. An odd location for sure, but we weren’t going to let that deter us.