BY THE GLASS
Sample beers of the season at 'Winter Blues'
Beer meister Andy Baker's November Hops and Grinds event is titled "Winter Blues" and showcases the malty, dark, rich beers of the holiday season. Case in point: Santa's Private Reserve from Rogue Ales in Newport, Ore., which Baker says is made in the English style of "celebration ales," designed for cold weather. Despite our lack of a true winter, he says, we can still enjoy the brew, paired with the heavier foods of the season.
Also to be sampled are pearies (pear cider) and apple ciders, which are, Baker says, also alcoholic. "Absolutely."
A pupu buffet and blues music are included.
Hops and Grinds takes place 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Willows, 901 Hausten St. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Buy them at The Liquor Collection, Wine Stop, Tamura's Kaimuki or call the Willows, 952-9200.
COMING UP
Shrimp trucks gather for Seafood Festival
For many shrimp lovers, no trip to the North Shore is complete without a stop at one of the shrimp trucks for a plate of garlic-laden, chili-pepper-topped or just plain steamed crustaceans.
Friday's Seafood Festival at Turtle Bay Resort turns this habit into a party. From 6 to 8:30 p.m., five shrimp trucks will be gathered together, serving their versions of the shrimp plate. Wash it all down with Sam Choy's Big Aloha Brewery beers.
The festival continues from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday with the Sam Choy Poke Festival, with all the competing blends available for sampling. Choy takes the stage for a celebrity challenge at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $35 per event. Call 293-6000.