Get Your Tickets for Thrillist's Taco Knockout this Saturday--Unlimited Tacos, Cervezas and Churros!

Still looking for ways to fill your Cinco de Mayo weekend? I know a place where you can stuff your face with tacos, cocktails and cervezas in addition to help select the next belt-winning taco chef.

Thrillist is hosting their annual Taco Knockout this Saturday May 2 from 2-5 pm at Tequila Park Taqueria at the Hudson Hotel (356 W 58th Street @ Columbus). There are 2 ticket options: general ($65) which comes with unlimited tacos, cervezas, and churros as well as 1 custom cocktail and especial ($80) which adds on early entry (1pm) as well as one additional custom cocktail. Pretty much no matter how you shake it, it's an amazing deal.

Last year's event looked like a fine fiesta--and featured taco flavors like sriracha lamb and duck chorizo--so I can't wait to see what they cook up this year. I'll be there with my taco hat on so come say hi if you decide to spend your afternoon feasting al fresco with Thrillist!

Down Some Brews with Flying Dog

If you consider yourself a beer connoisseur, I'd highly recommend you check out the Flying Dog Brewery event taking place at Clinton Hall this Tuesday 4/22 from 7-10.

If you go, you will be one of the few to enjoy the incredible and rare 9.5% Barrel-Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter from the Maryland brewery. It is aged 180 days in whiskey barrels, which results in vanilla notes and whiskey warmth to compliment the sweet chocolate flavor and velvety texture. You will also be one of the first to try the new 10% Amarillo Single Hop Imperial IPA. This is brewed all for the hops, with a light malt backbone showcasing the floral, spice, citrus and sharp hop bite of Amarillo!

The event is free, but pay as you eat/drink, with new specials released every half hour including:

• El Dorado Single Hop Imperial IPA - aromas of dried apricot and pineapple
• Brewhouse Rarity Mint Chocolate Stout - made with brewery-grown mint, with more cocoa and peppermint. Sweet, minty and creamy!
• GABF Gold-Medal winning Horn Dog Barleywine - 10% alcohol!
• Kujo Coffee Stout - brewed with flaked oats
• Doggie Style pale ale - in a live cask on the bar with a very special prize going to the person who taps the last glass

RSVP here to save your spot!

Beer & Bites Times Two

Tomorrow, 3/25, is a big day for beer pairing dinners at two fantabulous venues with menus and prices so amazing we just had to share:

The Bell's Brewery Beer Dinner
Snowdonia - 34-55 32nd St, Astoria

For only $45 you will receive a 3-course meal featuring oxtail lasagna...Mmmmmmmm!...with each course paired with a beer from the Midwestern brewery. Snowdonia is an awesome new gastropub that opened recently in my neighborhood, but just because it's in Astoria doesn't mean they don't totally know what they are doing. This is an excellent opportunity to break out of your comfort zone and try something new! Seatings are at 7 and 9:30 and can be reserved with a $15 nonrefundable deposit.

Sam Adams Beer Dinner

David Burke at Bloomingdales - 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street

The iconic department store restaurant has joined forces with the classic New England brewery to offer a 4-course meal in conjunction with the Art of Shaving. Roasted duck and a chocolate panna cotta martini are on the $65 menu, with each course paired with an all-American brew. This is sure to be a culinary treat.

Get Your Drink and Sweets On

So many of my favorite things (beer, dessert, and the rooftop at Hotel Chantelle) are combining for an awesome event: Beer et Bonne Bouche: A Beer & Dessert Experience is a project of both Braving the Brew and Sugartooth Tours (more to come on them soon hopefully!) with the goal of teaching you how to pair decadent sweets with your favorite pints.

Tickets are $55 per person or $90 per couple and can be purchased here. The event will be held this Tuesday 3/11 at 7:30pm. The rooftop at Hotel Chantelle is one of my favorite places--whimsical and calming, yet trendy and happening. I highly recommend you check it out!

AWESOME ALERT: $35 All You Can Eat and Drink Party Celebrating Astoria

One of my favorite local blogs, WeHeartAstoria, conducts a best of Astoria survey every year (a real resource for me my first year living in Queens!). This year, they are throwing a party to celebrate the results!

At $35 a head, this all-you-can-eat AND all-you-can-drink deal at The Strand Smokehouse is one of the best deals I've seen all year. Also, the first 100 people will receive Astoria-themed gift bags! This is all going down from 6-9pm on Thursday 3/27. Click here to purchase tickets. I'm sure they'll sell out!

Holiday Cheers!

The Village Voice and their events team is at it again. If you're someone who takes holiday drinking a bit classier than a peppermint patty shot (although you have to admit those are darn delicious), be sure to check out the Holiday Spirits Tasting Event happening tomorrow night at Studio Square in Long Island City.

Of course I love that the venue is a hop, skip and a jump from my digs in Astoria, but if you've never visited the "new beer garden," you're in for a treat. In addition to their large patio, Studio Square has a fairly large 2-story indoor space which will feature drinks from more than 25 local wineries, breweries, distilleries, and specialty liquor makers. There will also be hors d'oeuvres and music all night.

General admission tickets are $50 (update: use coupon code THANKS for $25 tickets) and will be available at the door. VIP tickets are $70 and will let you in an hour earlier than everyone else and you will take home a commemorative wine tote with event goodies. Everyone will be able to take home their tasting glass as well, and ticket fees will partially support the ASPCA.

Details:

Studio Square

35-44 37th Street

Long Island City, Queens 11106

Thursday Dec. 5

General Admission: 7:30-10:30

VIP Entry at 6:30

Purchase tickets here.

Savor That Craft Beer

I don't know if the concept of 'craft beer' is really all that new or if it just seems to be getting a lot more press in recent years, but either way, we think it's awesome. With all of the craft beer festivals popping up all over the place, these unique libations have many pedestals to stand on. The latest event to hit the Big Apple, presented by the Brewers Association, is Savor: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience taking place this weekend June 14-15 at the Altman Building and Metropolitan Pavillion.

The event comes to NYC after five consecutive years in the nation’s capital. Attendees will enjoy beers from 76 small and independent U.S. breweries, hailing from 31 different states and representing all regions of the country. Along with tasting some of the finest craft beers, attendees will enjoy a diverse array of food pairings designed by Chef Adam Dulye, co-owner/chef of San Francisco’s The Monk’s Kettle and James Beard Award-semifinalist Abbot’s Cellar, in collaboration with a panel of chefs and Cicerones. Sonnier & Castle will serve as the event caterer.

Savor will also feature salons each of the nights focusing on specific beer concepts such as:

• Cajun and Creole Artisanal Foods and Bieres in Quadraphonic Sensaround
• West Coast Beer, East Coast Food
• Blending Barrel Aged Sour Beers
• Several Shades of Lager: An Exploration and Explanation of Lager Beers

For tickets, click here. See you there this weekend. I hope you're ready to get your drink on!