Booze and love are in the air! Austin’s February food events are focused mostly on romance and liquid love. Here’s a round-up of city food events I’ll be attending this month:
Garrison Brothers Distillery Sit and Sip Tours – times and dates vary
If you haven’t been out to Hye, Texas, to tour the Garrison Brothers Distillery, February is the time to go. The weather is usually gorgeous and the rolling hills of the Texas countryside are unexpectedly romantic. The distillery is also in the midst of bottling its spring 2014 release all month long. David and I like to go to the Hill Country to celebrate Valentine’s Day and we always make a point to stop by the distillery for a new bottle and a tour when we pass through Hye. Tours are limited to just 28 people, and I recommend arriving early in the day before it gets too crowded. Tours are at 10:00 a.m., noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations are required for Saturdays, and tickets are $20 on Saturdays, $10 all other days.
Antonelli’s “Love Stinks” Tasting of Washed Rind Cheeses – February 12 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cheese tastings at Antonelli’s are so much fun. The class size is small, and tickets are usually under $40– totally worth it for an engaging evening of adventurous cheese and conversation. I’m not sure whether I’ll attend this class or one of the less stinky options later in the month!
Green Gate Farms “Weed Dating” Pot Luck – February 15 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Nothing says “true love” like getting your hands dirty. Green Gate farms is hosting the creatively named “Weed Dating” work day and singles mixer potluck the day after Valentine’s. Get to know like-minded Austinites and enjoy Skip and Erin’s charming family farm at this free event just a few minutes outside Austin. This is the farm’s second annual event, and I can’t imagine a better way to meet a new sweetie if you’re in the market for one. Local culinary talent Kate Payne is hosting a ticketed lacto-fermentation workshop at the farm after the potluck.
The Official Drink of Austin – February 20 – 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
If memory serves, Houston Eaves last took the “Official Drink of Austin” title back in 2011 when Edible Austin hosted this event with David Alan (Tipsy Texan) as part of Eat Drink Local Week. This year Austin Food and Wine Alliance has partnered with Alan to host the competition at the AT&T Conference Center on the UT Campus. They’ve lined up impressive roster of competitors including teams from nearly every one of the city’s most influential cocktail bars. Local restaurants will be on hand with solid food to help balance out all those libations. Greenling (disclosure: my employer) will be hosting a fan favorite competition, so you have an excuse to try every drink at least once. Tickets are $65 with proceeds benefitting the Food & Wine Alliance’s culinary grant program.
Bacon and Beer Festival – February 22 – 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Bacon and beer are the low-hanging fruits of food events right now. It’s hard to imagine ingredients guaranteed to draw a bigger crowd, which makes the cliche name and concept of Edible Austin’s latest venture forgivable. Chefs from over 30 local restaurants will be cooking — you guessed it — bacon, and Texas breweries will be on hand serving up suds. Tickets are $40 although, inexplicably, beer samples will set you back an additional $5 at the event. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Capitol Area Food Bank.