This Week in Gluttony

Brewery grand opening and BBQ battle top best food events in Dallas this week

This week’s food events roundup is booze-heavy, filled with beer, wine and more beer. But alcohol keeps you hydrated, right?

Okay, so it’s not all boozy. Also on the list this week: a date-night Japanese cooking class, a spring dinner and a barbecue battle for charity. How’s that for variety?

Wednesday, April 22

California Wine Tasting at the Dean’s List
Join the Dean’s List for this tasting of six great California red wines from regions such as Sonoma and the Central Coast. It runs 6:30-8:30 pm, and costs only $15 to attend. RSVP is required.

Dogfish Head Beer Dinner at Meddlesome Moth
Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione hosts this beer dinner with a TBD menu; however, we do know that you can choose from more than 30 DFH beers on draught. Tickets are $85.

Le Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux Grand Tasting at The Tower at Cityplace
For one night only, 36 of the best Bordeaux wineries treat Dallasites to an exclusive unveiling of their most prized vintages. Speak to respected winemakers, explore and sample some of the finest wines from that region, and nosh on cheese and charcuterie. The event runs from 6-8 pm. Tickets are $40.

Thursday, April 23

A Celebration of Spring Wine Dinner at Max’s Wine Dive Fort Worth
Chef Stefon Rishel whips up a multicourse meal highlighting spring ingredients. Dishes include crudo of geoduck, asparagus soup, sweetbreads and citrus frozen yogurt. The dinner is $85 per person and begins at 7 pm. Call 817-870-1100 for reservations.

Lakewood Brewing Co. Dinner at Grain
The restaurant at the Park Cities Hilton is getting into the beer-dinner game with this inaugural event featuring Lakewood Brewing. The meal includes four courses — braised quail cake, candied goat cheese salad, espresso and Temptress-braised short ribs, and poached pears — paired with Lakewood beers. Cost is $50 per person, and dinner starts at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required.

Friday, April 24

Big D BBQ Battle at Valley View Center
This foodie throwdown features loads of ’cue, beer from Four Corners Brewing Co. and live music by Hudson Moore. Teams prepare brisket and ribs from Local Yocal Farm to Market to compete for bragging rights for best-tasting barbecue. Tickets costs $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The event kicks off at 5 pm and benefits North Texas Food Bank and Cafe Momentum.

Grapevine Craft Brewery Beer Dinner at Cook Hall
Paired with Grapevine brew is a four-course bounty that includes shrimp, tuna and scallop ceviche; corn-goat cheese soup; spice rub New York strip; and churros with goat’s milk cajeta. Dinner starts at 7 pm and costs $55 per person. Call 214-397-4111 for reservations.

Japanese Cuisine Date Night at Sur la Table
You and your squeeze learn alongside other students as a chef instructor teaches you about ingredients common in Japanese cuisine and what to do with them. You also learn tips and techniques so you can cook restaurant-quality dishes in no time. Cost is $79 per person, and the class runs from 8-10 pm.

Saturday, April 25

Grand Opening Celebration at Texas Ale Project
Come drink with the Texas Ale Project folks as they tap the Fire Ant Funeral, Somethin’ Shady, 50 FT Jackrabbit and Naked Truth. The fun starts with a 2 pm VIP entry; general admission begins at 3, as does Madison King and band. A Texas big hair and mustache competition follows at 4:15 pm; J. Charles and the Train Robbers take the stage at 4:45. Food trucks provide the vittles. Tickets start at $20.

There are a couple of wine tastings this week too.

issaquah360.com

There are a couple of wine tastings this week too.

unspecified

A Toast

Dallas distiller launches zero-proof liquor line and hosting accessories

Photo courtesy of Teaspoon

It's the brand's first line of non-alcoholic beverages.

The zero-proof liquor movement keeps gaining momentum, and the latest to take a seat at the bar is Teaspoon, from the Dallas-based Dynasty Spirits.

The brand's first line of non-alcoholic whiskey, tequila, gin, and "Italian Spritz" (comparable to the main ingredient in a certain bright-orange cocktail) are already available for shipping nationwide, and the company promises they will be carried by more than 400 Texas retailers by year's end. Each 700ml bottle is priced at $32.99.

“Teaspoon was born from a simple belief: that the drink in your hand should match the moment you’re in,” says founder Devin Odell. “Teaspoon isn’t just zero-proof spirit alternatives, it’s a statement. It offers a fresh option for those who expect more from what’s in their glass: more flavor, more intention, more celebration.”

For the mocktail connoisseurs out there, here's a quick overview of each bottle's tasting notes:

The zero-proof whiskey has cherry, vanilla, caramel, and citrus zest on the nose. The palate opens with a bourbon-style sweetness and finishes dry and peppery.
The zero-proof tequila has the aroma of cracked black pepper with hints of pineapple and guava, and tastes of fresh bell pepper up front. Citrus mid-notes add brightness and it's rounded off with a lightly sweet oak finish.
The zero-proof gin's nose brings lemon zest and elderflower, and its taste is dry and herbal like a true London Dry gin.
The zero-proof Italian Spritz balances sweet red licorice and bitter orange peel on the nose. The palate starts with orange-candy brightness and progresses to juicy grapefruit before finishing with a lingering herbal bitterness.

The name Teaspoon is reflective of the culinary measuring tool's history, and how the gilt silver spoons were once prized by England's upper crust due to the initial rarity of tea imported from Asia.

The Texas-born Odell founded Dynasty Spirits in 2010, and the brand's portfolio currently includes Pezuña Blanca tequila, Townes vodka, Green House vodka and gin, Lasso Motel whiskey, and Painted Donkey tequila.

Launching in tandem with Teaspoon’s non-alcoholic beverages is a collection of custom retail products in collaboration with Marcello Andres, Shelton Metal, Tom Adam, Match 1995, A Bientot, WP Standard, and more. Currently, that includes linen cocktail napkins, glassware, and a set of artful pewter teaspoons, each representing a different zero-proof liquor.

Dallasites can taste and shop at Teaspoon's launch event: November 6 at at the Shop Swoon boutique inside the Joule Hotel. Bottles will be available for purchase there through November 9.

zero proof liquor cocktails zero proof spirits zero proof whiskey zero proof gin zero proof tequila mocktails non-alcoholic