By Nanette Wiser
BREWS NEWS
Pumpkin-inspired beers rule at craft breweries this month. 3 Daughters downtown serves up American Horror Story trivia 10/12, live music Fri./Sat., musical bingo, Yoga Paws & Pints 10/20, Bonsai & Brews 10/26, Boots & Brews country line dancing 10/8, and on 10/15 @1pm, the 4th Annual Beer Olympics and Oktoberfest beer and German-style lager. The Clearwater Beach tasting room is also open. Green Bench Brewing features Kulture Tings, in collaboration with Beer Kulture, a classic, single decoction German-style Pilsner and Bayboro Brewing debuted four fall seasonal sips. In addition to BEERS, pet-friendly Pinellas Ale Works (PAWS) debuted their new food truck in September, Made Fresh Taqueria specializing in traditional Latin flavors. Their yappy hour and pet adoption/fundraisers are fur-bulous! And stop in at Hops 2.0 for pinball, Wednesday trivia, pinball, house Sangria and fall brews. Oktoberfest at Bier Boutique will break out the German food and beer. On 10/28-30, Big Storm Brewing hosts ROCKtoberfest in Williams Park DTSP featuring live music, food vendors and BSB’s beers. The 2nd Annual St. Pete Brewfest takes over the streets of Grand Central 11/4-5, taking over Coastal Creative’s two warehouses and surrounding streets. Proceeds from the festival benefit H.O.O.A.H. and Ales for A.L.S
COCKTAIL CULTURE The Saint Hotel’s 82 Degrees features craft cocktails and a hip vibe, with live music nightly and Fri.-Sun. afternoons, Monday Industry Nights and Wine Wednesday. A fantastic happy hour rocks from noon-4pm Mon.-Sat. with $5 margaritas and well pours plus four $3 domestic drafts. Get refreshed with the Freshwater Cucumber mocktail or Blackberry Bluegrass (Pinhook straight Kentucky bourbon, crème de mure, lime, blackberries, and ginger beer). Red Mesa Mercado takes over the Two Graces location next to freeFall Theater, with a full liquor bar and their jalapeno margaritas. Taverna Costale’s indoor/outdoor bar and sexy dining room may be my new fave downtown, helmed by Executive Chef Chris Ruiz serving lunch, brunch and dinner with four big screen TVs. There is a mimosa tasting board with mango and grapefruit flavors and I recommend the extraordinary cocktail list, especially the Bevanda Tiki (Plantation Three Star Rum, Plantation OFTD Rum, Montenegro Amaro, Orgeat, Citrus) or Vecchio Amore (Prosciutto Washed Woodinville Bourbon, House Fig-Maple Syrup, Black Walnut Bitters).
AUTUMN COCKTAIL We love a Washington Apple shot, straight or on the rocks. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well and pour into a shot glass. Mix 1.25 oz. Crown Royal Fine De Luxe, .25 oz. apple schnapps and 1.5 oz. cranberry juice.