12 Beers of Christmas
Where: Waypoint Public, 3794 30th St., North Park, 619.255.8778
When: Dec. 12 thru Dec. 23
Waypoint has been one of the better arrivals in San Diego, filling the big shoes left by The Linkery at their marquee corner location in North Park. Owner Brian Jensen got his start with the craft beer shop, Bottlecraft, and thus Waypoint has become the industry’s R&D lab for food-beer pairings under chef Amanda Baumgarten. For the “12 Days of Christmas,” they’ll pair a different dish each day with a select seasonal beer. For instance, one day a pretzel stuffed with duck and gouda cheese will pair with Santa’s Little Helper, a bourbon barrel-aged Russian Imperial stout from Port Brewing Company.
Cost: Varies
Green Flash Supper Club
Where: Green Flash Brewing Co., 6550 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa, 858.622.0085
When: Dec. 15, 6:30PM-8:30PM
One of San Diego’s top breweries has a success on its hands with the monthly supper club series. They basically line up the long kings-style tables in the tasting room and invite a chef to collaborate on a beer dinner. This time it’s chef Anthony Carlos from Hillcrest’s sausage joint, Salt & Cleaver. The pairings for the five-course menu will include tortellini and beets with Belgian Pale Ale, duck and bacon terrine with with red wine barrel-aged Le Freak, black bass cioppino with Le Freak, lamb pancetta risotto with double-red IPA, and a ginger-snap cranberry crumble with a cask double stout. Prior to the dinner, there will be a “Grand Marketplace” featuring 20 locals selling their handmade goods so you can knock out your Christmas list and buy local in one spot.
Cost: $60
Farmers, Friends and Fishermen
Where: The Red Door, 741 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, 619.295.6000
When: Jan. 15, 5:30PM
The Red Door owners Tom and Trish Watlington are doing really good things for the progressive food in San Diego. A cozy little bistro (once home to Parallel 33) has their own garden for produce and buys food based on humane/sustainable practices of the growers/ranchers/fishermen. Basically, they’re urging diners to reconnect to the people who actually make food. To that end, the Farmers, Friends and Fishermen will bring the owners of El Campito Farms, Cook Pigs Ranch and fisherman Dan Major for a dinner. You’ll mix over drinks, talk food. Then Red Door exec chef Karrie Hills and guest chef Flor Franco (Zarco) will cook a five-course meal with whatever El Campito is currently growing, Cook Pigs is raising, and Major is catching off the coast. All courses will be paired with Baja wines curated by Fernando Gaxiola of Baja Wine + Food.
Cost: $80
The Best Food & Drink Events This Month: December 2014-January 2015
Green Flash Supper Club
