Splashy Summer Sipping

Varying dates at Twisted Irons Brewery in Newark

The brewery is hosting a number of events now through fall, including their Kickoff to Summer 5K on Saturday, June 24 and their 2nd Annual CANCER SUCKS! Benefit on Saturday, Sept. 23 — both in support of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Twisted’s summer days are also filled with open mic nights, live music, food trucks, and more! More info at TwistedIronsBrewery.com.

The fledgling Wilmington Whiskey Club began in the spring of 2021 — smack in the middle of COVID — as a way to socialize, engage in community activities, and share an appreciation of whiskey. The concept struck a chord as two years later the club boasts more than 50 members, meets monthly and is planning a Gatsby Gala for Oct. 28 (see feature story on WWC, page 41). New members are welcome. More at WilmingtonWhiskeyClub.com.

July 27, Aug. 24 & Sept. 22 at Penn Cinema Riverfront

Merging classic movies, craft beers and charitable causes, Movies On Tap is now in its eighth year. On Thursday, July 27, Monty Python is the featured film with Dew Point Brewing Co. the partner brewery. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Delaware. Thursday, Aug. 24 will feature Beverly Hills Cop to benefit Save Mickey. And Friday, Sept. 22 MOT will be showing Grease with proceeds benefiting Gals That Give. The partner breweries for the last two events mentioned are to be announced. Tickets and more at PennCinema.com.

Thursdays, July-Sept., 5-7pm. in Wilmington

Roll through a family-friendly, casual eve at the Brandywine Zoo’s monthly happy hour series. Adult bevvies are poured by Bellefonte Brewing and Dogfish Head, as well as wine and food from local vendors and ice cream from Hy-Point, highlighted by zoo animal encounters, live music, and plenty fun for all. More at BrandywineZoo.org.

July 28, Aug 25 and Sept 29 at Peco’s Liquors

The success of this long-standing series could be the product of its bread-and-butter simplicity: Match quality area food trucks with free in-store samples and pairings. On the last Friday of each month, guests can sample new releases will grabbing a bit from some of the area’s most popular food trucks, including Burgers By Wildwich, Delaware Provisions and Kapow!

The creative team at nearby Victory Brewing (Downingtown & Kennett Square, Pa.) have come up with a refreshing summer ale, Motel Paloma. This cocktail-inspired brew has notes of bright grapefruit, blood orange and tang lime. The hops used are mandarina; the ABV is 5%.

Chichester’s 2SP Brewing is back with a summer favorite —

Saturday, July 29 at Newark Eateries

Now in its 19th year, this annual festival celebrates “the unique relationship between the culinary arts and the brewing sciences.” More than 50 beers will be paired with creative food offerings from a dozen Newark restaurants. Beer tastings and special menus begin at noon and run until 7pm. More at NewarkFoodAndBrewFest.com.

Varying dates in Wilmington

Faire has opened an outdoor seating space for guests to enjoy libations as early as 9am Tuesday through Saturday (no judgment here). Girard Craft and Cork offers Free Friday Tastings at the adjacent 9th Street shop, and wine lovers can join the Unrivaled Society of Spirits subscription for special selections and discounts. More information at fairecafe. com and GirardCraftAndCork.com.

Philly-based Yards Brewing is boasting the “summer’s perfect pilsner,” with High Dive. Pilsners are enjoying growing popularity nationwide, especially during summer when many prefer a a lighter beer that’s crisp and clean. High Dive checks that box and has an ABV of just 4.8%.

Wednesdays (5-8pm) through August

Previously named Bike & Hike & Brews, Hagley Museum & Library continues to open its sprawling 235-acre property for guests to enjoy on Wednesday evenings through August. You do not need to bike or hike to participate, simply show up and enjoy the gorgeous grounds along with live music, food trucks, craft beer and cocktails from Dogfish Head, and ice cream from Woodside Farm Creamery. And in response to popular demand, dogs are now welcome for every Summer Nights affair. More at Hagley.org.

Saturday, Aug. 26, 7-11pm. in Wilmington

Join in the fun at Stitch House Brewery’s second annual Frank-A-Palooza, in honor of their late colleague Frank Kaszeta. Music by Kris V and Richie D, plus games, raffles, drink and food specials will be in abundance, and all proceeds benefit the Delaware Ronald McDonald House. More at StitchHouseBrewery.com.

Saturday, August 26, 4-7:30pm in Dover

As the only statewide celebration of the craft alcohol industry, this annual festival celebrates producers on the Delaware Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail. Continue the tradition at the Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village with a wide selection of tastings, live music, food trucks and an artisan village. VIP and general admission options available. Lyric Drive (4-5:30pm) and Earth Ham (67:30pm) will provide the tunes. More at DeBeerWineSpirits.com.

Saturday, August 5 (noon-4pm)

Just over the Pa. border on Route 202 is a gold mine, where beer lovers can find stuff not available in Delaware. For their 40th Anniversary Party, Brewers Outlet will be offering beer sampling, giveaways, food and other specials.

State Line

Liquors, which is minutes from Newark on Newark-Elkton Rd. and boasts one of the most robust beer inventories around, has a great program for those interested in sampling. Every Wednesday, customers can select a single craft, import beer, cider or mead and get 20% off. Cost-conscious way of determining whether you like a product before springing for a six-pack or case. More at StateLineLiquors.com.

2SP has just come out with this hazy IPA made with wakatau and mosaic hops. Sidestream features a juicy, earthy sweet floral character underscored by tropical fruit aromas. Grab one soon as Sidestream is a highly-limited release limited to select retails and 2SP Group restaurants.

Ready-to-drink canned cocktails is one of the fastest-growing alcohol segments and Dogfish Head Distilling is all in with its Crush variety pack. The pack features two vodka crushes, a gin crush and a rum crush — with two full proof shots in every can. The Dogfish Crush checks in at 7% ABV.

Saturday, Sept 19, noon-5:30pm in Odessa

As a festival that celebrates both history and beer, it appears the Historic Odessa Brewfest has earned its own place in the books. Each year on the first Saturday after Labor Day, some of the best craft breweries in the region come to show off tasty brews. Proceeds support the Historic Odessa Foundation. More at OdessaBrewfest.com.

The trend of combining beers with various cocktails continues this season with three area highlights: (1) The Repeal of Prohibition, with Bulleit and 21st Ammendement’s Hell or High Watermelon Wheat served at Tyler’s in Pike Creek; (2) The Delaware Margarita, also with Hell or High Watermelon Wheat, but mixed with Dano’s Dangerous Tequila; (3) and The Aperol Spritz at Dorcea, a combo of Brooklyn Brewery Bel Air Sour and Aperol.

Varying dates in Wilmington

Frank’s is busy this summer with in-shop charity events. The first is Monday, July 10 benefitting Rotarians of Brandywine Naamans; the next is Monday, July 31 with proceeds going to Delaware Special Olympics. Each boasts multiple beer, wine, and bubbly stations and their popular barNA for ZeroProof libations. On Thursday, Aug. 24, FranksWine Downhill Mile runs through Rockford Park and then to Frank’s for post-race fun. Finally, on Sunday, Sept. 17, Frank’s honors the waning days of sun with Last Sips of Summer — an epic event of 30 vendors pouring wines, beers, and spirits, live music, and food trucks. All proceeds benefit West Side Grows. Details at FranksWine.com.