Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) Beginning July 9th, the Forge & Vine at The Groton Inn launches a Summer event series, including the following three events:

Beer Garden at Gibbet Hill Featuring Lone Pine Brewing Company
Tuesday, July 9th, from 5pm-7pm.
Cost: $45/person - includes pint glass to take home. You receive 4 beers with a selection of 6 small plates.
For one night only, Forge & Vine will convert its outdoor green overlooking picturesque Gibbet Hill into a lively Beer Garden courtesy of Portland, Maine’s Lone Pine Brewing Company. For $45 per person, guests can play corn hole while enjoying a selection of small plates by Executive Chef Patrick Basset and a sampling of four different seasonal brews - including The Brightside IPA, T-Shirt Cannon IPA, The Portland Pale Ale and Tess Ellation Double IPA. Small plates include classic Bavarian Beer Garden favorites like Soft Pretzels with honey mustard, Bacon Beer Cheese Profiteroles and an IPA Vanilla Cupcake. In addition, guests will take home a signature Long Pine Brewery pint glass.

Spiked Seltzer Fiesta on the Green Featuring High Noon Hard Seltzer
Tuesday, July 16th, from 5pm-7pm
Cost: $25/person - including spiked seltzer tasting and 5 small plates
As we head into the heat of the summer, Forge & Vine invites diners to cool off on the green with a complementary refreshing (and fizzy!) tasting of ice cold Spiked Seltzer courtesy of High Noon Hard Seltzer. For $25, guests will enjoy a selection of small plates such as Jerk Chicken with a pineapple salsa, Shrimp Ceviche and a Passion Fruit Pannacotta with a sampling of the brand’s line of Sun Sip Vodka Sodas including grapefruit, pineapple, black cherry and watermelon - a great way to chill out and toast the summer with friends and neighbors.

Four Seasons Wine Dinner by Carolina Wine & Spirits
Thursday, July 25th, from 6pm-8pm
Cost: Four-Courses including wine - $85/person
Forge & Vine invites diners to join them on the beautiful Four Seasons patio for a four-course seasonal wine dinner hosted by Carolina Wine & Spirits. Led by Carolina Wine Specialist Sue Nordberg, guests will explore and learn about a selection of seasonal wines paired with four-courses crafted by Executive Chef Patrick Bassett. See below for the full menu with list of pairings. *pairings subject to change*

Menu
Spicy Tomato Gazpacho (Jonah Crab Salad, Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil Oil)
Domaine LaRoque Rosé, France
Roasted Beet Tartare (Aged Balsamic, Ricotta Salata, Orange)
Wither Hills Pinot Noir, New Zealand
Potato Crusted Halibut (Summer Vegetable Ratatouille, Wilted Farm Greens, Fire Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette)
MacRostie Chardonnay, California
Dessert
Sweet Corn Cake (Grilled Peaches, Whipped Sorghum, Candied Bacon)
Ascheri Moscato d’Asti, Italy

For more info on Forge & Vine, check out my prior review.