Crafty fun 

Wake up and smell the beer: Brewskies for all! Aside from the amazing main events hosted by SLO Beer Week (see this week’s featured Flavor story), there’s plenty of cool partner events to check out, too. Don’t miss a Brewery Banquet Dinner held at Libertine Brewing Co. (Oct. 19) featuring astounding grub from Sidecar, a Pitchers and Pies event at Gino’s Pizza featuring Pizza Port brews (Oct. 20), a Pairing & Sharing bash at Luis Wine Bar featuring The Bruery (Oct. 20), and much more. Cap off this rager with a three-course brunch at Foremost Wine Co. paired with Central Coast Brewing offerings. You will need a long nap and maybe even a preacher after this gluttonous lineup of three beers paired with: coffee soy braised pork belly, grilled pineapple relish, sweet potato mash; kava toast with poached eggs and coconut jam; and South Bay wild smoked black cod blinis with crème fraiche, scallion pancake, and chives (Oct. 23)! (for all the SLO Beer Week main events and partner events, go to slobeerweek.com) … Fruity yet dank: SLO’s Bang the Drum Brewery is offering up a new seasonal brew on tap that will get you into that cozy fall feeling! Try their Hoppy Wheat, an American-style wheat beer dry-hopped with a generous cornucopia of simcoe and amarillo gold hops (bangthedrumbrewery.com).

Harvest in full swing

Is it over yet? Backs are sore, hands are thrashed, and big plastic bins are flush with ripe fruit. The blood, sweat, and tears of harvest continues across the Central Coast. Of course, there’s still plenty to celebrate, too! Hard work equals awesome wine, and this vintage could be the best yet! Harvest Wine Weekend in Paso Robles, featuring events from more than 140 wineries, including a BACON FEST bacon and wine pairing at Treana Wine’s newly remodeled tasting room in Paso Robles (hopefamilywines.com). Plot your course for this wild harvest adventure running Oct. 14 through 16 at pasowine.com … It’s not too early to start thinking about turkey, especially when it’s turkey for people who could really use a little love. Spread the gravy, and pay it forward: Now in its 32nd year, Thanksgiving for Paso Robles is once again hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner to the community of Paso Robles. The traditional sit-down dinner takes place at Centennial Park Activity Center on Nov. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. If you can donate, volunteer, or simply lend a hand to help fund this selfless event, go to thanksgivingforpasorobles.com.

News nibs

Creative cookie crumbles: Some cookies are delicious and not-so-pretty, others are pretty and godawful. Online cookie celeb Arty McGoo’s cookies are both gorgeous and delicious, and you can learn how she crafts her intricate and playful designs with a workshop Cookie Retreat held at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles this Nov. 5 (sign up before this unique class sells out at artymcgood.com) … Wine geek on fleek: Grenada Hotel and Bistro has just named certified sommelier Jenna Congdon as its co-wine director! She is known for her whip-smart, worldly wine IQ, discerning palate, and infectious smile (you may also know her face from The Station SLO, which she helped open last year) … LXV Winery in downtown Paso Robles has beat out dozens of contenders to place No. 7 on USA Today’s Best Tasting Rooms list.
Now, you can sign up for a LXV culinary-wine gift box that pairs Indian spices with sumptuous reds (lxvwine.com), bringing a bit of exotic excitement home for the holidays.

Hayley Thomas has a fridge full of beer and a heart full of dreams. She can be reached at [email protected].