Bottoms Up: Beer University at Wild Wing Cafe
There are no tests, quizzes or grades, but there are five courses to take at Beer University, hosted by Wild Wing Cafe in Harbison.
In what is starting to become a semi-regular event for the restaurant, Wild Wing has teamed up with past breweries such as River Rat, Sam Adams and R.J. Rockers.
This time the course material happens to be the ever-tasty and often-growing, Sweetwater Brewery. Sweetwater, which calls Atlanta home, has become a bar and pub staple for their craft beer and their local feel in the Southeast.
The mastermind behind the pairings, Sara Haugen, said that the idea for the wildly popular Beer University came about a few years ago.
“We wanted to come up with a way to elevate the beer experience past ‘Beer and wings.’”
Haugen diligently comes up with all of the pairings and likes to keep everything tailored to the season.
At this particular University, the first tasting starts with a char-grilled tomato and basil gazpacho topped with goat cheese and is paired with the classic Sweetwater 420.
Other pairs include crabcakes, lamb shanks, mac and cheese and more, plus each course features a different beer from Sweetwater, ranging in flavors and ABV.
“It’s a fun atmosphere,” Haugen said. “Someone from Sweetwater will come and educate the diners about some of the beers, and it’s a good chance to learn about how food and alcohol go together.”
Tickets for the event are $40 and can be bought by visiting the location. There are only 30 spots available. Fortunately, even if you don’t get accepted into this University, there is sure to be another one soon.
If you go: Sunday, April 26, at 6 p.m. at Wild Wing Cafe, 1150 Bower Parkway, Harbison; Details: www.wildwingcafe.com/happenings/beer-university
Aaron Ransdell
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This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Bottoms Up: Beer University at Wild Wing Cafe."