Chandler Craft Spirits Festival Saturday, April 25
A two-component well drink is a simple, beautiful thing. But a craft cocktail -- shaken, stirred, muddled, and mashed -- is an event in a glass. You can celebrate the art of the cocktail this Saturday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Chandler at the Chandler Craft Spirits Festival, the ultimate craft cocktail event. Distributors for Arizona's top distilleries including Arizona Distilling Co., regional micro-distillers, and some of the nation's biggest spirit companies will come together for the second annual festival. The event will also feature a seminar from Arizona Cocktail Hour's Eddy Garcia and top local mixologists; food from Social Box, SanTan Brewing Company, San Marcos, and Caketini; and more than 50 different craft cocktails. For those imbibing, tickets are $40 and include 15 drink tickets. Designated drivers can purchase admission tickets for just $10. For more information, or to purchase tickets, see the Chandler Craft Spirits Festival website.
See also: Help Wanted: Phoenix New Times Freelance Restaurant Critic
Bite of Arizona Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26
This two-day festival features non-stop food, beer, wine and music on Saturday and Sunday. From noon to 10 p.m., you'll find food from restaurants, gourmet food trucks, and local artisans served alongside craft beers and premium wines. Vendors include Focoso Pizza, Molly's Tamales, Taste Rite Food Truck, and more. Music highlighting local artists will perform on multiple stages throughout the weekend event held at Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass. General admission costs $10; drink tickets will be available for $1 each. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Bite of Arizona website.
Sausage Fest at Brat Haus Sunday, April 26
If you've ever wanted to experience over 80 feet of sausage, Sunday is your day. In celebration of National Pretzel Day, Scottsdale's Brat Haus will pair Arizona's largest pretzel with Arizona's largest brat. Can't handle the full 80 feet of meat? Festival goers will be able to purchase six or more inches of the massive sausage for just $1 an inch and wash it down with beer from SanTan Brewing, Mike Hess Brewing, Krombacher, or New Belgium. Sausage Fest will also include stein holding contests, sausage making demos, beer garden games, brat eating contests, pretzel toss, and a cigar station. Keep kids entertained with face painting and a balloon artist. Presale tickets to the noon to 8 p.m. event cost $8, or can be bought at the door for $10. Kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets ahead of time, visit the Brat Haus website.
