Yes, it's Super Bowl weekend (already!), but there are plenty of non-football activities going on this weekend. Help raise some money to save Local Harvest Cafe & Grocery, see the Pi Pizza-loving Alton Brown or take a sugary tour of Maplewood. Check out our food-related recommendations after the jump.
See also: Help Alton Brown Find the Mystery St. Louis-Style Pizza that Stole His Heart
Friday (January 31):
Local Harvest Fundraiser @ 4 Hands Brewing Company
Ailing Local Harvest is getting some help this weekend from craft brewery 4 Hands (1220 South Eight Street; 314-436-1559). From noon to midnight, $2 of every beer sold at the brewery will go to Local Harvest, plus a free show from The Jungle Fire at 8:30 p.m. Local Harvest employees will be on hand from 7 to 10 p.m. to sell punch cards and gift certificates. Admission is free.
Handmade Happy Hour: Sweetheart Edition @ Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Handmade Happy Hour happens four times a year, but this is the third annual Sweetheart Edition. Peruse handmade, imported and locally sourced items and gift while sipping Skinnygirl wine and Pinnacle Vodka cocktails and enjoying some hors d'oeuvres. From 5 to 9 p.m. $5 suggested donation goes to the Coolfire Foundation.
Sweet Tooth Tour @ Downtown Maplewood
For the first time, tour charming downtown Maplewood whilst satisfying your sweet tooth craving. Several of Maplewood's small businesses have created special drinks, cakes, cupcakes, pies, doughnuts, coffees and other treats just for the tour. Hit Kakao Chocolate, Foundation Grounds Coffee, Great Harvest Bakery and La Cosecha Coffee Roasters, Traveling Tea, Strange Donuts, Pie Oh My, Vom Fass and Encore Baking Co. Two for $25 tickets are still available at Vom Fass and Great Harvest. From noon to 5 p.m.
National Barbecue Association Awards of Excellence @ 17th Street BBQ
For the sixth year in a row, 17th Street BBQ is hosting the judging the best barbecue products in 25 categories like sauces, ribs and marinades. There are over 600 entries, and the winners selected by 17th Street's Mike Mills. Judging takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The winners will also go own and be awarded at the National Barbecue Convention in March in San Marcos, Texas.
Saturday (February 1):
Alton Brown Live @ The Fox Theatre
Live music, large-scale food experiments, colorful puppets and even stand-up comedy make up Alton Brown Live!: the Edible Inevitable Tour. The production comes from Peabody and James Beard award-winning Food Network celebrity-turned-icon Alton Brown, most renowned for his uber-educational culinary brainchild Good Eats as well as hosting Iron Chef America. Brown stops into town for the second leg of his tour, and from what we're told, things will get messy. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $32, available here.
Side Project Release @ Perennial Artisan Ales
For Cory King's third wave of Side Project Brewing releases, Le Saissonier and Pulling Nails will be available at Perennial. There's a limit of three each and they'll run you $17 and $25, respectively. Hot Aztec will also be there for lunch starting at 11:30 a.m.
Sips & Sweets @ Regional Arts Commission
This fundraiser for Tenth Life, a cat rescue organization, will sample sweet and savory treats from places like Pint Size Bakery, Tiny Montgomery Kitchen, Kakao Chocolate, Le Cordon Bleu, Made With Love, Strange Donuts, I Scream Cakes, Hartford Coffee, Whisk and more. You'll also enjoy wine from Robller Vineyards and beer from Second Shift Brewery. There will also be live music all night from Strings Attached. Um, did we mention the cuddly kitties you get to play with?! You can even apply to adopt one. 7 p.m. Tickets are $30, available here.
Sunday (February 2):
iTap doesn't usually serve food, so the Soulard location is hosting a potluck for the Super Bowl. iTap's "Super Share" starts at 3 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a rare brew or even home brew to share and a food item for the potluck if you'd like. Super Share is also kicking off the week-long celebration of iTap's fifth anniversary. Admission is free.
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