Allagash FV13

The Beer Babe went on a Brew Bus tour of Allagash and got to sample some FV13.

The result? A sour beer lover’s dream. Tart, funky and fruity, this orange and copper colored beer had one of those aromas that just draws you in and turns you away at the same time because of its oddity. A mix of apple and vinegar and oak flavors (in a good way, I swear) dance around your tongue when you taste it and keep it interesting at every turn. As a lover of sour beers, this one hits all the marks for me.

Ladd’s Maine Restaurant Week

Portland Daily Sun columnist Natalie Ladd has written about her “love/hate relationship” with Maine Restaurant Week.

No matter if they care to or not, most people have heard the down and dirty, sordid details of my love/hate relationship with Maine Restaurant Week. Like all my love/hate relationships, I like to recant the events, the play-by-plays and the lessons learned, and see how I can approach things differently next time.

Apples and Oranges

The Forecaster interviewed Portland coffee drinkers and coffee shop workers about the potential impact of a new Starbucks on Commercial Street.

Steven Karan, an East End resident who stopped by Crema last week, said the independents shouldn’t feel threatened by another Starbucks.

“I wouldn’t worry about a Starbucks affecting places like this. They’re apples and oranges,” he said. “Starbucks will always have their customers, I guess. But I don’t see how a chain like that will make that much difference.”

The Festival Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the craft beer event taking place in Portland this summer, The Festival, are now on sale.

According to organizers, the event will be bringing “70 of the best beer, cider and mead makers” serving “200 of the best beers, ciders, and meads from all over the world” with producers on-hand to talk about their product.

The Festival is organized by Shelton Brothers and 12 Percent Imports. It will be taking place at the Portland Yacht Services Building on Fore Street.

Taylor & Wiley Nominated for F&W’s People’s Best New Chef

Chefs Andrew Taylor and Michael Wiley at Eventide Oyster Co. are nominees in the Food & Wine People’s Best New Chef contest.

Why They’re Amazing Because their restaurant combines the best of old-school Maine oyster bars with updates like cleverly flavored sauces (kimchi ice) and fried oysters served in steamed buns, Korean style.

Show your support for the home town team by voting for them on the Food & Wine website.

If they win the competition they’ll be featured in the July issue of F & W. Eventide is holding an event this Wednesday to rally support for their nomination,

Friends and fans of Eventide are invited to rally in support of the chefs and enjoy some newly released brews at an “Allagash Rally” at Eventide on Wednesday, March 13, starting at 5 p.m. “We’d like to get the word out about the vote, enjoy some great beer and say thanks to all those who have been supportive of us”, Taylor says.

This Week’s Events: Taste Memory, Nonesuch Oysters, Vegan Dessert Class

WednesdayAllagash Rally at Eventide to rally in support of the chefs and enjoy some newly released brews.

ThursdayDavid Buchanan, author of Taste, Memory will be at Longfellow for a book signing, Abigail Carroll from Nonesuch Oysters will be speaking at GMRI, the Grace wine club is meeting, the Bier Cellar is having a “Wine For Beer Geeks” tasting, the Public Market House is having a wine and cheese tasting, LeRoux is holding a beer dinner, and the Great Lost Bear will be featuring beers from Berkshire Brewing.

Friday — Friday is the last day you can vote in the Phoenix Best of Portland Readership Poll.

SaturdayBrowne Trading is holding a wine tasting, Sea Change Cooking is teaching a vegan dessert class, there will be a benefit for Resilient Roots at Zero Station, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — it’s Saint Patrick’s Day.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.