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Shane and I usually plan our Friday nights to be “date nights” in order to relax after the long work week. It typically involves us going out to dinner and that’s about it because not only do we want to relax, but we are also exhausted from said long work week. This past Friday night, we decided to change things up a bit and go to a place where we not only could have dinner, but ALL we can eat AND drink! The Craft Beverage Fest at Ravenwood Golf Club was a fun and surprising change to our usual “date nights”. This fundraising event hosted by the Victor Chamber of Commerce filled the room with about 40 or so vendors featuring samplings of appetizers and entrees, desserts, wine, ciders, beer, spirits, and so much more. The event made a typical Friday night, so much more exciting and we had such a blast!
A few weeks before the Craft Beverage Fest, Shane and I were given the opportunity to not only promote this event on our social media, but to also give our readers a $5 discount just by mentioning “Dates in the States”. This was a unique and great opportunity for us – you can just imagine our excitement. After all the hype we created, the event still exceeded our expectations. Some of us said, “It was like a mini SAVOR! event.” SAVOR! is a similar event here in Rochester on a much larger scale. Unlimited samplings of food, desserts, beer, and wine. To be honest, we enjoyed The Craft Beverage Fest’s intimate setting more which allowed us to mix and mingle with many of the vendors on a personable level.
This was the 6th year of the Craft Beverage Fest arranged by the Victor Chamber of Commerce to raise money for their organization. Each year they have about 150 in attendance and it’s their 2nd biggest fundraiser of the year. Their largest fundraiser being The Women of Excellence Awards Dinner. This event honors a woman who lives or works in Victor, NY and has a professional achievement while serving as a leader in her community. Both of these events are hosted by the Ravenwood Golf Club and arranged by The Victor Chamber of Commerce.
As we arrived at the event, we checked in at the desk where they gave us a wrist band and checked our ID’s and tickets. Across the way from the desk, Ravenwood had a little gift shop that was opened to the attendees. As we walked down the hallway to the event space, we grabbed one of the glasses that were sitting on a table for us to use for our samplings.
When we walked in, we were a little overwhelmed – we didn’t know where to start first because there were so many great looking tables filled with goodies. The room was beautifully and simply decorated with string lights and you could hear “Key Dreamers” playing in the background.
We decided to start at the first table which was filled with desserts by Gourmet Goodies. He had a gorgeous display of all kinds of desserts ranging from mint chocolate cupcake like things to cake pops and delicious Tequila-Lime Cookies.
We moved on to the following tables where we began sampling the beer, cider, and wine. These tables included Naked Dove, Apple Country Spirits, CB Craft Brewers, as well as Crush Beer and Wine Tours. All the vendors were very personable and shared their knowledge of each of their products and services.
We were super excited once we reached DeTomaso’s Pizzeria stand. They were serving hot and ready slices of pizza and amazing smoked wings in Garlic Parm, Louisiana, and Chipotle flavors. Give me anything BBQ and smoked and I am the happiest girl alive!
Other foods we tried were provided by the Tops Friendly Markets. (Tops is a local NY grocery store that gives a lot back to their community). Tops was serving hot buffalo chicken pierogies that I must go and buy right now.
Not only were there alcohol tastings, but healthy juice samplings as well. CheriBundi had just about every flavor you can try of their Cherry juice that is used for recovery, stamina, and to improve sleep.
While you tried the samplings (which were delicious), she gave us a lot of information and why Cherry juice is so good for you and should be used in your daily routine. I think this is something we will try in our diets soon.
Aside from the unlimited tastings, half way through the night they held a raffle with the tickets we were given at check in. These donated baskets were filled with various items related to wine, beer, and more! They were even giving away T-Shirts. Sadly, Shane and I didn’t win.
After the raffle, we decided to continue on. Our next stops included some vendors such as Prima Pop, Bluebell Hopyard, Irish Mafia, Parkwood Heights, Rejuvenation Brewing Company, and TommyRotter just to name a few. Prima Pop is a vendor I see at some Farmer’s Markets and they had all their popcorn flavors at a cheaper price than I had ever seen them. Blueberry popcorn anyone?
Mad Hops was another stand I have seen at other various events. Their product is very unique being that they are small flavor squirting bottles used to put in your light beer.
He had bottles of Miller Lite for you to sample while he added a few drops of flavor such as apple, IPA, and cherry just to name a few. It’s fun to experiment and sample these. It really did make Miller Lite taste like anything you want.
Our next stop was at Brew and Brats. I grabbed a glass of sweet red wine and was told to jump next store to try some of Sweet Expressions’ Sriracha Dark Chocolate. Yes, Sriracha! It was surprisingly delicious. I was a little skeptical to try it as I was warned it can be spicy. Let it sit in your mouth for a minute to enhance the flavor. As the chocolate melts in your mouth, it mellows it out.
Our last stop (before going around again!) included NYBP (New York Beer Project) and Cork49 Wine Bar. NYBP had a unique Jelly Donut beer that I thought was fun and different. They also were giving away pint glasses – SCORE! If you don’t know this about us, we love free stuff. I don’t know why, but when we see free stuff we must take it. I can’t tell you how many bumper stickers, coasters, pins, and more we have from various events.
In conclusion, this was a great date night not far from Rochester. Brad Pearson, chairman with the Victor Chamber of Commerce, commented “The price of the tickets were very reasonable considering you can have unlimited food and drink.” And that was the truth! It was also an intimate event and great to network and mingle with many local vendors that I will definitely be visiting long after this weekend.
We both would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Brad and his fellow chair members of the Victor Chamber of Commerce for letting us experience this unique and fantastic event. We had such a blast and would love to attend again for years to come.
Below is a photo gallery showcasing our time at the event and the many different vendors. I do apologize in advance if I missed anyone!
