Out of all the great events we host here at Ravenwood every year, some of my personal favorites have to be our two annual Beer Tasting Weekends. These are no ordinary beer tasting dinners. These events span two full days, and are crammed full of good food, great beer and amazing breweries. Our next Beer Tasting Weekend will be held December 1^st and 2^nd, 2017, and will feature the return of one of my favorite breweries and the debut of another of my favorites!

Dinner Friday night features the subject of our June 2017 Brewery Spotlight and one of our favorite breweries, Heavy Seas. Michael Fisher from Heavy Seas will be returning for his second Beer Tasting Weekend appearance, and will once again be sharing a great lineup of brews with us. Friday’s menu will include chargrilled cilantro, garlic and lime, salt cured ribs paired with Heavy Seas’ flagship Loose Cannon; roasted brussel sprout, craisin and goat cheese salad paired with Pounder Pils; braised short rib and root vegetables with mashed redskins paired with the seasonal Winter Storm; and chocolate and bacon bourbon bread pudding paired with Siren Noire. As a special treat we will be adding a fifth beer as guests arrive, one of my personal all time favorite IPAs, TropiCannon.

Dinner Saturday night features the debut of Bells Brewery out of Michigan. Greg Pilch from Bells will be joining us to share a bit about Bells, and discuss their amazing brew lineup. Saturday’s menu will include wood fired flatbreads with pesto, roma tomatoes and cheese paired with Bells Amber Ale; spinach salad with feta and bacon dressing paired with Two Hearted Ale; smoked chicken quarters with roasted sweet potatoes and grilled vegetables paired with Double Cream Stout, and warm apple crisp with fresh whipped cream paired with Christmas Ale. As an extra special treat, Greg has arranged for us to have a keg of Le Contrebassiste on hand as guests arrive. This rustic brown farmhouse ale is typically only available at Bells’ pub in Kalamazoo, Michigan!

As has become a tradition in our beer tasting weekends, we will have an informal tasting Saturday at noon, which will focus on some of our favorite offerings from the Raven’s Roost Pub menu.

Please join us December 1st and 2nd for a weekend of great craft brews! Tickets are $75 per person and include dinner Friday and Saturday nights, and samplings of at least a dozen beers throughout the weekend. Click the “Reservation” button at the top of this page or call (740) 596-2606 to book your room now!

Please note that the event starts with dinner on Friday. Late arrivals will be accommodated as best as possible, but to enjoy the full experience please attempt to arrive early Friday evening.

Jim Reed

Jim Reed is a lifelong gamer who started with the original red box Dungeons & Dragons. After spending 20 years in the corporate world, he decided it was high time that work be fun and struck out on his own. Jim now owns and operates Ravenwood Castle, and spends his days ensuring his guests have as much fun as he does.