Small Bites: October Food News

The latest statewide food news from our cuisine editor

stock photo Attend the NH Brewfest, grab a cool new beer accessory, and more during this Oktoberfest month.

Event of the Month

New Hampshire Brewfest

One of the biggest brewfests of the year is a collaboration between Prescott Park Arts Festival, the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Redhook Brewery and WHEB. Held outside at Redhook in Portsmouth, admission includes a glass, beer samples, live music and other festivities. Food is also available for purchase. At last year’s event, there were 174 unique craft beers, which set a festival record. Expect to see local New Hampshire and New England breweries and more from around the country.

October 15; nhbrewfest.com

Mustard and Brats

Classic Oktoberfest Combo

Horseradish Tarragon Mustard ($6.50) by Provincial Palate in Gilmanton gives just the right amount of heat to a brat sandwich, a mayonnaise potato salad or deviled eggs. Its producer, Chef Sarah Baldwin, caters in the Gilmanton area, including at Gilmanton Winery, where she cooks one Friday night dinner per month. Her first mustard, Honey Crunch Mustard, won a silver medal at the Napa Valley World-Wide Mustard Competition. Other recipes now also include Sweet Heat, Crazin Crunch and Cranberry Maple Creme Mustards and can be found at Miles Smith Farm in Loudon and Gilmanton Winery and Four Corners Brick House in Gilmanton. Celebrate Oktoberfest at home with these mustards and some local bratwurst. Find North Country Smokehouse brats at Hannaford Supermarket in Bedford or mail-order from ncsmokehouse.com.

Seasonal Accessory

Das Can-in-Stein

Many New Hampshire beers are now available in cans. Besides the cool retro look, they are easier to transport. Add a touch of Old World flavor by setting a can in the Das Can-In-Stein by ThinkGeek.

More food and restaurant news

Craft beer café The Flight Center is expected to open in early October in the former Cookies by Design space in Nashua at 97 Main Street. They will offer more than 40 taps of local New Hampshire and New England brews.

The Beal House, an inn and restaurant in Littleton, was purchased by Lori and Adam Alderin almost nine months ago. Chef Alderin creates seasonal menus with local sourcing for their American tavern concept dining.

Oktoberfests are in high gear around the state with more than a half a dozen events happening now through the end of October.

'Tis the season for fresh, hot cider donuts. While you can make your own at home (and you should try it at least once), we also recommend taking a foliage drive and picking some up from Applecrest Farm Orchards, Cider Bellies or another one of our favorite spots.

Tracy Girl has a new food truck available for hire featuring a waffle bar. She is based in Plymouth.

Upcoming Food and Drink Events

September 23: Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire's The Great Big Bash in Dover featuring Gatsby-inspired cocktails, tasty nibbles from fine area restaurants and the TonyMack Band — flappers and fedoras encouraged.  $125.

September 24-25: Fantastic Forage is a gathering of foragers, educators, vendors, musicians and chefs at Tavern 27 in Laconia.

September 24: Claremont NH Beer Fest from 12-4 p.m. Tickets are $25-$40.

September 24 to 30: Eat local Fall Food Festival in downtown Nashua featuring a Farmers Dinner (sold out), music and expanded farmers market events.

September 25: Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner at Meadow’s Mirth Farm in Stratham. Tickets are $100. Email denise@blacktrumpetbistro.com for more information.

October 1: 5th Annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival, Swansey Parkway, Exeter from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $30.

October 14: 5th Annual Clash of the Cupcakes at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester. This event benefits Southern New Hampshire Services. $15 per person, $55 for four people.

October 15: 8th Annual New Hampshire Brewfest at Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth.

October 15: iUGO Nashua presents the 1st Annual Nashua Food Truck Festival located at 30 Temple Street from 2-6 pm. A limited number of tickets (400) will be sold to the inaugural event. Ticketholders will be given an armband which will give you access to the food trucks from 2-5 pm before the general public (5-6 p.m. while food lasts), a sample voucher, a $2 off Millyard Brewery voucher and an official Food Truck Festival Frisbee plate. There will be a live DJ, live art demonstrations and music throughout the day.

October 21: Flag Hill Winery Straight Rye Whiskey release party in Lee in "roaring twenties" style.

November 3: Annual Grand Tasting of Exclusive, Collectible and Most Exciting Wines of 2016 from 6-9 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Nashua. During this event you will have a chance to taste not only 70 high-quality, hard-to-find wines, but also to sample artisan food from local producers. The Grand Wine tasting will also be complemented by appetizers prepared by Crowne Plaza executive chef Todd Lytle. Raffle ticket proceeds will benefit 501c3 nonprofit Great American Downtown's efforts to raise money for the Downtown Holiday Lighting Project. $35.

November 10: 4th Annual Distiller's Showcase of Premium Spirits is the largest spirits tasting event in New England. The event features more than 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits and food from NH’s top restaurants. Attendees are able to meet brand ambassadors from a wide range of distilleries. This is an opportunity to sample and purchase the world’s finest spirits at a discount through the State's ordering system. $60. Proceeds benefit the Animal League.