Drinks

Well, with all the hoopla going on lately regarding the wine kiosks, I couldn’t resist going to check them out. Due to my ID being a worn out non-functional mess, I couldn’t actually try it out myself but I stuck around for about 20 minutes or so to watch other people try it out and gauge reactions.

Teavana just opened up in the Lehigh Valley Mall. Learn from my experiences and avoid it at all costs.

The 5th annual Harvest Festival in Bethlehem took place two weekends ago and it sure seemed bigger and more attended than ever. In addition to all of the brews being dished out, food was in abundance as well. To wander around the festival is of course free but there was also paid adventures to partake in as well.

Like most of the festivals I’ve been hitting this year, it was my first time visiting Allentown’s kickoff for the fall: West End Oktoberfest. Not knowing what to expect, I bundled up on the chilly Saturday afternoon and headed into the city after Easton’s Garlic Festival.

Ah, yes. The Lehigh Valley Brewfest is nigh. Last year’s event was a spectacular display of the throngs of people that will come out to get drunk in the shittiest of weather.

These days it seems there’s a festival for everything…apples, beer, wine, peppers, and yes, even garlic. I’m not sure how long the Garlic Festival has been around but I decided to check it out for the first time this year. Though nearly not as extensive or famous as the Gilroy Garlic Festival, the Easton festivities shut down the center of town and a garlicy aroma greets you from blocks away.

Following in its promise for sustainable food, particularly seafood, Starfish Brasserie partnered with the Lehigh Valley chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local, as well as Keepsake Farms and Pure Sprouts to host a farm to table dinner.

Ah yes, Celticfest (or Celtic Classic, whichever you prefer)…the smaller, kilted festival that spans a weekend rather than a week. This year’s festival drew over 250,000 people to Bethlehem’s sacred festival grounds for a weekend of green clothes, beer, music, and throwing big objects.

Lehigh Valley Hospital Network throws a grand gala every year where everyone who is anyone in the valley attends. Top-grossing companies drop $35,000 for advertising and 10 seats, politicians and CEOs are aplenty, and everyone is done up in their best black tie garb.