EAT

Mar. 11: Rebels Keg Party Benefit

Gertrude’s Restaurant, 10 Art Museum Dr. 6:30-10 p.m. $25-60. facebook.com.

As if we need an excuse, there are few better ways to eat than doing so for a good cause. On Friday, Getrude’s Restaurant and the “Rebels With a Cause” charitable bike team will be throwing their fourth annual keg party at the BMA, featuring a bevy of bites to benefit Moveable Feast, which delivers healthy meals to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses. This year, the evening will feature area eateries like Aggio, Wit & Wisdom, Blue Pit BBQ, Shake Shack, as well as pairings from local breweries like Union Craft, Flying Dog, Monument City, and Diamondback Beer. All proceeds benefit the Rebels’ Ride for the Feast, an annual bike ride from Baltimore to Ocean City that helps raise money for the local nonprofit.

DRINK

Mar. 12: Millstone Cellars Cider & Cheese Pairing

Millstone Cellars, 2029 Monkton Rd., Monkton. 12-7 p.m. facebook.com.

When you think about it, cider and cheese is a perfect combo: Remember the awesome elementary school snack of apple slices and cheddar cubes? This weekend, you can indulge in the adult version of that childhood treat with Monkton’s Millstone Cellars and Charlottetown Farm. You might have tried the former at the JFX Farmers’ Market or the latter at local restaurants like Woodberry Kitchen and Maggie’s Farm, but on Saturday, the two local purveyors come together with sampled sips of Farmgate, Hopvine, and Gingerroot ciders alongside the likes of ricotta, feta, and chevre. Best of all, buy some of both to take home. We’re thinking a glass of bourbon barrel-aged Cobbler with a perfectly golden grilled cheese.

SEE

Mar. 13: Ira Glass

Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 7 p.m. $45-135. 410-235-1660. wypr.org.

You know his voice. It comes to you in your car, at work, before bedtime, every Saturday at noon, telling you stories of average and extraordinary people, from 9/11 survivors and long-lost friends to late-night diner workers and Santa Claus. As the creator and host of This American Life, Baltimore native Ira Glass can be heard on his 20-year-old show (as well as his captivating spinoff podcast, Serial) via more than 500 stations across the country. This month put a voice to the face when he comes to town to talk about the future of radio. (See our recent interview with Glass.)

HEAR

Mar. 11-13: Motown

Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $48.50-213.50. 410-837-7400. france-merrickpac.com

It all started in Detroit, in a little white house with blue doors, and the words “Hitsville U.S.A.” There, Berry Gordy created an iconic record label that would go on to launch legends like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Temptations, to name a few. Running through Sunday, it’s a don’t-miss show that makes it hard to stay in your seat. Without a doubt, you’ll be wiggling in it, especially as you hear iconic hits like “My Girl,” “ABC,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” and “Dancing in the Street.

DO

Mar. 13: St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Locations, times, & prices vary. irishparade.net. baltimorewaterfront.com.

During the month of March, Charm City turns into an Emerald Isle outpost as windows are riddled with shamrocks and taps overfloweth with green beer. This Sunday, start St. Patrick’s Day early with the Shamrock Shindig at Pierce’s Park on Pier IV. Bring the whole family for Celtic music, food trucks, beer and wine, games, and more beginning on the grassy knoll at 10:30 a.m. After you’ve indulged, hit the streets in the Shamrock 5K on the corner of Franklin and Charles, and then make your way to the Washington Monument by 2, for the city’s 61st annual parade. From there, celebrate Irish culture and heritage as you follow a bevy of bagpipes, marching bands, floats, and antique cars as they make their way to Market Place. But the fun doesn’t end there: There are tons of other celebrations this weekend and throughout the rest of the week.

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Spring: In the beginning of the year, we spent a lot of time at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, which was then located adjacent to Dooby’s in Mt. Vernon (now you can find Dylan shucking down the street at the newest Ryleigh’s Oyster location). While we went for the oysters, we stayed for the cocktails, including the Cellar Sour (vodka, egg whites, orange bitters, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice) which was an ideal, citrusy accompaniment to salty, briny oysters.

A bit later in the season, Blue Pit BBQ opened. Well sort of. The Woodberry spot made an ingenious move: Before it could officially open its kitchen (thanks, BGE!), Blue Pit opened its bar by hanging a “Whiskey Open” sign out front. Soon, the buzz around its awesome drink program started and the very first cocktail we tried was a strawberry-rhubarb Old Fashioned, pictured. Perfectly sweet, tart, and boozy. Now Blue Pit features rotating Old Fashioned recipes, depending on what’s in season.

Summer: The “summer of Anthem” became a running joke amongst our friends, as Union Craft Brewing released its creamy, golden ale to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the penning of the National Anthem. We enjoyed Anthem at Orioles games, while picking crabs, and—most especially—during the Star-Spangled Spectacular fireworks show, pictured.

Another summer favorite was the watermelon crush at The Food Market. We found this one while fighting the crowds at HonFest and stopping at Food Market’s truck parked outside the restaurant. The combination of Green Mountain lemon vodka, watermelon purée, kiwi syrup, and crushed ice was a refreshing way to beat the heat and just a definitively beautiful cocktail.

Fall: When the chill of fall rolled in, so did the highly anticipated opening of Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club in Federal Hill. Though the spot has experienced some chef changes since opening, the bar program has remained strong under the helm of Ryan Sparks. One of the first cocktails we got to enjoy was The Federale with Espolon Blanco tequila, Becherovka (herbal liqueur), cinnamon, lemon, grapefruit, and a mint sprig. Enjoying spicy, aromatic flavors in the plush Bookmaker’s space was fitting for many fall evenings. We also recommend the bar’s cocktails on tap or anything combined with its house-made tonic.

This fall, we also got to explore some local wineries and distilleries in the area, including Millstone Cellars in Monkton and Lyon Distilling in St. Michael’s. Both outfits are producing spirits for the love of the craft and, in particular, we like Millstone’s Bonfire—a spicy mead with wildflower honey—and Lyon’s white rum, pictured, which has some sugar cane notes and a hint of molasses sweetness.

Winter: Hot cocktails can be sort of tricky. A lot of them are just boozy teas that we associate with getting over that nasty winter cold. But we think we discovered the ultimate exception in Wit & Wisdom‘s hot buttered rum cocktail, pictured, right, with Pyrat rum and a concoction of brown sugar, butter, honey, vanilla, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon—that is all topped with house-made maple whipped cream. We find it hard to imagine anything more decadent this time of year.

Of course, we can’t forget that Flying Dog Brewery had one of the most inspired holiday collaborations by teaming up with Otterbein’s Bakery to make cookie-beer pairings. Our favorite of the lot was the Roasted Peanut Brown Ale, which pairs with, admittedly, one of the best cookies on the planet. Washing down the Otterbein chocolate chip cookie with a sip of this 5-percent-ABV brown ale with nutty characteristics is like one giant candy bar experience.

Cheers to a happy (and boozy) 2015!

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Millstone—the Monkton winery known for its meads and ciders—will be showcasing some of its new releases in cocktails mixed by Woodberry Kitchen bar manager Andre Barnhill.

Expect drinks like the Sip n Bite with Amaro Sirene, Old Tom gin, Maryland maple, Black Ankle verjus, and Woodberry’s house bitters with Millstone’s Sidra—an extremely tart, heirloom apple cider. There will also be the Shore Fire with (Baltimore’s “best distillery”) Lyon Distillingdark and silver rum, house-made pumpkin syrup, house bitters, and Millstone’s Bonfire—a spicy mead with wildflower honey.

“Working with Millstone ciders, meads, and cysers was a ton of fun,” Barnhill said. “It made me realize how versatile they are. That Sidra especially rocked. Just how damn stand-alone good and perfect Sidra is to mix with, that won it for me.”

In addition, Woodberry chef Opie Crooks will be making accompanying small plates like fried oyster steamed buns, smoked trout, and cured meats and farmstead cheese plates.

The event is taking place tomorrow night from 7-9 p.m. at Artifact Coffee. Tickets are $45 and include food and your first two cocktails. Email hannah@woodberrykitchen.com to reserve your spot.

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