Some things are just worth the wait! Well, I couldn’t wait to share with you all about Eat Drink Birmingham, an event that was held at Soho’s Rosewood Hall in Homewood (AL). If you saw #EatDrinkBham float across your social feed and wanted to know what it was all about, I’m going to share all about it. Eat Drink Birmingham brought a unique pairing experience with food from local restaurants and craft beer from Alabama breweries! I also loved that Red Diamond was there and offered delicious non-alcoholic tea for us to enjoy. The Strawberry-Peach tea was my absolute favorite!
Everything was amazing! I loved sampling some of the best of Birmingham Eats. It’s no secret that I’m a foodie, but craft beer is an area that I have gravitated to only in the past year. Beer is a favorite among the running community for many. I have found that most post-race parties (celebration after a race) offer beer as a beverage of choice and it is very refreshing after a race/run. I have really grown to enjoy it over the past few years, which is why I’m excited that I found many new pairings at Eat Drink Birmingham. There were so many amazing dishes, I will be sharing with you a few of my favorites!
Let’s Eat Drink Birmingham!
Avo—Chicken Mole Tacos paired with The Brew Stooges Chocolate Knucklehead Porter. This was my favorite pairing of the evening! They really brought out the flavors in one another. True love!
Homewood Gourmet—Crawfish Tasso Pasta: penne pasta with crawfish, tasso, and vegetables in a deliciously smokey cream sauce. Perfectly paired with Straight to Ale’s Monkeynaut IPA!
This was my favorite dish and it’s perfect for any seafood lover! Being a runner, carb loading is necessary before a big race. I love that I can find one of the best pasta dishes right here in my city. This specific dish is not on the regular menu, but they will be happy to prepare it upon request.
Jo Jo’s on Broadway-–Smoked Pork with Three-Pepper Chutney and a Mango Sauce paired with Back Forty Beer Company’s Paw Paw’s Peach Wheat.
The peppered pork was so yummy and the mango chutney was the perfect sweetness to add to the punch of the pork. The notes in this peach beer created a beautiful blend as it “tango’d with the mango”! I would say that this beer is great for those who are craft beer newbies.
Bellini’s—Filet Fricassee with roasted corn, fingerling potatoes, and Gorgonzola with a balsamic glaze. Amazing! This dish was paired with Fairhope Brewing Co. Cause Way IPA. Bellini’s also had samples of their white chocolate bread pudding. HEAVEN!
The J. Clyde—Fatso Pudding (paired with Good People Brewing Co.’s El Gordo)
Somebody call the law! This Fatso Pudding should be against EVERY law! Oh my word…this creamy, chocolaty goodness is absolutely divine! It is an Imperial Stout pudding made with chocolate morsels, local honey, and vanilla wafers (served with vanilla bean ice cream).
What do you do when you see a pool of parsnips? You take a dive and dig in! Okay, well maybe not at an event like #EatDrinkBham, but I was excited to sample them. They are so good! I loved them so much, I tried out a new Baked Parsnips Chips recipe found here. Back to these yumtastic little ‘snips…
DG’s Family Restaurant (and Catering)—Parsnip Bisque with Honey Crisp Apple paired with Rocket Republic Brewing Company’s Terrestri-Ale Tripel. I love bisque! The Tripel takes the flavors to a whole new realm by heightening the flavors and bringing out the sweet and savory notes of the Parsnip Apple Bisque!
There were others greats:
Greek Penne Pasta – Nabeel’s Cafe & Market + Back Forty Beer Co. Naked Pig Pale Ale
B-B-Q Chicken and Pork Sandwiches – Bob Syke’s B-B-Q + Good People Brewing Co. Coffee Oatmeal Stout
Shrimp & Grits – Cosmo’s Pizza + Salty Nut Brewery Vertical House Black Ale
Bacon Flight – Bottle & Bone + Straight to Ale Brother Joseph Belgian Dubbel
Sautéed mushrooms with arugula, fennel, and goat cheese – Ocean/26 + Trim Tab Brewing Co.
White Chicken Chili – Jackson’s Bistro + Cheaha Brewing Co. Old Reliable Ale
White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Raspberry Coulis – Silvertron Café + Avondale Brewery Co. Spring Street Saison
Smoked and Pickled Beets with Goat Cheese Crostini – The Pantry + Trim Tab Brewing Co. Berliner Weiss
Souvlakia with Greek Slaw – Ted’s Restaurant + Black Warrior Brewing Co. + Black Warrior Blonde (Ted’s also has a great breakfast menu too!)
Seafood Gumbo (not pictured) – The Bright Star + Yellow Hammer Brewery Rebellion Red Lager. YH also had their Belgian White.
Fun Fact: The Bright Star is Alabama’s oldest family owned restaurant. It was also my Dad’s favorite and I have seriously been going there since I was a little girl. If you visit, make sure you try their Fried Snapper Throats. Delish!
[Tweet “Check out my recap of #EatDrinkBham—some of the best local eats paired with #BamaBrew! #BhamEats “]
You can find a complete pairing list from Eat Drink Birmingham here! To all of my runners looking for a great pre/post-race dinner or for anyone looking for a great place to dine–Birmingham has truly become a foodie and craft beer mecca. You will always have a great place to enjoy delectable eats and drinks!
This was truly a fantastic event! Thank you Alabama Brewers Guild and Birmingham Originals for creating a space for craft beer lovers and foodies to unite!
Until next time…
Awesome recap! The Fatso Pudding should definitely be against the law! Yum!
It’s AH-AMAZING!!!! Thank you, BB!
I don’t drink beer, so I love that Red Diamond was there! I’m a big fan of their tea. I hate I didn’t know about this! We definitely would have gone! The food looks amazing!
The strawberry-peach tea was probably my favorite beverage of the evening! Seriously lol It was still a great event for those who didn’t partake in “adult” beverages.
I’m quite sad I missed this. I’m always looking for places to try in Birmingham. Living here for 10 years, you would think I’m more familiar with places to eat, but I’m not. :(
Birmingham has really boomed over the past year with new places, so don’t feel bad! This city is still growing so there will be plenty more to come!
Whaaaa I would have taken a trip down there for that. I haven’t been to Birmingham in years but I know I need to come on down just based on the food.
Kita, the food…heck the city scene has changed a lot over the years! We have so many new places. I love it! You should definitely come down soon!
Everything looks amazing! I would’ve have been in heaven. There’s nothing like Southern food!
Everything was amazing! I know you would love it! Thank you, Chene!!!
Those dishes look amazing especially the Filet Fricassee….yum! You are SO right about the beer after a running event. I have never taken part of the beer-thing, but I have seen it served. I might try it next time…I am always gravitating to anything that looks like a carb or gatorade. I admire that you are runner & just completed your first full marathon…awesome!! I enjoy running and have only done halfs, but never been brave enough to take on a full. You are going to inspire me to push myself! Thanks so much & take care! :)
Thank you so much for the kind words, Tiffani! Only halfs? That’s an awesome accomplishment! A half marathon is no easy feat either. All you have to do is make up in your mind that you want it, train for it, and do it! Please keep me posted if you do! And yes, try a little “brew” at the next running event!