Despite feasting on everything from pork belly confit to bacon ice cream at last year’s first annual North Shore Bacon & Brew Fest, attendees wanted even more bacon. So, this year, the event will feature heaping platters of crispy strips, in addition to offerings from some of the North Shore’s top purveyors of pork and craft brews from around the region.
“What chef doesn’t get excited about hundreds of pounds of pork belly?” says Serie Keezer, culinary director at Finz in Salem, who notes that this new event is a great way to recognize the North Shore food community.
“We are really excited for the North Shore Bacon & Brew Fest this year because we’re building on a new tradition that brings together the wider North Shore community and it makes us all stronger,” says Keezer, whose restaurant will be serving up bacon-wrapped scallops. “The North Shore has been undergoing a sort of renaissance over the past 10 years and events like this are a celebration of that fact.”
Oh, and also a celebration of lots of crispy salty, porcine goodness, paired with some of the finest craft brews in the region. About 20 breweries are coming, each bringing two to three beers, ranging from local favorites like Notch and RiverWalk to Aeronaut in Somerville and even von Trapp, of Sound of Music fame, traveling from Stowe, Vermont. That adds up to a possible 60 different tastes – though no one would advise trying everything.
“We’re excited to be part of such a wonderfully delicious event here on the North Shore,” says Dave Smith, VP, RiverWalk Brewing Co. in Newburyport. “We couldn’t think of a better way to support local business than with beer and bacon!”
On the food front, participants range from BONS winners Superfine to Fibber McGee’s in Beverly, which will be returning with crowd favorite Bacon Gouda Mac ‘n’ Cheese. Also among the dozen or so food stands, look for the Maple Bacon Nürnburger – a German sausage topped with kraut and triple-smoked bacon from Karl’s Sausage Kitchen, and from Amazing Pizza, the Big Cheese with North Country Smoked Bacon. Expect some sweet bacony treats as well – Melt Ice Cream is whipping up something special.
Keeping things cool, the event will be held in the Raymond J. Bourque Arena at Endicott College.
Details: Sat, August 12, 2017, 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Limited VIP tickets, including early admission, spirits tastings and a swag bag cost $65, while general admission is $45. Raymond J. Bourque Arena, Endicott College, 300 Hale St., Beverly.