Tasty News: Bacon & Bourbon Fest

There are few things as American as bourbon and a love for bacon.  Which is why America’s most American city just might be Delray Beach this weekend when the inaugural Bacon and Bourbon Fest comes to Old School Square Park, March 28-29. Essentially an upscale barbecue, this semi-exclusive event (admission will be capped at 4,000 people per day) is the brainchild of  the same folks behind Delray Beach’s other foodie fun: the annual Garlic Festival and the Delray Beach Wine and Seafood Festival, so you know your in good hands when it comes to planning. Three years in the making, the Bacon and Bourbon Fest is a 21-and-up party of all things salty and savory, and a must for anyone with at least two working taste buds in their mouth.

Bacon and Bourbon Fest - Delray Beach - Old School Square Park

   So what’s on the plate? Guests can dig on braised pork belly, bacon and bourbon macaroni and cheese, and sweet bacon ice cream just to name a few. The Bacon Bar, an 80-foot stretch of all things pork, will give festivalgoers a chance to choose from five sticks of bacon, from the classic bourbon bacon to the strangely delicious chocolate-dipped bacon.

   For sips, some of the area’s best mixologists will be on hand to create handcrafted cocktails, using bourbon—of course—as the main the ingredient. But for true bourbon aficionados, this two-day festival will host one of the best-curated menus of small-batch barrels around—20-year Pappy Van Winkle anyone? For a more curated experience, a series of seminars, tastings and pairings, matching bourbon experts and distillers, area chefs and mixologists will make this weekend not only a fun and delicious affair, but educational as well—for the truly dedicated, the Pappy Van Winkle Tasting Experience, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m., and the Rare Antique Collection Tasting, taking place on Sunday at 4 p.m., are not to be missed.

   As for tunes, it’s all about the blues. The main stage will be stacked with acts belting their hearts out, including McGowan’s Chair, Andy Childs, Jay Blues Band, the Nucklebusters, Victor Wainwright, and Mac Arnold and Plate Full O’Blues.

General admission for this Blues, Bourbon and Bacon-fueled party is $25. For those looking to brunch on some bacon and bourbon, admission is $60. Tasting seminars cost $100 per, with the Pappy Van Winkle tasting coming in at $200. For a true culinary treat, a special four-course bacon and bourbon dinner can be had at $150. The party will run from Saturday, March 28 from 2-11 p.m., to Sunday, March 29 from  1-6 p.m. To purchase tickets, which will sell out, visit delraybaconandbourbonfest.com.

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