thursday16
Beer Wars, Anat Baron’s documentary about craft breweries and the U.S. beer industry, debuts nationwide today, followed by a live broadcast of a panel discussion in LA. Ben Stein will lead Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Rhonda Kallman (New Century, Boston Beer Company), Greg Koch (Stone), Charlie Papazian (Brewers Association), Maureen Ogle (Ambitious Brew: The Story of American Beer), and Todd Alstrom (BeerAdvocate) in a discussion of “the struggles independent brewers face in a corporate-dominated world.” 7 PM, River East 21, 322 E. Illinois; City North 14, 2600 N. Western; Webster Place, 1471 W. Webster; $15.
friday17
The 58th Annual Smelt Fry at American Legion Post #82 in Port Washington, Wisconsin, offers all-you-can-eat smelt. Fri 4:30-10 PM, Sat 5:30-9 PM, Memorial Building, 435 N. Lake, Port Washington, 262-284-4690, $10.
saturday18
Khemararam Temple hosts another Cambodian New Year’s festival at Truman College, with “lots of food” to be served by the staff of the temple and eaten “after the monks eat.” 9 AM-1 PM, early arrival recommended, 1145 W. Wilson, 773-878-8226, suggested donation of food or cash.
The American Institute of Wine and Food hosts a culinary tour of Pilsen starting with cookies, pastries, and Mexican breads at the 50-year-old El Nopal bakery (3648 W. 26th) and ending at Mr. Churro (1626 S. Blue Island). Chef Freddy Sanchez of Adobo Grill will take participants to La Casa del Pueblo, a neighborhood supermarket; Mundial Cocina Mestiza, a Latin fusion spot; Carnitas Don Pedro, a “palace of all things porcine”; and Birrieria Reyes de Octolan, which specializes in goat stew. 10:30 AM-3 PM, 847-910-5946, $55, $40 AIWF members.
The Patio Pig Roast at Dunlays on the Square includes all-you-can-eat pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, homemade potato chips, and coleslaw; Iron City beers are $2 and there’ll be live music by the Northside Southpaws from 1 to 3 PM. noon-5 PM, 3137 W. Logan, 773-227-2400, $20.
The Beer Mapping Project’s annual CTA Pub Crawl begins at the Local Option (1102 W. Webster) and progresses to Sheffield’s, Risque Cafe, the Long Room, Metropolitan Brewing (for a brewery tour and sampling), and the Hopleaf. 1-6 PM, registration required.
French wine and samples from a 100-pound wheel of Laguiole, an aged French cow’s milk cheese from the Aubrac plateau are free at Whole Foods Lakeview’s afternoon tasting. 1-2:30 PM, 3300 N. Ashland, 773-244-4200.
The eight midwestern Rock Bottom breweries, all of which develop their own recipes, offer 50 beers for sampling at Rockfest 2009; the brewmasters will be on hand to discuss. You can vote on who’ll be awarded “the coveted golden bung hammer.” 1-5 PM, Rock Bottom Brewery, 1 W. Grand, 312-755-9339, $25.
sunday19
Mado‘s monthly family dinner celebrates the restaurant’s one-year anniversary with dishes including grilled ramps with romesco sauce, pappardelle with rabbit sugo, and porchetta with garlic, rosemary, and fennel. 6 PM, 2039 W. North, 773-342-2340, $50.