Carnaval ME 2022 includes ice carving along with the Bites & Brews Igloo, which features pairings of craft brewers and well-known restaurants. Contributed / Tim Greenway
Bites & Brews on the Eastern Prom in Portland is a major part of the 2022 Carnaval ME Winter Festival, being held Feb. 17-26 in Portland’s East End. Tickets to the B & B Igloo include samplings from craft brewers and well-known restaurants for sessions from 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. Some of the eateries and companion beverages are:
Sande Updegraph lives in Brunswick and is a longtime food writer. She can be reached at sandeupdegraph@gmail.com.
Week 1, Feb. 18-20
• Allagash Brewing and Luke’s Lobster
• Shipyard Brewing and Navis Café
• Mast Landing Brewery and Nighthawk’s Kitchen
• Banded Brewing and Nura Hummus and Falafel Bar
• Coffee by Design and Eighty8 Donuts
• KITna Brewing
Week 2, Feb. 24-26
• Rising Tide Brewery and Central Provisions
• Shipyard Brewing and Get Maine Lobster
• Urban Farm Fermentory and Cowbell Burger Bar
• Coffee by Design & Gross Confection Bar
• KITna Brewing
Tickets for B & B are $70/person plus ticket fee. For tickets for other events and general admission, see carnavalME.com. Part of the proceeds benefits WinterKids programs.
The Federal reopens guest rooms
The Federal (formerly The Daniel and prior to that the Captain Daniel Stone Inn) is scheduled to reopen for lodging on Feb. 24 after a major renovation and systems upgrade. I had a recent tour with the new management team. Guest rooms have a modern, fresh feel while maintaining one foot in the history of the 200-plus-year-old property. The restaurant and new bar area will open in April under the direction of a celebrated area chef.
Food and brew news
Spinning in Circles is a new release from Mast Landing, 200 Lower Main St., Freeport. The brewers use three different hops late in the brewing process, which produces a double IPA. Four-packs are available at the tasting room or on the website at mastlandingbrewing.com.
They are busy at Maine Beer Company, 525 U.S. Route 1, Freeport, with new releases throughout the month. Dinner, their original double IPA, will be released on Feb. 18 in bottles and on draft. Zoe Amber Ale will be released on Feb. 25.
Jersey Mike’s is open at Cook’s Corner in Brunswick. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. 172 Bath Road, 481-8767.
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