Brewmaster of the Westfield River Brewing Company, Sergio Bonavita, pours a beer for a customer. Bonavita will serve up several brews at the Nov. 21 event to benefit Our Community Food Pantry. (File Photo)
SOUTHWICK – Beer lovers and do-gooders alike will find tasty brews, refreshments and more all for a good cause at Westfield River Brewing Co. Nov. 21.
A beer-tasting fundraiser to benefit Southwick’s Our Community Food Pantry is slated from 6-8 p.m. For a $25 ticket in advance or $30 at the door, guests can help the pantry stock its shelves and enjoy a sampling of Westfield River Brewing’s latest offerings, as well as food and live music.
“This is a major fundraiser for the Pantry” said Our Community Food Pantry Board President Betty Murphy. “We are delighted to have food provided by Craft Meats Smokehouse, desserts by Moolicious Farms, and live music by Sam Chevalier and Jeff Roberts.”
Westfield River Brewing Co. owner Sergio Bonavita said he and his staff look forward to the event.
“We love supporting the food pantry,” he said. “They do a great job of providing help for families in need and this time of year it is so important to remember those in need.”
The brewery offers a variety of beers, including a seasonal Octoberfest, which is a traditional Marzen lager with caramel notes, and a White Pumpkin, brewer with sugar pumpkins from Southwick’s own Meadow View Farm, cinnamon and white wheat malt.
“We also have an apple cider that is coming out and we will also be showcasing our new distillery, Tobacco Road Distillers,” Bonavita said.
In addition to refreshments, there will be other opportunities for fundraising at the event.
“There will also be terrific raffle items available from generous town businesses, and a 50/50 raffle,” said Murphy.
All proceeds benefit Our Community Food Pantry, which provides local families with food.
“This annual event helps to raise funds to assist those with food insecurities in Southwick, Granville and Tolland,” Murphy said. “Last year, we served 1,129 households and gave out 175,000 pounds food. We also give out about 100 ‘Kids Bags’ of food weekly during school vacations and one weekend bag a month. This Tasting is not only a fun event, but an important fundraiser for our families in need, as the needs in our communities are rising.”
Tickets are available at these Southwick locations: Our Community Food Pantry, 220 College Highway (413) 569-9876; at the Westfield River Brewing Company, 707 College Highway; The Southwick Florist, 636 College Highway; and The Mason Agency, 504 College Highway.
