American Beauty, Indeed

Why do we love Dogfish Head Craft Brewery so much? There’s so much more to it than beer. The gang of music geeks there has produced brews to celebrate some of the greatest artists and recordings of our day, such as Johnny Cask and Bitches Brew. (Brewery owner Sam Calagione was listening to the Miles Davis classic while making his first batch of homebrew.) Now comes American Beauty, named after the seminal album by the Grateful Dead. The band is looking for a strong pale ale made with all-American hops and barley. Now it needs fans to suggest a special ingredient. “Did you trade a bushel of clementines for tickets to a two-night stand at Long Beach Arena?” Dogfish asks. “Or maybe your dad first laid eyes on your mom in the parking lot of the legendary Cornell ’77 show?” Any great story and any interesting ingredient is fair game.” The person who suggests the winning ingredient will be invited to the brewery to help with the test batch. It’s some place to see, so put your thinking cap on. For more information, contact Dogfish marketing manager Maria Grieshaber at mgrieshaber@dogfish.com.

The Gallic Gourmet

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Hug your inner Julie Child during Dinner at a French Bistro at the Hotel du Pont on Oct. 26. Bring your appetite for adventure to learn French culinary classics with executive sous chef Dave Lattomus, followed by classic bistro fare served in the Lobby Lounge, paired with some of France’s finest value wines. The menu will include black pepper pommes frites, salade nicoise and veal Francaise. The $69 admission includes a cooking demonstration, dinner and recipe guide. And don’t forget the Green Room’s new special. Visit Monday through Thursday between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the three-course early dining menu. Price: $35. It’s a bargain price for dining on fresh, seasonally inspired food by Lattomus and chef Keith Miller served on Versace china while seated in cozy wingback chairs. We’re in. 594-3154

So Fun It’s Frightening

Those familiar with Eleganza will be surprised by a new twist this year. It’s now Haunts and Hops, a high-end costume party and craft beer tasting, at Ernest & Scott Taproom in Wilmington. Sure, there will be plenty of great costumes, but we’re more excited about the beer, including seasonal harvest brews, pumpkin brews and Octoberfest brews from some of the best makers in the area. Could there be a better place? Ernest & Scott is all about beer, with the most exciting menu of craft beers going, including some really hard-to-find offerings. Lest you think it’s all about the hops, there will be local wine as well, and all drink will be thoughtfully paired with great dishes from the E&S kitchen. Haunts and Hops benefits the Ministry of Caring’s emergency shelters. Fun for a good cause—we love it.  652-5523, ministryofcaring.org

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An Event With Heart

Chef Ludovic Bezy, general manager at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, admits to be woefully uneducated about heart disease, which kills 1 million Americans a year. Since his brother recently died, he decided to do something about it. That something is Chefs Fight For Your Health, a cooking contest Bezy has organized to raise awareness and money for the American Heart Association. Three chefs—David Leo Banks of the Harry’s restaurant group, Kevin Reading of Abbott’s Grill in Milford and  Hari Cameron of the new a(Muse.) in Rehoboth Beach—will compete for best tasting and healthiest appetizer, entree and dessert. A seven-member jury will pick the winner, but all members of the public can try their food. As they cook, the chefs will explain how their dishes are made, where can they find the products and how they get organized. Doctors, nutritionists and other professionals will comment on the health aspect. Don’t forget the music, games juice bar and more. The event happens at The Great Hall at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Dover on Nov. 3. (chefludovic.com) And since we’re talking about Dover Downs, look for its annual Wine, Music & Spirits Festival in the Rollins Center Oct. 27.

Our Best of Delaware Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!

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