Voracious Event Kicks Off Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival

Lighthouse Beer & Wine will host its Voracious Wine, Beer, Food and Oysters Event on Oct. 25 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. The event serves as the kickoff to Lighthouse’s annual Beer and Wine Festival, which will take place at the park the following day.

Organizer Dmitri Brown dubbed the event the ultimate date night under the lights with delicious bites, bubbles and brews.

“We’re so excited to host a night with our favorite things – wine, beer, oysters and fantastic food from various super-talented chefs; all for a very important nonprofit here in Wilmington, the Carousel Child Advocacy Center,” Brown said.

While Oct. 26’s event includes sampling hundreds of different beers or wines (guests must purchase either a beer-tasting or wine-tasting ticket) only a limited number of tickets are sold for the Voracious event to provide a more intimate setting where guests can sample both beer and wine, as well as bites, and interact with representatives.

The event will feature 25 craft breweries, mostly from North Carolina, as well as wine and champagne.

“The beers are one-offs that haven’t yet been released to the public,” Brown said. “And they will only be available at the Friday (Oct. 25) event.”

In addition to sampling these exclusive brews, guests will enjoy music by The Midatlantic and a live cooking demo featuring chef Eric Gephart with Kamado Joe Grills. Gephart is the former owner of two Wilmington-area restaurants, Buoy 32 Bistro in Wrightsville Beach and Mixto in downtown Wilmington. He has spent the past several years traveling internationally as a chef ambassador for Kamado and will be serving up grilled meat and seafood samples. Oysters will be provided by N. Sea. Oyster Co. and Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., and several local restaurants will also provide bites throughout the evening.

Saturday’s event will feature VIP and general admission ticketing, with music from Soundwavves, The Swellians and the Blue Footed Boobies on the main stage as well as an acoustic stage with Tyler Mckaig and other acoustic artists. Over 250 beers, ciders and seltzers will be available for responsible sampling, and over 100 wines from around the world.

Both events benefit the Carousel Child Advocacy Center, which has been the festival’s beneficiary for nearly 20 years. The center aids child survivors of abuse and neglect and their families through victim support, medical services and forensic interviews, therapeutic services and case management.

“We’re thrilled to have this year’s Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival benefitting the Carousel Child Advocacy Center again,” said Amy Feath, executive director of the Carousel Center. “In its 23rd year, it’s the best opportunity to come together, celebrate, and support a great cause.”

Brown estimates that by next year the festival will have donated $1 million to the Carousel Center.

“We’re an integral part of their annual budget, and it’s great to be able to grow upon that year after year,” Brown said.

For more details and ticket info, click here.