Cocktail Kitchen with Driftwood Beer at The Refinery

On May 11th I attended my first ever Cocktail Kitchen and for this one it was with a twist, this one was with Driftwood Beer mixed into a variety of cocktails. I had no idea what to expect, though I had heard many stories from friends about the various Cocktail Kitchen’s they attended at The Refinery in the past.

The format of the Cocktail Kitchen Series is that each month features a food theme and a spirit. For May, there was a Thai vegetarian menu designed by The Refinery’s Ben de Champlain that was up against Driftwood Brewery beer. The competing bartender had to create original cocktails to pair with each of the three dishes, using the featured beverage and one of The Refinery’s house bitters. Guests then rated the cocktails, the taste of their food pairings, and the bartender’s presentation.

Lauren Mote & Ben de Champlain of The Refinery were the hosts of the night.

Here is what Lauren and Ben of The Refinery served guests:

Driftwood Ale Amuse Cocktail

The Malteser - with Driftwood White Bark ale, ovaltine and bourbon

Thai Soup with coconut, mushrooms, galangai, chili and herbs

Pineapple Express with Driftwood Batog IPA, vodka, grapefruit bitters, lemongrass lemon drop

Thai Salad - mango, papaya, mint, coriander and citrus

Bark has Bite - with Driftwood Farmhand Ale, homemade root beer

Mussaman Curry - peanuts, pineapple, potato, longan, herbs

For a calendar of the next Cocktail Kitchen check here.

The Refinery is located at 1115 Granville Street, Vancouver

By: Richard Wolak

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