This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Thursday, February 17
Considering what's going on at the state Capitol, it's a good thing that there's a plentitude of drinks this week. Distill America: A Celebration of American Distilling" is a super-duper tasting event featuring more than three dozen craft and "legendary" distilleries. Wisconsin craft distillers will showcase their products -- Death's Door, Yahara Bay, Great Lakes, Old Sugar Factory, Aeppeltreow, and 45th Parallel will all be there. Hors' d'oeuvres will be available for leavening the effect of all that sampling. Organized by the report about last year's tasting. "With 30-some exhibitors and well over a hundred different products, keeping the sample small was an important consideration." Edgewater Hotel, 666 Wisconsin Ave., 7-10 p.m., $55 or $65 with VIP tasting at 6:15 p.m. Call 255-8041 for more info.
Saturday, February 19
After you've come to terms with reality again, you might want to head to the Wisconsin Brewers Guild Technical Conference. Homebrewers will geek out on sessions like "Hop Chemistry in Brewing: The Science Behind the Art," and "Cultivating Indigenous Yeast," while Isthmus beer writer Robin Shepard will be speaking on "Water Quality and Craft Brewing in Wisconsin." The commentary, noting that it "can serve a lot of functions." Inn on the Park, 22 S. Carroll St., 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 441-1992 for more info.
The brew-crazy party continues at Beer for Wishes, a tasting organized by the , and also features games and raffles. Great Dane - Downtown, 123 E. Doty St., 1-5 p.m. Call 441-1992 for more info.
More events this week
Wednesday, February 16
Interfaith Potluck Breakfast, with guests sharing dishes and conversation while listening to music from different religions traditions. Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society, 2010 Whenona Dr., 8 a.m. Call 271-8217 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 7-8:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Gluten-free Sweets and Treats, a class with Hallie Klecker of the blog Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Thursday, February 17
Mediterranean Odyssey with Chef Sabi, a cooking class with Chef Sabi Attiyeh preparing recipes featuring phyllo dough. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $25 owners and $35 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Saturday, February 19
"Taste of the Market" breakfast at the preparing a menu of its own cured pastrami or smoked mushrooms and spinach in a potato confit hash, garlic and carrots with poached egg, macerated celeriac mushroom and green salad with sunflower vinaigrette, and cress spring toast with raspberry jame and house-made ricotta. Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., 8 a.m.-noon, $7.50 adults and $3.75 kids and smaller portions. Call 455-1999 for more info.
Friends of Drumlin Community Gardens meeting, covering ongoing efforts in support of the urban agriculture program located on the south side of Madison. Infoshop, 1019 Williamson St., 4 p.m. Call 262-9036 for more info.
Snowshoe Walk & Wine Tasting, a fundraiser for playground equipment, organized by , eight miles west of Monroe off Hwy. 11, noon, $20 adults and kids under 15 free. Call 608-558-2289 for more info.
Sunday, February 20
REAP Snack Prep, with volunteers needed to prepare and package fresh, healthy, and locally-grown treats for kids at 14 elementary schools around Madison. Savory Sunday, with volunteers neeed to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Monday, February 21
Family Dinner Night, a weekly meal hosted by The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 6:30 p.m., $5. Call 257-1039 for more info.
Save the date
Tuesday, February 22
Backyard Herb Gardening for the Novice, a class taught by herbalist Lauri Lee of the Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 6 p.m., $38. Please RSVP by February 15, and call 246-4550 for more info.
Wednesday, February 23
Help Your Vegetable Garden Produce Like a Vegetable Garden, a class taught by Claire Strader and Megan Cain of Madison Farmworks that covers intermediate and advanced skills that include selection, garden design, succession planting, and crop location. Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 6 p.m., $38. Please RSVP by February 16, and call 246-4550 for more info.
