A release party for a unique, local Calvados-style cider brandy will take place at 5 pm on Oct. 3 at Yahara Bay Distillers, 3118 Kingsley Way, Madison. The brandy is made with organic, heirloom cider apple varieties from the Cider Farm of Blanchardville. Orchard owners Deirdre Birmingham and John Biondi started the orchard a decade ago to raise true cider apples. This is the inaugural product, which, in its use of bitter apples, is able to more properly replicate true French cider brandy. The brandy is aged two years and will be available in limited quantities.
Heartland Farm Sanctuary's Barn Dance and Dinner, 4-7 pm Oct. 19, will feature a vegetarian menu from Monty's Blue Plate Diner. It's at Full Compass Systems, 9779 Silicon Prairie Parkway; ticket info at heartlandfarmsanctuary.org.
The final Plough and Barrel CSA-benefit dinner of the season at the Coopers Tavern will take place Oct. 21. The dinner will feature ingredients from Two Good Farms (Columbus) and Christensen Farm (Browntown), with three courses paired with beers from Lake Louie (Arena). Call 608-256-1600 for ticket info.
