There are plenty of chances to get a few drinks this weekend, under the guise of research and helping your local San Antonio Library Foundation. First off, the guys at Dorcol Distilling Company (1902 S. Flores St.) are opening their doors on Saturday, July 18 from 8-10:30 p.m., and hosting the first ever Borracho Helado: Summer Ice Cream and Cocktail Social with local restaurants and ice cream shops competing to see who makes the best adult treat using the distillery's award-winning Kinsman Rakia. A panel of judges (I'll be at my most judge-y for the occasion) will choose the Helado Borracho winner, while guests can vote for their fave from the participants including Lüke San Antonio, The House Boozy Ice Cream & Brews, Brindles Awesome Ice Creams, Cocina Heritage and A La Mode Gelato. Tickets, $10, include admission, samples and access to the distillery.
Book nerds that love to party can check out the First Edition Society's Hunter S. Thompson's Gonzo Tiki Birthday Party on Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. inside The Warehouse (1119 S. St. Mary's St.). The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the San Antonio Public Library Foundation will include tiki drinks via Milan & Turin, a pig roast by Mark "Wildcat" Garcia of Alchemy, bites by The Bees Knees Catering Co., music by DJ Dynamic Jagger and books for sale from The Twig Book Shop. Pre-sale tickets, $40, are available at saplf.org/events in advance and $50 at the door.
On the city's Southside, Hurricane Grill & Wings (2611 SE Military Drive, #108, 210-333-4329) will celebrate its third birthday with a seaside bash on Thursday, July 16 with happy hour from 2:30-10:30 p.m., including $2.99 house liquors, tall drafts and bottles, $3.99 Cruzan, Smirnoff and Sauza liquors, import tall drafts and bottles and 20-ounce frozen margaritas. Specialty cocktails will be $4.99 and appetizers (except for the Perfect Storm) are $5.99.
In fun beer news, friends and beer fans Catherine Contreras and local comedienne Brandi Dunagan will kick off a monthly live taping of She's Crafty Podcast starting July 26 at 6 p.m. inside The Hoppy Monk (1010 N. Loop 1604 E., 210-545-3330). The podcast features the women chatting about craft brew news as beer fans, not beer snobs. The podcast will be recorded live every last Sunday of the month with celebrity guests and beer experts.
