Top 10 food, drink events in September

Now that the summer is winding down, and the temperatures are becoming more bearable, things are beginning to pick up in the event department.

That also means food and drink festivals are revving up. This month there are events for chocolate lovers, craftbeer enthusiasts and anyone who craves spicy dishes.

Summer Dessert Social

Satisfy your sweet tooth at this endof-summer party in central Phoenix. Local First Arizona, Devour Phoenix and Southern Rail come together for this delectable event, featuring desserts from Bernie Kantak, Jada Shiya, Tammie Coe, Justin Beckett and more. Want dinner after dessert? Indulge in BBQ & Bourbon at Southern Rail for an additional $26 per person.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. The Newton, 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. $20. $10 for Local First Arizona Localists. eventbrite.com/e/summerdessert-social-tickets-27181450450.

Urban Ale Trail

Explore Phoenix through tasty craftbeer samples. The Urban Ale Trail, hosted by Downtown Phoenix Inc., is a selfguided tour featuring nearly 20 destinations, including the Duce, Arrogant Butcher, First Draft Book Bar, Copper Blues and DeSoto Central Market. At each stop, participants can pick from three types of beer, each $1 to $2 for a four-ounce sample, each paired with a complimentary snack. The first 300 to arrive at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar will receive a commemorative growler. 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. At downtown and midtown Phoenix venues. dtphx.org/things-to-do/aletrail.

Rock the Guac

On National Guacamole Day, the organizers of the Arizona Taco Festival will do it up with an event dedicated to the delectable dip. Top Valley chefs, including Bernie Kantak of the Gladly and Citizen Public House, Anthony Serrano of El Palacio Cantina, and Mel Mecinas from Talavera, will duke it out for the title of Top Guac. Tickets include unlimited samples of guacamole, and two drink tickets for Patron margaritas or Corona beers. Guests will be entertained with live music and are encouraged to wear rock-music-inspired outfits. Proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona.

6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Phoenix. $40. Tickets available online only. universe.com/rocktheguac.

Horny Toad 40th Anniversary

Cave Creek’s oldest restaurant celebrates 40 years with a ‘70s throwback bash. Horny Toad’s popular fried chicken and strawberry shortcake will be discounted to reflect prices back in the day, and the Blue Hounds will play tunes from the 1970s. The Arizona Gunslingers will showcase their shooting skills, and guests are encouraged to wear ‘70s attire for a chance to win a prize.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. The Horny Toad, 6738 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. Free. 480-488-9542, thehornytoad.com.

Hopageddon

If you love IPAs, you won’t want to miss this event. Papago Brewing Co. will swap out all thirty of their taps, besides their Orange Blossom wheat beer, for IPAs during this two-day event, featuring breweries from all over the country. Fill up between pints with one of the brewery’s signature pizzas or sandwiches.

Doors open at noon, Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 17-18. Papago Brewing Co., 7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale. Free. 480-425-7439, papagobrewing.com.

Rockin’ Taco Street Fest

Celebrate all things taco at this fifth annual event, moving to downtown Chandler for the first time. Festivalgoers can nosh on tasty Mexican eats from places such as El Palacio, International Truck of Tacos and Modern Margarita. Live music will be provided by Tommy Price & The Stilettos, Santana Tribute Band, the Black Moods and more. Additional entertainment includes lucha libre wrestling, taco-eating and salsa competitions, and chihuahua races.

Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $8 for general admission, $65 for VIP. 602-276-2499, rockintacoaz.com.

Sipping Sunshine: Tasting Event with Arizona Beers

The Arizona Republic teams with azcentral.com to launch XAZ: Explore Arizona with this tasting, which is open to the public. Taste exclusive beers from the brewers at O.H.S.O., created with the adventurer in mind. Tickets also include food and entertainment. Joining XAZ is free, sign up to get get newsletters, invites to events, deals and Arizona stories. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 22. O.H.S.O. Eatery + Brewery, 10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. $30. tickets.azcentral.com/ e/sipping-sunshine.

Chocolate and Art Show

Indulge in chocolate samples and works from local artists. The event will feature a wide array of pieces from different disciplines, as well as live portraits, body painting, music an, of course, chocolate.

8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 23-24. The MonOrchid, 214 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. $5 before Sept. 8. $15 from Sept. 8 through event. 602253-0339, chocolateandartshowphoenix 2016.eventbrite.com.

Sriracha Festival

The inaugural spicy event pays homage to the popular chile sauce. Taste a variety of dishes and desserts featuring sriracha sauce, and watch chefs and bartenders compete to create the best sriracha recipes. The festival also features vendors, a game area and sriracha relay. This event is 21 and older.

6-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. $35-$55 for designated-driver ticket, $50-$70 for general admission, $75-$110 for VIP. srirachafestival.net.

Garlic Fest

Enjoy all of the fragrant vegetable you can handle at this third event event. Queen Creek Olive Mill will harvest and sell all of its organic garlic to festival goers. In addition, enjoy garlic-based dishes, cooking demos, tours, games, food trucks, music and even garlic gelato.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 24-25. Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Road. Free. 480-8889290, queencreekolivemill.com.