Manson Events Attract a Happy Crowd

Friends, Food, Wine, Brews and More at Manson’s St. Patrick’s Day Activities

By Loni Rahm

We smelled it long before we saw it. The unmistakable and tantalizing aroma of BBQ reached my daughter and I from at least 3 blocks away.

This group of friends enjoyed their stop at Hard Row to Hoe Winery.

St. Patrick’s Day was full of activity in and around Manson…including wine and cider-tasting at 20 tasting rooms and wineries during the annual Taste Manson event. Shuttles ran constantly throughout the day taking participants to, from, and between the wineries that dot the hillside around Manson.

Beer was also in great demand. Taps featuring locally crafted brews and a few old-favorites, were kept flowing at pubs and restaurants throughout the downtown.

But the showpiece of the afternoon, and the cause of the incredible sweet-and-spicy scent infusing the smoke hovering downtown, was the 4th annual “Meat in the Streets” Wings Competition, sponsored by My Buddy’s Place.

Samples were distributed, judges were consulted and when the smoke cleared (literally), Stormy Mountain Brewing and Local Public House emerged victorious. Well-known for its BBQ focused menu which includes a 6-pack of freshly made in-house BBQ sauces at each table, Owner/Brewer Garth Donald said he was “very, very proud” of the win.

Stormy Mountain Brewing Head Chef, Luis Rodriguez, shows off his award-winning wings.

LakeChelanNow had an opportunity to congratulate Donald, and ask him about his secret recipe.

“Our Head Chef, Luis Rodriguez, really spearheaded this competition” said Donald. The recipe incorporated a special 16-spice rub and Donald indicated they used their “fantastic house BBQ sauce as a base” but was enhanced by a few extras specifically chosen for wings.

According to Donald, wings are a bit time intensive to offer on a daily menu, but they are looking at adding a Sunday Night Chicken Wings special to their menu. For additional information about this family-friendly restaurant located in downtown Chelan, visit their website http://stormymountainbrewing.com/