Beer, food and brewery tours planned for Wolf's Ridge first birthday

One year ago, I sat at a blonde wood table with a father and son who dispelled their plans for a brewery and restaurant. They were opening in a section of Downtown that, arguably, doesn't get the best pedestrian traffic. Diners would have to seek them out, I thought to myself. But would they?

The answer was a resounding yes as Wolf's Ridge Brewing has packed diners in for upscale, globally-inspired food (chef Seth Lassak made this year's Tastemaker class) and beer since opening a year ago this weekend. This weekend, they'll celebrate their first anniversary with a specials, brewery tours and a celebratory dinner.

From Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 28, Wolf's Ridge will offer half off every beer on tap, in addition to dinner and brunch specials. From 11:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, guests can also get a sneak peek of the soon-to-open Wolf's Ridge taproom-there will be informal tours of the brewery and the rear taproom, still under construction, throughout the afternoon. There may also be live music and all proceeds from this event will benefit Local Matters.

Rounding out the festivities will be a five-course beer pairing dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. The cost will be $60 for the dinner, or tack on an extra $10 to add beer pairings.

Here's what's on the menu:

First Course

Frog leg lollipops, Clear Sky beer battered, herbed polenta cakes, hopped malt vinegar aioli, lemon chips, parsley

Clear Sky, Cream Ale, 5.1%

Second Course

Endive, beet foam, nasturtium leaves and flowers, shaved shallots, fennel, port reduction

Luck Strikes Twice, West Coast IPA, 6.5%

Third Course

Confit pig cheeks, celeriac mousse, spiced roasted carrots, celery leaves, chicharon, port-pomegranate gastrique, affilia cress

Downtown, Hoppy Brown Ale, 6.0%

Fourth Course

Pan seared salmon, tamarind soy glazed, curried carrot sauce, wasabi greens, crispy salmon skin

Howling Moon, IPA, 8.4%

Fifth Course

Spiced sweet potato cake, pumpkin ice cream, orange marshmallow, hopped kettle corn, chocolate syrup, candied orange zest

Pi, Pumpkin Ale, 7.5%