Meal Times

SULLIVAN'S PINK MENU FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS All month long Sullivan's Steakhouse, 300 Colorado #200, 495-6504. $39.95. www.sullivanssteakhouse.com

GEORGETOWN DINNER THEATRE INAUGURAL SEASON OPENS Georgetown Dinner Theater offers an interactive dining and entertainment experience with a buffet prepared by chef Alan Grimsley followed by a production of Steel Magnolias directed by Olin Meadows. Show runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 18-27, 7pm Lockett Buliding Banquet Room, 119 W. Seventh, Georgetown, 512/468-0610. $30. unnnamedtheatreproject@gmail.com, www.brownpapertickets.com

AUSTIN BEER WEEK There are about 100 chances to celebrate hops and barley scattered over the seven days of Austin Beer Week, and an exhaustive guide can be found at www.austinbeerweek.com. Below you'll find a few recommended events if your liver can't handle all 100 events. Also, see Ivy Le's "Home's 'a Brewin'" beer column about ABW and its creators Joanne Marino and Tom Roli, in our upcoming Oct. 26 issue. Oct. 20-27

DRAUGHT HOUSE PUB'S BEER WEEK ACTIVITIES Josh Wilson has a full week of activities starting with a sour beer tasting paired with local chef's appetizers, followed by a different brewer meet & greet every night, and culminating in the 44th anniversary party, complete with rare and unusual beers, pig roasts, and music from DJ JBL. Oct. 20-27 Draught House Pub & Brewery, 4112 Medical Pkwy., 512/452-6258. www.draughthouse.com

BANGER'S BEER COLLEGE Banger's has put together a schedule of classes on wheats, lagers, Belgian-style ales, IPAs, brown ales, pale ales, and stouts, each taught by expert guest professors for your intellectual and gustatory edification. Daily classes offer a tasting flight of exemplary beers paired with a signature house sausage for $15. Check out the schedule online and reserve. Oct. 22-28 Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden, 79 Rainey, 512/386-1656. www.bangersaustin.com

BITE NIGHT Hat Creek introduces some new, healthy menu options by giving away servings of their new Chicken Flashers (deep-fried chicken tenders)during business hours. Bring the kids in costume for Bite Night! Fri., Oct. 26, 11am-9pm. (2012) Hat Creek Burger Company, 5400 Burnet Rd., 512/452-2025. www.hatcreekburgers.com

THAT TAKES THE CAKE CLASS PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE Although the big cake show isn't until February, this Friday is the deadline to take advantage of the 10% early bird class registration discount for decorating classes taught by visiting celebrity instructors. Register in person to set up a six-installment payment plan. Fri., Oct. 26, 10am-7pm. (2012) Make It Sweet, 9070 Research, 512/371-3401. www.makeitsweet.com

44TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Josh Wilson invites folks to help him celebrate the 44th anniversary of the legendary mid-city watering hole with a pig roast, games, music, and plenty of rare and unusual beers. Sat., Oct. 27, 1-10pm. (2012) Draught House Pub & Brewery, 4112 Medical Pkwy., 512/452-6258. www.draughthouse.com

GETTIN' SAUCED BARBECUE SAUCE FESTIVAL Drew Thornley's Man Up Texas BBQ and Taste of the South magazine host this fest with more than 150 sauces from around the world competing for prizes. There will be bbq vendors, local craft beer from Hops & Grain, live music, door prizes, and more. Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels & More. Sat., Oct. 27, 3-6pm. (2012) Hops & Grain Brewery, 507 Calles, #101, 512/537-9756. $8, advance tickets ($25, VIP). gettinsauced.eventbrite.com

MAC & CHEESE CONTEST Former Longhorn great Rodrick Walker will be joined by some of his Longhorn brethren and other local sports figures to judge a mac & cheese contest. Local restaurants will compete for a title to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Admission gets you access to food samples, silent auction items, and door prizes. Sat., Oct. 27, noon-4pm. (2012) Ruth's Chris Steak House, 107 W. Sixth, 512/477-7884. $10 ($5, kids). www.ruthschris-austin.com

NORTH BY NORTHWEST OKTOBERFEST This pet- and family-friendly two-day event offers games, contests, and entertainment, plus plenty of German food, music, and beer, all to benefit local nonprofits. Full schedule online. Sat., Oct. 27, 11:30am-11pm; Sun., Oct. 28, 11:30am-7pm North by Northwest Restaurant & Brewery, 10010 Capital of TX Hwy. N., 512/467-6969. www.nxnw.com

OKTOBERFEST AT SCHOLZ GARTEN Live music, bowling, and, naturally, a bit of imbibing. Sat., Oct. 27, 11am-2am; Sun., Oct. 28, 11am-6pm Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto, 474-1958. $15. www.austoberfest.com

GREEN CORN PROJECT'S GROW LOCALLY, COOK GLOBALLY BENEFIT Austin's favorite gardening nonprofit holds its annual fundraiser on the pastoral grounds of the historic East Austin farm, with signature dishes from many local restaurants, a silent auction, chef demos, and live music. Sun., Oct. 28, noon-3pm. (2012) Boggy Creek Farm, 3414 Lyons, 512/926-4650. $40 ($35, advance). www.boggycreekfarm.com

SOUTHERN STAR BEER DINNER Chefs Nathan Lemley and Anthony Fusco get a chance to shine, preparing a five-course dinner to be paired with fantastic brews from Southern Star Brewing Company. Reserve by phone. Sun., Oct. 28, 7pm. (2012) Foreign & Domestic, 306 E. 53rd, 512/459-1010. $75, all inclusive. www.fndaustin.com

COOKBOOK SIGNING WITH DAVID VENABLE QVC cooking show host will be in Austin to sign copies of his debut cookbook, In the Kitchen with David: QVC's Resident Foodie Presents Comfort Foods That Take You Home (Ballantine Books, $30). Tue., Oct. 30, 7pm. (2012) BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, 512/472-5050. www.bookpeople.com

FREE POPCORN DAY Drop by the campus-area shop in your Halloween costume for free popcorn. Tue., Oct. 30, 10am-8pm. (2012) Austin Cornucopia Popcorn, 1914 Guadalupe Ste. B, 512/477-2676. www.austincornucopia.com

MONTHLY WINE DINNER Enjoy a four-course Italian meal paired with wines chosen by sommelier Pier Manna. Reserve by phone. Tue., Oct. 30, 7pm. (2012) Andiamo Ristorante, 2521 Rutland, 512/719-3377. $45. www.andiamoitaliano.com

TRAILER FOOD TUESDAYS HALLOWEEN PARTY Ten local food trailers decorated for Halloween will park on the Long Center City Terrace to serve food and host costume contests for kids (6:30pm) and adults (8:30pm) with special prizes. Tue., Oct. 30, 5-9pm. (2012) Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside, 512/457-5100. www.thelongcenter.org

SKARAOKE 2012 AT OPAL'S FREEHOUSE If it's Halloween, it's time for Skaraoke at Opal's with live entertainment, food and drink specials, and combined costume and song contests, all to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Center. Wed., Oct. 31, 7pm. (2012) Opal Divine's Freehouse, 700 W. Sixth, 512/477-3308. www.opaldivines.com

A TASTE OF AFRICAN HERITAGE Local food journalist Toni Tipton-Martin offers a free series of cooking classes based on a traditional healthy African diet. Get more information and sign up for the class via email. Through Dec. 13, 6pm Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina, 512/974-4926. info@thesandeyouthproject.org, www.carvermuseum.org

PARAMOUNT THEATER HOSTS MICHAEL POLLAN Bestselling author and influential food activist speaks at the Paramount Theatre and will be feted with a preshow meet-and-greet reception at HausBar Farm (3300 Govalle) with food and drinks from local purveyors starting at 5pm. Thu., Nov. 1, 8pm. (2012) Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress, 512/472-5470. $35. www.austintheatre.org

SALT LICK COOKBOOK SIGNING Second-generation pitmaster Scott Roberts and co-author Jessica Dupuy sign copies of The Salt Lick Cookbook: A Story of Land, Family, and Love (Salt Lick Restaurant, $40). Thu., Nov. 1, 7pm. (2012) BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, 512/472-5050. www.bookpeople.com

GIACOMO VICO WINE DINNER Enjoy a five-course menu prepared by chef Carlos Garcia paired with wines from Giacomo Vico. Reserve by phone Fri., Nov. 2, 7pm. (2012) Sullivan's Steakhouse, 300 Colorado #200, 512/495-6504. $99, plus tax and tip. www.sullivansteakhouse.com

GRAND OPENING TASTING PARTY Chef Greg Ray invites foodies and gluten-free diners to the grand opening tasting party at GoodFellows, his new shop offering a full line of prepared gluten-free food items and baked goods for takeout. Fri., Nov. 2, 6-9pm. (2012) GoodFellows, 8863 Anderson Mill Road #101, 512/825-6096. www.goodfellowsfoods.com

JAZZ SUPPER CLUB SERIES Jeff Lofton brings the jazz supper club experience to Austin with a series featuring cocktails, dining, and dancing to the music of the Jeff Lofton Quartet with singer Donna Hightower. Food and drinks sold separately by Sterling Affairs. Fri., Nov. 2, 7-11:30pm. (2012) Shoal Crossing Event Center, 8611 MoPac N., 512/261-0142. $30. www.jefflofton.com

TOP OF THE HILL COUNTRY WINE TRAIL Join the seven wineries along the Top of the Hill Country wine trail in a patriotic salute to the country and our armed forces on from Friday through Sunday of this Veterans Day weekend. Tickets cover a souvenir wine glass, Celebrate American T-shirt, wine tastings, and a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Go online for more information and to by tickets. Alamosa Wine Cellars, 677 CR 430, Bend, 325/628-3313. www.topofhillcountry.com/product-p/stopwhining.htm

WHISKIES OF THE WORLD EXPO Fri., Nov. 2, 6-10pm. (2012) Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd., 408/225-0446. $120. www.whiskiesoftheworld.com