On Saturday, October 12, 2019 The Grog Restaurant’s 12th Annual Chili Cook-Off & Craft Beer Fest will be held from 12 noon to 4 pm under the tent at The Tannery Marketplace, 50 water Street in Newburyport. This great event began as a chili cook-off held for six years in The Grog’s parking lot, has grown each year in popularity and diversity. With the generosity of their co-sponsor, The Tannery Marketplace, The Grog has been able to triple attendance over the years by adding the perfect complement to chili, a craft beer festival.

Billed as the Northshore’s most creative chili competition, Newburyport area restaurants and markets vie for The Peoples’ Choice Award for Best Chili. Everyone who purchases a ticket gets to vote. So far the 2019 participating restaurants include: Michael’s Harborside, The Grog, Metzy’s, Brick & Ash, Loretta, Dos Amigos,  The Paddle Inn, and Port Tavern (more to come)

This is a competitive event and an honor to be selected as the Grog Chili Fest winner. For 2019 The Michael’s Harborside took 1st place for the 3rd year in a row. The Grog was 2nd place, Andiamo was 3rd and Metzy’s was 4th. The top pick in 2018 & 2017 was Michael’s Harborside, in 2016 was Port Plums and in 2015 the winner was Port City Sandwich Company! There are many local eateries that will participate in this fun event.

This is the sixth year of the craft beer and cider-makers tasting. Many local and regional breweries are participating and the list will be published closer to the event date.

The event was created to benefit local food pantries and it still does. The Pettingill House in Salisbury, Our Neighbors’ Table in Amesbury, and Community Services of Newburyport share the proceeds from the festival. The agencies attend the event each year to provide information regarding their services and to accept food donations from attendees.

Tickets to the event are $10 for Unlimited Chili Tasting and $25 for Beer & Chili Tasting. This is an all-ages community festival and children 10 and under are admitted free. Tickets will be sold on-site.