Cocktail enthusiasts have a new addition to look forward to at the Townsend Grains & Grits Festival coming up November 2. The event brings in whiskey and spirits lovers from across the country, and for good reason. Occurring for its fourth year, the event will be at the Townsend Visitors Center. This year there will be a special addition to the festivities in the form of craft cocktails, alongside some of the region’s historic spirits and culinary delights.
The new addition to this year’s event is a craft cocktail tent that will feature unique concoctions made from the 30 plus featured distillers at the festival. Alongside the tent will be Townsend-native Cades Cover Cellars to provide samples of their locally produced wines.
The tent will be hosted by Single Barrel Events, a local and professional mobile bar tending service that provides trained, knowledgeable and experienced bartenders. The husband and wife team from Las Vegas, Nevada have an immense love for their craft. Jake and Jordan Adams have over 22 years of combined experience in bar tending services in events such as casinos, weddings, conventions, corporate events as well as in-home parties and events.
Jake is an accredited mixologist, graduating from the Academy of Spirits offered by Southern Wine and Spirits. He is trained in both working and exhibition style flair.
“We want to see what the distilleries are trying to showcase during the event. We are coming up with eight to ten different cocktails based on the spirits offered at the event. We can create a cocktail that can’t be duplicated, or we can create one that any bartender can make, just depends,” said Adams.
Single Barrel Event’s goal for the Grains and Grits festival is simple; to provide superior service that allows the attendees to sit back and enjoy the event, as well as offering an exquisite regional cocktail that can’t be beat.
“The ultimate key to a craft cocktail is balance. How it appeals to the pallet, its drinkability and its complexity are all important factors”, said Adams. “All in all, I think it will be a good addition to the event and the attendees won’t be disappointed.”
The festival is arranged and hosted by the Tennessee Distillers Guild and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority. The past three festivals have brought in whiskey and spirits enthusiasts from all over, with over 500 attendees each year. The new addition of the craft cocktail tent promises a unique twist to plan of events and is sure to entertain all types of guests, 21 and up.
Residing at the picturesque foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Townsend Visitors Center located at 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend. Due to the growing popularity of the festival, guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets prior to the event, with general admission tickets at $65 in advance, or $75 the day of the event. More information and tickets are available at grainsandgritsfest.com.
Terry Bunch
