2021 ilani BrewFest To Support Local Restaurants of Clark County

ilani Casio Resort is set to host is annual ilani BrewFest this coming weekend and this year things will be a bit different as the three-day event will be a fundraiser to support local restaurants. Taking place from February 19 – 21, ilani Brewfest will transition to Brews for a Good Cause to raise money to support local Clark County restaurants during this challenging time. Ten events throughout the weekend will feature local restaurants; beer and spirits from the Pacific Northwest and beyond; as well as special offerings from ilani’s signature restaurant Rose & Thorn.

“ilani has been fortunate to be able to reopen safely for our guests and team members, but we know that many of our colleagues in the Southwest Washington restaurant community are hurting right now,” said Kara Fox-LaRose, president and general manager of ilani, in a release. “We are proud to offer our support alongside the Northwest Wine & Food Society, raising much-needed funds while partnering with area restaurateurs and fabulous brewers and distillers.”

Each this weekend, ilani will host live entertainment to complement the dining events during two seatings that allow for proper social distancing and safety precautions. These dining events will feature unique food-and-drink pairing menus created by a different local restaurant and brewery combination. Participating restaurants include Beaches, Cactus Ya Ya, Main Event Sports Grill and Natalia’s Café, while breweries include Elysian Brewing, Hop Valley Brewing Co., Kona Brewing Co. and Loowit Brewing Company. Each event is also co-hosted by the Northwest Wine & Food Society, which typically supports students and partners in the food and wine industry and is now helping local restaurants through the COVID-19 crisis.

“The Northwest Wine & Food Society is grateful for the ongoing support of ilani in furthering our mission, especially the Restaurant Reboot program,” said Julie Olson, Clark County’s Councilor of District 2, in a release.

Mark Matthias, president of Beaches Restaurant & Bar, continued in the release, “We are grateful to ilani and the Northwest Wine & Food Society for this opportunity to showcase our culinary chops while supporting our friends in the restaurant community. The past year has been difficult for so many, and we are pleased to lend a hand.”

For those that choose to venture out to the casino during the pandemic, ilani is following CDC guidelines for seating, including social distancing. Guests will be required to wear masks, except when actively eating or drinking, and masks will be required when interacting with team members and when leaving the table.

Here’s a rundown on the events this coming weekend at ilani in Ridgefield, Washington.

Feb. 19: Bourbon Plays Starring Role at ilani Signature Restaurant
To kick-off the BrewFest weekend, ilani’s signature restaurant Rose & Thorn host a decadent meal centered on luscious bourbon on Friday, Feb. 19. This Cajun-Bourbon Dinner is at 7:00 p.m. The four-course meal features Louisiana favorites, such as shrimp and grits and New Orleans-style jambalaya, as well as whiskey pairings exclusively from the Jim Beam Distillery. Tickets are $75 per person.

Feb. 20: BBQ Benefit — Main Event Sports Grill and Loowit
On Saturday, Feb. 20, at Noon, Muze Lounge will be the scene of a barbecue benefit prepared by Main Events Sports Grill and Loowit. The four-course meal features Texas-style chili, a smokehouse chopped salad, slow-roasted beef brisket and a vanilla bourbon crème brulee, with each course paired with a Loowit brew. Seating is at noon, and tickets are $65 per person.

Feb 20: Tex-Mex — Cactus Ya Ya and Hop Valley
Diners head to the southern border for a flavorful Tex-Mex treat on Saturday, Feb. 20. Prepared by Cactus Ya Ya, this four-course meal features “Ya Ya Rolls,” chile verde, enchiladas with mesquite-smoked chicken and tres leches cake. Each course is accompanied by selections from Hop Valley Brewing Co. Seating is at 4:00 p.m., and tickets are $65 per person.

Feb. 21: Big Island Luau — Natalia’s Café and Kona Brewing
Guests will be transported to paradise on Sunday, Feb. 21, with a four-course meal of Hawaiian favorites in Muze Lounge. Natalia’s Café recreates a luau experience with candied bacon skewers, ahi tuna poke, slow-roasted Kahlua pork and white chocolate haupia — all complemented by selections from Kona Brewing. Seating is at noon, and tickets are $70 per person.

Feb. 21: Seattle Style Asian Fusion — Beaches and Elysian
Live entertainment will lead diners into an experience of Asian fusion cuisine at Muze Lounge on Sunday, Feb. 21. Riverside favorite Beaches Restaurant & Bar partners with Elysian Brewing to highlight the distinct flavors of this four-course meal of ahi tuna tataki, kim chi salad, Korean-style braised short rib and a mango matcha Bavarian. Seating is at 4:00 p.m., and tickets are $80 per person.

To participate in any BrewFest event, guests must be 21 years of age or older, with valid government-issued identification. The schedule, events, breweries/distilleries and menus are subject to change. Details about the event — as well as links to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster — can be found at http://ilanibrewfest.com/

For more information, visit ilaniresort.com and follow ilani on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.