Day of Darkness stout fest returns!

Dark beer tradition started at the iconic Tap and Mallet pub is being resurrected at the Sheffield in Brighton

Note: This newsletter is supported by Rohrbach Brewing Co., a pioneering craft brewery in the city of Rochester.

A beloved event from an iconic Rochester pub is being resurrected Saturday at a new spot.

Tap and Mallet hosted its Day of Darkness stout festival every year. It allowed owner Joe McBane to shine a light on barrel-aged rarities and other dark delights. When the pub closed at the end of 2021, so did Day of Darkness.

But now McBane is bringing back the event at his new establishment, The Sheffield tavern, 1776 Monroe Avenue in Brighton. The spirit of the original event lives on, McBane said. The Sheffield’s Day of Darkness, featuring at least 14 dark beers on draft, kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

“It was one of our most popular events we ever did at Tap,” McBane said. “So we’re bringing back to life at the new watering hole. It’s the same format — find some really cool beers. It takes me quite a while to find all of the things I want to put on tap. So we’re rolling it out.”

The Sheffield is also offering a dessert flight featuring sweet treats meant to pair with the dark beers. It’ll include items like crème brûlée and other pastries.

Entry doesn’t require a ticket. Patrons are encouraged to responsibly enjoy whichever beers interest them most. Beers will be available in 5-ounce pours, too.

“Come when you like and enjoy what you fancy,” McBane said. (It’s really fun and fitting if you try to read this quote to yourself in an English accent, too.) “It should be a fun day, I’d reckon.”

Asked what beers he’s most excited about, McBane offered the following selections:

1. Firestone Walker, which McBane called a foundational brewery for past events;

2. Pipeworks Pothole City, marketed as a “Chicago Rocky Road Imperial Stout with marshmallow, vanilla, cacao nibs, lactose, and almond;”

3. Aslin El Rio, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial pastry stout with peanut butter, caramel, and vanilla.

He’s just looking forward to bringing back one of Tap’s signature events.

“It’s something that I came up with years back and it’s nice to be able to bring some things over,” McBane said. “I want it to feel familiar and new.”

Title sponsor: Rohrbach Brewing Co.

This work is made possible through support from Rohrbach Brewing Co. Rohrbach features two locations — its Beer Hall at 97 Railroad St. in the city of Rochester and its brewpub at 3859 Buffalo Road in the town of Ogden. Since 1991, Rohrbach has been producing classics and influencing the Rochester beer scene, including its iconic Scotch Ale.

The brewery’s support allows this work to remain free for this audience. So make sure to get out to Rohrbach and support one of the best establishments in our area.

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