This blog entry is jam-packed with upcoming food and beverage events, so click on “Read more” for details about:

* the release of New Belgium Brewing Company beers at local retailers
* a birthday bash at Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
* free tastings at Vintage Cellar
* the end of a local food retail service
* a murder mystery dinner at Hotel Roanoke
* a three sisters (corn, beans and squash) with buffalo dinner at Local Roots
* some local poultry options this fall
and
* a cookbook to benefit the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley

* According to Teri Goodman with Blue Ridge Beverage Co., Inc. of Salem, they have been awarded rights to distribute the New Belgium Brewing Company brand (brewers of “Fat Tire Amber Ale”) in 49 counties in Virginia.

Aaron Layman, the beer buyer at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke, said the Colorado-based brewery’s products were the most-requested at their shop until they became available. Other New Belgium beers include Ranger IPA, Hoptober and Belgian Trippel. Check Wine Gourmet for those beers, as well as any limited “Lips of Faith” releases from New Belgium. Wine Gourmet is at 3524 Electric Rd., Roanoke. 400-VINO.

Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar in Roanoke is also carrying New Belgium. According to a recent news release, they will try to stock all of the varieties (some according to seasonality). Mr. Bill’s is at 2825-B Brambleton Ave., Roanoke. 400-7771. Mr. Bill’s is also having a 1st birthday party on Saturday, Sept.10 that will feature food, live music, special prizes and rock-bottom sale prices on some wine and beer specials.

In the New River Valley, you can find New Belgium at Vintage Cellar at 1338 S. Main Street in Blacksburg. They are carrying all varieties mentioned above, as well as a couple of limited releases. They happen to be having a tasting today from noon to 6 p.m. that will feature New Belgium Super Cru, as well as some non-New Belgium brews. Vintage Cellar has beer tastings every Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and wine tastings every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To see if any other stores are carrying the brand, and to check out restaurants that carry it, go to the locator on the company website here.

* Unfortunately, I have to report that Runner-bean.com, the experimental online local food shopping center, has folded. I wrote about Runner Bean here. Kathy O’Hara, who ran Runner Bean, wrote to subscribers:”I just couldn’t figure out how to get enough subscribers to make my weekly trips to the farmers and the drop off points pay.  So although I think the concept is way cool, it may not be the right economy or the right model for Roanoke.  If you know of someone who is a great marketer and who feels they know who to market it, let me know, and I’ll do my best to transfer the retail portion of the business to them.  If not, we shall have to say good bye.” If you are interested in the retail business, Kathy can be reached at kathy@runner-bean.com.

* The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is hosting a murder mystery dinner! Here are some details from an e-mail from spokesman Michael Quonce: “Artistic Director Alex Parrish brings his New River Stage production of ‘Count Down to Murder’ to The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center for a night of humor, murder and mystery on September 24, 2011, beginning at 6 p.m.

Featuring classical flavors from a four-course dinner to the show, ‘Count Down to Murder’ is about an eccentric, wealthy Count who has been mysteriously killed where you become the dinner detective. The show is family friendly and features a healthy amount of audience participation.”

I’m told the tickets, which include dinner and the show, are $65 per person (not including tax and service charge). Kids 12 and under, $45. For more info, call the hotel at 985-5900.

* On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Local Roots Restaurant in Roanoke is having a Three Sisters with Buffalo dinner, “right at the first new moon after the autumnal equinox,” wrote owner Diane Elliot. Diane says the dinner is to honor the harvest and the “native peoples of this area.” The $40 ticket includes hors d’oeuvres and a three-course meal featuring buffalo and the three sisters of the traditional Native American diet, corn, beans and squash. The reception with hor d’oeuvres is at 6:30 pm and the dinner at 7 pm.  Call for tickets to reserve your spot. 540-206-2610.

* Angie LeNoir and Patricia Whitt of the Blue Ridge Poultry Co-op emailed me to apologetically announce that they won’t have birds for sale this season. However, they offered these alternative sources for local pastured poultry:

– Haden and Kathy Dulaney of Highland Farm in Floyd, VA (Angie’s parents) raise grass fed highland cattle, pastured pork and broilers. They are at the Salem Farmer’s Market weekly. You can contact them at hkdulaney@swva.net

– Brent and Anna Wills of Bramble Hollow Farm raise heritage breed turkey for Thanksgiving. They can be reached at bramblehollowfarm@hughes.net

*The Surgical Services Department at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery has produced its own cookbook, “Cut ‘N’ Up.”  Physicians, nurses, transporters and administrators shared their family recipes to support this fundraising effort. The cookbook is on sale in the hospital’s gift shop for $10 with all proceeds benefiting the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley, a non-profit agency that offers services to the victims of domestic violence.

That’s all for now, folks. Stay tuned.