Canada Day celebrates Canada's independence from Britain on July 1, 1867. Prior to 1867, Canada was a British North American Colony composed of present-day Ontario and Quebec. Consider: a Canadian-themed cocktail (think maple syrup infusions) or a throwback showing of the 1983 movie Strange Brew? Photo by Andre Furtado from Pexels

Anisette, or Anis, is an anise-flavored liqueur that is consumed in most Mediterranean countries. It is colorless, and because it contains sugar, is sweeter than dry anise flavored spirits (e.g. absinthe). Food Pairing: anisette cocktails or anise-flavored beverages pair well with goat’s cheese, seafood, lamb and oysters. Photo available from Keralashopy.com

#BeerRunDay | First observed in 2019 by the Brewers Association, Beer Run Day is meant to show support for all independent craft breweries by promoting beer purchase the day before Independence Day. Promotions: breweries should consider to-go specials and social promotion leading up to Beer Run Day. Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states. Consider:… Read More »Independence Day

Sparkling wine is one with significant levels of carbon dioxide in it, making it fizzy. While the phrase commonly refers to champagne, EU countries legally reserve that term for products exclusively produced in the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wine is usually either white or rosé, but there are examples of red sparkling wines such… Read More »Sparkling Wine Week

When Sylvester Graham first invented the slightly sweetened cracker, he intended it as a health food. In the early 1800s, the Presbyterian minister developed the cracker as part of his “Graham Diet” program. They were made from whole wheat graham flour with added bran and wheat germs. He believed his snack would curb sinful cravings.… Read More »Graham Cracker Day

#WorldChocolateDay | Not surprisingly, probably the best way to celebrate World Chocolate Day is a themed dessert-beverage pairing, like flourless chocolate cake with a Cigar Malt Scotch.

A dive bar is a disreputable bar or pub where local residents gather to drink and socialize. In an article in its August 2010 issue, Playboy magazine described a dive bar as “a church for down-and-outers and those who romanticize them, a rare place where high and low rub elbows—bums and poets, thieves and slumming… Read More »Dive Bar Day

Rum is a liquor made by fermenting then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The distillate, a clear liquid, is usually aged in oak barrels. Most rums are produced in Caribbean and American countries, but also in other sugar producing countries, such as the Philippines and India. Promotions: Rum has a wild history worth sharing… Read More »World Rum Day

The piña colada is a sweet cocktail made with rum, cream of coconut or coconut milk, and pineapple juice, usually served either blended or shaken with ice. It may be garnished with either a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, or both. Flavors: the piña colada flavor can be found in many beverages outside the traditional cocktail.… Read More »Piña Colada Day

Rainier Cherry Day recognizes the cherry variety named after Mount Rainier. In 1952, Harry Fogle of Washington State University developed the Rainier cherry by cross-breeding the Bing and Van cherry varieties. The sweet Rainier cherries have a thin skin and a thin creamy-yellow flesh. Flavors: cherry flavor is quite common in alcoholic beverages.

Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball. Traditionally, a mojito is a cocktail that consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. Its combination of sweetness, citrus, and herbaceous mint flavors is intended to complement the rum, and has made the mojito a popular summer drink. Did you know: there are… Read More »Mojito Day

A Michelada is a cerveza preparada made with beer, lime juice, assorted sauces, spices, tomato juice, and chile peppers. It is served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. There are numerous variations of this beverage throughout Mexico. Consider: if your tasting room serves food on-site and you have a license that allows for brunch service, thematic,… Read More »Michelada Day

Grand Marnier is a French brand of liqueurs. The brand's best-known product is Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, an orange-flavored liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is made from a blend of Cognac brandy, distilled essence of bitter orange, and sugar. Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is 40% alcohol. Pairing: Grand Marnier has been the… Read More »Grand Marnier Day

Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries to the national day of France. The French National Day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people… Read More »Bastille Day

Gummy worms are small, fruit gum candies, roughly 1-2 inches long and shaped in the form of a worm. Consider: your beer, wine or whiskey may pair perfectly with gummy flavors…perhaps a gummy worm pairing promotion as a surprise-and-delight for guests? Talked up on social with exaggerated/staged pairing photos? Could be fun…or not?

Inspired by the country combination of rhubarb and strawberries in pies. Did you know: in July of 2010, Maple River Winery in historic downtown Casselton, North Dakota, proudly accepted the Double Gold Award at the Indy International Wine Competition for its Strawberry Rhubarb Wine. Consider: if you’re in a part of the country where this… Read More »Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in July. A sweet treat: consider ice cream pairings with your beer, wine, whiskey or other fermentable.

#WorldEmojiDay | World Emoji Day is an unofficial holiday, deemed a "global celebration of emoji". Celebrated annually since 2014, NBC reported that the day was Twitter's top trending item on this day in 2015. Contest: chances are good that you already use quite a few emojis in your social posts…so ask your fans/followers what emoji… Read More »World Emoji Day

Arnold (Arnoul) of Soissons or Arnold or Arnulf of Oudenburg is a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, the patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewers. At the time of an epidemic, rather than stand by while the local people fell ill from drinking water, Arnold had them consume his monastery brews. Because of this,… Read More »St. Arnoldus Day

Daiquiri is a family of cocktails whose main ingredients are Rum, citrus juice, and sugar or other sweetener. The daiquiri is one of the six basic drinks listed in David A. Embury's classic The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, which also lists some variations. Did you know: you can use beer and wine in place… Read More »Daiquiri Day

Belgian National Day is the national holiday of Belgium commemorated annually on 21 July. It is one of Belgium's ten public holidays and marks the anniversary of the investiture of King Leopold I, the country's first monarch, in 1831. If you serve: Belgian beers or even Belgian-inspired beers, consider drink specials or a thematic event… Read More »Belgian National Day

#VanillaIceCreamDay | Did you know: President Thomas Jefferson may have discovered vanilla flavor while visiting France? He even produced a handwritten copy of a vanilla ice cream recipe in 1780.

#NationalTequilaDay | Tequila is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila 65 km (40 mi) northwest of Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands (Los Altos de Jalisco) of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco. Tequila can be between 35- and 55-percent alcohol content… Read More »Tequila Day

A drive-through or drive-thru, is a type of take-out service provided by a business that allows customers to purchase products without leaving their cars. The format was pioneered in the United States in the 1930s by Jordan Martin, but has since spread to other countries. During Coronavirus: drive-thrus, curbside pickup and local delivery are essential.… Read More »Drive-Thru Day

#ParentsDay | Parents' Day is observed in South Korea (May 8) and in the United States (fourth Sunday of July). The United States day was created in 1994 under President Bill Clinton. June 1 has also been proclaimed as "Global Day of Parents" by the United Nations as a mark of appreciation for the commitment… Read More »Parents’ Day

12 classic wine and cheese pairings to consider: Pinot Noir and Gruyere, Aged Port and Blue Stilton, Champagne and Brie, Moscato d’Asti and Gorgonzola, Tempranillo and Idiazabel, Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese, Cabernet Sauvignon and aged cheddar, Provence Rosé and Havarti, Riesling and Raclette, Chianti Classico and Pecorino Toscano, Vermentino and Fiore Sardo or Malbec… Read More »Wine and Cheese Day

Scotch whisky is malt whisky or grain whisky (or a blend of the two), made in Scotland. Scotch whisky must be made in a manner specified by law. Did you know: The first known written mention of Scotch whisky is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, 1494. Scotch whisky was known as aqua vitae, Latin… Read More »Scotch Day

Historically, the name refers to the wine produced around the city of Shiraz in Persia/Iran. In the current era, "Shiraz" is an alternative name for the Syrah grape, mostly used in Australia and South Africa. The modern "Shiraz" grape is identical to Syrah and originated in southeast France with no established connection to the city… Read More »Shiraz Day

First observed in 2015 by Traveler Beer Company in Burlington, Vermont, Refreshment Day celebrates the hottest time of the year with cold refreshment (beer). Promotions: drink specials, enough said.

Lasagne are a type of wide, flat pasta, possibly one of the oldest types of pasta. Lasagne, or the singular lasagna, is also an Italian dish made of stacked layers of this flat pasta alternating with fillings such as ragù and other vegetables, cheese, and seasonings and spices such as garlic, oregano and basil. Pairing:

#FriendshipDay | Friendship Day is a day in several countries for celebrating friendship or worldwide in Esperanto: Internacia Tago de Amikeco. It was first proposed in 1958 in Paraguay as the "International Friendship Day". The exchange of Friendship Day gifts like flowers, cards and wrist bands is a popular tradition on this occasion. Feel good:… Read More »International Day of Friendship