Mississippi Brewers Guild New Partner in Miss-i-sippin

Miss-i-sippin’, the annual beer and food pairing fundraiser for the University of Mississippi Hospitality Management Program and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council has added a new partner for the 2015 event: The Mississippi Brewers Guild. The Mississippi Brewers Guild has join the team of sponsors which support the event and will not only provide tasting for beer but have Guild members on hand to talk about the products, the role of the Guild, and the economic impact of breweries on the Mississippi economy.

“This growth of Mississippi brewed beers fits with our concept for the event to celebrate Mississippi food and beverages.” Shared Wayne Andrews a founder of the event. “We have always had strong support from Mississippi based food companies who provide product such as Polk’s, Delta Pride Catfish, Gulf Select Shrimp and Sanderson Farms who along with Clark Beverage helped launch the event seven years ago.” The event provides students in the University of Mississippi Hospitality Management Program with a hands on experience of working with a client, the Arts Council, to create an event from planning the menu to presenting the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser support both the Hospitality Management Program and the Arts Council.

The new partnership is also creating some changes for the event. The event has sold out the last three years outgrowing the indoor capacity of the Powerhouse Community Arts Center. The organizers hoped to encourage more attendance from both from regional food & beer fans and brewers by moving the event to a Saturday.   The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2015 from noon to 6pm as the planners hope that it will allow people to get outside and enjoy a day of food, beer and sunshine. “Our hope is to expand in 2016 to include a Friday Night Dinner” shared Wayne Andrews director of the Arts Council.

Miss-i-sippin features a menu created by the chef and students that complement the beers with a range of products being sampled at the event. Through the support of donors such as Polk’s, Delta Pride and Sanderson Farms the students have created a tasting menu that captures the spirit of the event with catfish tacos, Caribbean sausage sandwiches and bbq chicken sliders are just a few of the items on the menu this year.

The popularity of the event which organizers attribute to using Mississippi products has also drawn support from local businesses. Bliss Handcrafted Ice Cream is sponsoring the beer float. Terri Massey, the owner has been meeting and tasting the beer brewed by Yalobusha Brewery in Water Valley and is making an ice cream using fresh local ingredients that will be paired with one of their beers. LB’s, Firehouse Subs and Taco Bell are donating to support the culinary creations of students.

The event is a fundraiser for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and the University of Mississippi Hospitality Management Program. Students from the Program receive hands on experience in developing, marketing, and executing a culinary event putting their classwork into action. The event has grown since its launch drawing over 500 attendees last year. “We are looking at how to offer an experience that brings people back each year and provides a fresh experience.” shared Andrews.

Miss-i-sippin will be hosted by the Powerhouse Community Arts Center which will transform the sculpture garden in front of the building into “beer garden” featuring the Mississippi Brewers Guild with live music and culinary creations from the students in the Hospitality Management Program. Tickets are available online or by calling (662) 236-6429.