Don't worry, be hoppy

Laura Alberts hosts a beer dinner today at 7 p.m.

Executive chef Matt Brigham will make pairings with beers from North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, N.C. The featured beers include PranQster, a Belgian-style golden ale; LeMerle Saison, a Belgian-style farmhouse ale; Brother Thelonious, a Belgian-style Abbey ale; and Old Rasputin, a Russian imperial stout. A bottomless beer reception begins at 7 p.m. with dinner seating at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $45 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. Call 881-4711. Laura Alberts is at 891 Island Park Drive, Daniel Island.

Pork-rinds process

Executive chef Kevin Johnson of Closed For Business is truly making silk purses out of sows' ears. His labor-intensive, three-phase process to create pork rinds begins with the delivery of the pig from Keegan-Filion Farm. He brings the pork skin through the traditional process of dehydrating and then frying -- all by hand, in house. He finishes with a light dusting of either "salt & vinegar" or "spiced barbeque" flavor, applying traditional South Carolina flavors to pork rinds. Think "pork chips." Closed For Business is at 453 King St. 853-8466.

Lunch for a cause

On Friday at noon, the King Street Marketing Group will host a lunch event at Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar. Each guest will receive a King Street goody bag, raffle ticket (three with online booking), free parking and an opportunity to take home prizes from Charleston peninsula businesses. Ticketed admission is $18. Proceeds benefit Sea Island Habitat for Humanity's deconstruction program.

Go to www.letsdolunchincharleston.com. Seating is limited.

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar is at 205 East Bay St.

Made in the South

Garden & Gun Magazine has announced the Made in the South Awards, a celebration of the rich cultural tradition of craft, design and ingenuity in small, Southern-based businesses.

Through Aug. 1, entries will be accepted in five categories: Food, Home, Style, Sporting and Etc. (a place for businesses that don't fit squarely into the other categories). The award is designed to recognize some of the products made in the South. All interested entrepreneurs should visit the site www.gardenandgun.com/madeinthesouth for entry forms and further details.

Beer dinner

Wasabi on Daniel Island hosts a beer dinner on July 1 at 194 Seven Farms Drive. Six courses, six beers, one price: $48.

Forty spots are available. To reserve call 388-8828

or visit www.wasabi-di.com.

Guy Harvey's grill

Guy Harvey's Island Grill has opened in the former Earth Fare space at Mount Pleasant Towne Center at 1102 Market Centre Blvd. The seafood-focused restaurant chain also houses a retail shop, art gallery, clothing and gifts. Guy Harvey will officiate at 4:30 p.m. at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony and be available for a signing noon-3 p.m. July 17 at the restaurant.