Since its founding in 2018, Lake Charles’s annual Smoke & Barrel pageant has change into one of many hottest meals and spirits tasting occasions within the Bayou State.
Like years previous, the 2023 occasion—happening on Dec. 2—is predicted to be a sold-out affair. Held beneath the attractive dwell oaks of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, the venue will deliver collectively award-winning pitmasters from throughout Southwestern Louisiana and Texas, together with a roster of regional musicians, and almost 100 totally different bourbons, scotches, and whiskeys to pattern firsthand. “In the event you needed to go to every of those barbecue locations it could take you just a few weeks,” says Smoke & Barrel’s advertising and marketing and marketing campaign director Saige Mestayer. “Right here, we deliver all of them to you in a single area.”
All through downtown, guests will discover a designated Free Zone with an Novice Barbecue Cookoff and a bustling Maker’s Market that includes native artisan crafts. Freebies apart, nevertheless, Smoke & Barrel’s extremely coveted VIP expertise is the most well liked ticket on the town—and value each penny.
For simply $125, company who buy a VIP wristband may have entry to a non-public area with limitless grub by the likes of Slaughter’s BBQ in Tyler, and Rossler’s BLUE CORD Barbecue from Harker Heights, together with almost 100 totally different spirits manufacturers from internationally. Beer and wine are additionally out there, along with different meals and beverage distributors, like Lake Charles’s personal Espresso:30, identified for his or her scrumptious fresh-brewed espresso and heat beignets.
It doesn’t matter what you order, Smoke & Barrel affords an genuine style of Louisiana hospitality. “There’s a sure vein of the tradition right here that enjoys having an excellent time,” Mestayer explains. “We have now had such a fantastic response from folks in Texas too.”
Buy a VIP ticket and you can also be among the many company who will wander beneath the twinkle-lit bushes whereas respiration the winter air fragranced with smoked oak and hickory. As you pattern the award-winning meats paired with superb bourbon, scotch, and whiskey, be a part of the throngs of individuals dancing to the likes of Justin Martindale & the Backstabbers or The Soul Rebels, simply two of the dwell entertainers on faucet. “It’s a celebration of the senses,” Mestayer says.
One more reason to have a good time? Proceeds from this yr’s ticket gross sales will likely be distributed from Smoke & Barrel Inc—a 501(c)3 nonprofit group based mostly in Lake Charles—to United Manner Southwest Louisiana. “United Manner has been our charity benefactor for the reason that inception of Smoke & Barrel in 2018, and we couldn’t be extra happy about our partnership with them,” says Nathaniel Allured, Smoke & Barrel’s government director and co-founder. “The assist they supply has a deep attain. They’re all the time trying on the wants of the group and fascinated with revolutionary methods to assist.”
This text was produced by Austin Month-to-month’s content material studio as a part of a paid partnership with Go to Lake Charles.
