Dayton native returns home to launch ‘This is a Cocktail Book’ When Branden Fugate was working as the beverage director at Sueño and Tender Mercy in downtown Dayton, he led a series of cocktail classes that became quite popular. “I had a list of recommended reading at the end and just very few things on that list I thought appealed to the people taking my classes,” Fugate said. “You didn’t have anything in the middle for someone who was either just getting started as a professional or who never wanted to be a professional — just wanted to be a home bartender.” To fill the gap, he wrote a small booklet containing a little bit of history, cocktail theory and a list of master recipes to give to those that attended his classes. “People were really stoked about it and they were asking if they could get other copies,” Fugate said. “That’s when the wheels started turning for a book.” In 2023, Fugate left Dayton and moved to California to get reinspired. He’s returning home this weekend to launch his first publication, “This is a Cocktail Book.” The book will be launched on Kickstarter at noon on Sunday, followed by a launch party from 8 p.m. to midnight at Joui Wine, located at 117 E. Third St. in Dayton. Those that RSVP to the party for $1, can get 50 percent off the book.
‘Gem Cakes’ by Bae’s Bakery available at The Pizza Bandit 27-year-old Alisha Bergsten has always had a love for baking. Her grandmother, Beatrice, taught her how to bake cakes at an early age and during her teens she baked for family and friends. When The Pizza Bandit started offering brunch on Saturdays and Sundays in September 2024, Bergsten began making biscuits and cinnamon rolls for them. Since then, she has started offering chocolate chip cookies and a unique item called, “Gem Cakes.” Gem Cakes feature a hard Ghirardelli chocolate shell that resembles a gem and are filled with layers of cake and buttercream icing. Current flavors include chocolate salted caramel and chocolate covered strawberry. Both cakes feature a chocolate ganache buttercream. The chocolate cake used in the chocolate salted caramel gem is soaked in a hot, salted caramel sauce before it’s layered. The other chocolate cake is soaked in a house made strawberry puree with fresh slices of strawberries added to the layers.
💧 Loose Ends Brewing in Centerville releases Hop Water: The nonalcoholic, zero calorie beverage is made simply with water and hops. It’s carbonated for a refreshing taste. READ MORE ⛽ Court rules in favor of Sheetz: A Montgomery County Common Pleas Court reversed Centerville City Council’s decision to deny Sheetz the ability to construct a 6,139-square-foot gas station and convenience store at the current site of an Elsa’s Restaurant on Far Hills Avenue. 🍝 Troni Brothers opens new restaurant in Troy: Troni Brothers Bella Bistro is located at 2311 W. Main St. in the former location of Rapid Fired Pizza.
Dayton Ale Trail kicks off 2025 with 28 brewery stops “This year, Entropy in Miamisburg was added as a new brewery,” said Jason Moore, an organizer of the Dayton Ale Trail and co-owner of Crooked Handle Brewing Co. “Beyond that, it’s business as usual promoting our amazing Greater Miami Valley Breweries.” Participants have the full calendar year to visit all participating breweries, make a purchase and receive a stamp on their passport. Those who complete the challenge can return their passport to the Yellow Cab Tavern, located at 700 E 4th St. in Dayton, to redeem their prize. The 2025 prize is a State of Ohio Tin Tacker branded with the Dayton Ale Trail logo.
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