Sat. Nov. 8

Do you like to drink beer? At Suffolk Downs? Lord knows we consumed a fair amount of said brew at the Guinness Flaegh Fest a few years ago when the Pogues played. We're sure we had fun; don't ask us for specifics. The Pogues won't be there Saturday Nov. 8, but the Phantom Gourmet will at his "Phantom Gourmet Beer & Food Phest," billed as boasting a flood of mouth-watering Brews & Bites."
But, you say, I can drink beer anywhere? Why trek out Suffolk Downs, pay $4 (advance, $5 at the door) to get in the gate (no, that does not cover your beer costs) and imbibe? Well, if size is your thing, you may be impressed to know that The Phantom Gourmet Beer & Food Phest is billed as the biggest and best beer event in Boston history. The Phantom has hand-picked his favorite beers from countries all over the world including Belgium, Germany, Great Britain and the United States to be accompanied by a phan-tastic - yes, we might as well go with the "ph" thing, it's sort of a theme - array of Boston’s best bar bites such as burgers, ribs, sandwiches, beer-battered pretzels, hot dogs, sausages, phan-omenal desserts and more. It starts at noon, ends at midnight.
Now, are you just standing around drinking, eating and then expounding upon the kind of philosophy a massive intake of beer engenders? You are not. (Or don't have to be.) In addition to a 400 foot long Beer Hall, the Phantom’s adult “Food and Fun House” will be bustling with excitement. Phans will enjoy sumo wrestling matches, Twister, bouncy boxing (huh?), a mechanical bull and “Club Phan” which will feature the infamous purple dance floor and groovy music all day/night long. The Phan Stand will feature live horse racing and as the sun goes down, Phantown will meet Mantown when WAAF’s Greg Hill moves in and hosts the Ms. Beer & Food Phest Pageant. Beers include: Shock Top, Jack’s Pumpkin Spice, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Bass, Beck’s, and no doubt a lot of funny-named ones, such is the fad these days. Beers will run you $5-$6 (not bad at all, considering) and there will be red and white wine available too. Need we say this is a 21-plus event? We shall. It is.

111 Waldemar Ave., East Boston, www.phantomgourment.com