1st Marianas Beer & BBQ fest kicks off tomorrow

Marianas Beer & BBQ mascot “Sir Besa,” event emcee Ben Jones, on podium, MVA managing director Chris Concepcion, Fourplay’s Frankie Hong and Kenny Shih, and MVA manager for community projects Martin Duenas. (Bea Cabrera)

The Marianas Visitors Authority will host the Inaugural Marianas Beer & BBQ Festival tomorrow, Nov. 4, from 5pm to 11pm, at the Garapan Fishing Base grounds.

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion said they are very excited to host the event.

“It’s our newest signature event for the Marianas and, as an added treat for the residents and visitors, we have flown Kenny Shih and Frankie Fong from Fourplay Cuisine and Bar in Taiwan, who will be debuting their cocktail themed drinks after each of the main islands in the Marianas—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.”

“I’ve heard a lot about Fourplay before I went to Taiwan and so when I finally visited Taipei a few months ago, I had the chance to visit this famous restaurant bar and we are very pleased that they were able to come to the Marianas,” he added.

Shih, who is a first-timer to Saipan, is excited about being a part of the festival.

“Our bar has been in business for seven years and what’s interesting about it is we don’t have a drink menu. So how do we serve drinks to the customer? We make a cocktail drink based on the customer’s mood. Whether happy or sad, we have a drink for them.”

“So this is the concept that we are bringing to the festival. We have concocted cocktail drinks that will carry the taste of the Marianas and this is the first time we are doing it. It is exclusive for the festival,” he added.

Fong is the man behind the four cocktail drinks that will one of the highlights at the festival. “I will make and serve drinks that will show the beauty and excitement that I feel about the Marianas.”

Fong said the drink Saipan Ocean Blue was inspired by the crystal blue waters that surrounds the islands and all its water sports activities. It is a mixture of rum, pineapple, and peach.

The Tinian Spicy Red highlights the famous Tinian pepper of Tinian. Fong said it is for people who like spicy drinks.

The Rota Nature Green celebrates the lush greens of Rota. It has lemon grass and peppermint.

Marianas Special is a fusion of oolong tea that is famous in Taiwan and local ingredients found only in the Marianas.

The festival’s entrance fee is $25 and comes with one commemorative beer glass, one commemorative silicone wristband, two beer or wine samples, three beer or wine full serving, and one chaser sample. It will cost only $5 to refill the commemorative glass using a yellow ticket. Food coupon is only $6 using an orange ticket and $1 for water and soda coupon using a red ticket.

“We want to bring these types of international events to the Marianas with our first beer and wine festival by also highlighting local brews produced by Saipan Brewing Co. and other craft beers available from other local distributors,” Concepcion said.

The emcee for the event is Ben Jones and it will be open to adults age 21 (legal drinking age) and older.