West Ashley’s Cannon Distillery hosts a dessert-themed tasting event on Sept. 23
Back in May, Cannon Distillery in Avondale presented a special brunch pop-up in the back of the boutique distillery. The event was a huge success as folks got a chance to try the relatively new distillery’s different spirit options though various cocktails that were expertly paired with a delicious “Southern Tapas” brunch. It was something that Cannon co-owner Lewis Dodson said at the time that he and his partners, wife Jessica Dodson and Kris Kincaid, wanted to do more often. However, hot summer temps can make the back of the distillery a little too toasty to comfortably sit a large group of folks for a meal that could last a couple hours or more.
But with the first day of Autumn quickly approaching, the Cannon crew is ready to do it again. One day after fall officially arrives Cannon Distillery presents the Sweet Sunday Social from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23 in the distillery, located at 813 Savannah Hwy.
“We were looking to do something fun and we want to do some more pop-ups, so with this one we’re kind of playing off the idea of the old after-church ice cream social,” says Lewis Dodson. “We’re not usually open on Sunday, so it seemed like a good day to do something like this.”
Unlike the “Southern Tapas” brunch pop-up held back in the spring, the Sweet Sunday Social is not a sit down tasting event. Dodson says there will be six different stations that people can walk around to. Each station will either have a pairing that compliments the dessert or it will be something that contrasts with the sweet to help bring out the flavors.
Jessica Dodson and her friend Mel Davidson, who are “accomplished amateur bakers” according to Dodson, will be creating the sweet treats while the cocktails will be created by Rod Weaver, Cannon’s resident mixologist and bar manager. Weaver is the guy behind the original cocktail program at Husk, he’s the former beverage manager at The Granary, and more recently created the cocktail menu at Lewis Barbecue. He also owns Bar Weaver, a private bar consulting company. Jessica Dodson currently makes the ice cream for the couple’s other business, Avondale Wine & Cheese.
According to Lewis Dodson, Cannon Distillery’s line-up of Grit, Chai Noon, and Cannon Coffee vodkas lend themselves to be paired with dessert items. “We found that we were making a lot of dessert cocktails in the tasting room and thought ‘we should really do something that highlights them,’” he says. “We haven’t completely nailed down the pairings yet, but the four of us will all sit down soon and work on exactly what will be offered,” says Lewis Dodson.
In addition to the loyal Cannon drinkers, Lewis Dodson says he really hopes people who haven’t tried their signature craft vodkas will come out for this event and see what West Ashley’s first and only distillery is all about. “We really want to reach out to the Byrnes Down and Avondale neighborhoods as well as other parts of West Ashley that haven’t come to see us yet,” he says.
Also unlike the previous Southern Tapas pop-up, kids are welcome at the Sweet Sunday Social. Of course, the cocktails are for the adults only, but for $5 kids can come along and try all of the desserts and enjoy some alcohol-free concoctions. Adult tickets (21 and up) are $20. Lewis Dodson says they will probably have some walk-in spots available, but strongly encourages folks to register though Cannon Distillery’s Facebook page to ensure a spot.
The Sweet Sunday Social will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 2-4 p.m. at Cannon Distillery, located at 813 Savannah Hwy. For more information, call (843) 996-4110 or visit www.distillerycannon.com.