Mezcal and Tequila Tasting with River Hawkins

*Looking for a rare experience?

*Would you like to taste some exotic spirits and learn about the history and culture surrounding them?

*Need a unique gift for someone?

You’ll get to taste twelve different Mezcal and Tequila brands, accompanied by all the accoutrements that you need while River guides you through all of the fascinating aspects, processes, and cultural relevance of Mezcal and Tequila.

Join us on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022

4:30 pm - Registration

5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM - Mezcal Tasting by River Hawkins and a Gourmet Mexican Dinner prepared by Mi Cava & Cocina

$100 per person, 21 and over

Mi Cava y Cocina

9722 SE Washington Street

Portland, OR 97216

This event is brought to you by World Fusion Events in collaboration with Mi Cava y Cocina and Rio Mezcal Classes.

What a class entails from River Hawkins:

"With all classes I take you through the history and process of agave distillates and introduce you to the traditional compliments enjoyed with mezcal such as rare spices, fruit and traditional drinks. You'll taste twelve different mezcals starting with all the stages of tequila and when your pallet is fully prepared we'll go through seven different mezcals covering a wide variety of regions, processes and agaves. While you sip on these rare liquors you'll learn the cultural relevance of the Agave plant to Mexican culture and mezcal's roots in Pre-Hispanic history. We'll discuss the process of cultivating agave and distilling liquor from it and you'll even get to taste some rare tequilas and mezcals not yet available in the United States. These I have to bring back from my travels in Mexico. A rare experience, even in Mexico."

"The truth is, classes like this are difficult to find even across the border. I have had a rare opportunity to live and work in Mexico at the beautiful Verana resort in the hills of Yelapa, MX, a place so remote there are no roads to get to it. My position as bar director for the Verana required me to give classes on mezcal and tequila for the guests of the resort.

So, as you can imagine, I had to educate myself on the subject quite quickly.

Luckily, Yelapa is in Jalisco, the heart of tequila country, so I had many opportunities to tour agave fields, distilleries and mezcalerias.

In the course of one year I must have tasted thousands of different mezcals and tequilas. It was difficult, but the research had to be done!

In my studies I was blessed to converse with mezcaleros from large distilleries like Herradura, Cuervo and Sauza, as well as small mezcal operations that sell their products from their homes and serve it in repurposed plastic water bottles. These were some of the best mezcals I've tasted.

Through these unique experiences I developed a great love and passion for agave liquors. The more I learned of agave and its relevance to Mexican culture, the better agave distillates tasted to me and I guarantee the same will happen to you. I've been giving these classes for years now and I think I can say without hyperbole that I've never had a dissatisfied customer.

It's the perfect combination of education and intoxication.

A little something about River Hawkins:

My name is River Hawkins and over the course of my twenty year career as a barman, I've been blessed to travel all over the world for work. It's one of the best things about being in the bar industry, every town has a bar and every bar can use a skilled bartender. I've made Mai Tais in Thailand, Pisco Sours in Peru and Margaritas in Mexico. I've run high end cocktail lounges, lively and fun dive bars, international dance clubs and now I own my own Mezcaleria, The Bebedero, in the heart of Charlottesville, VA. I've been fortunate enough to turn my love of mezcal into a successful business where I get to share this fascinating liquor with wonderful people. Each class is a pleasure because I love to talk mezcal and I know that everyone has within them an appreciation for mezcal just waiting to be explored.

My experience regarding mezcal is a serendipitous story of either random chance or a divine calling. In a nutshell, I have been lucky enough to have family in Jalisco, Mexico and the opportunity to work in Yelapa, MX . My job as bar director for a boutique resort in the hills of Yelapa, the Verana, required me to provide classes on tequila and mezcal for guests. No problem, except that at the time I didn't know anything about either liquor.

Oh, I had poured millions of shots of tequila over my years as a bartender, but I had never been terribly curious about tequila or mezcal until I began to study it during my stay in Mexico.

I began reading anything I could find on the subject. I drank tequila and mezcal and discussed it with locals whom almost always had a friend or relative who made their own. I toured agave fields, distilleries of all sizes and was educated by mezcaleros from large production companies like Herradura, Cuervo, Sauza as well as small batch mezcaI producers who only sell their mezcals locally from their homes. I found that I loved mezcal for its complexity of flavor and traditional and truly unique processes. I loved learning about the history of the agave plant and it's connection to the indigenous peoples of Mexico. I became fascinated with this sacred elixir and luckily I was in Jalisco, the heart of tequila country. After all Jalisco is home to the town of Tequila, a beautiful place littered with obsidian from the volcano which stands proud above endless agave fields and countless distilleries.

So you see, my knowledge of mezcal and tequila comes from several rare opportunities and connections made with wonderful people during these amazing times in my life.

And that's what I'm trying to bring to people with my class; a unique experience and a great time. I promise you both.

Rio Mezcal

About Mi Cava & Cocina:

Our History - A passion project 30 years in the making.

We love our Mexican heritage, and we love our new Pacific Northwest home. In the midst of mastering family recipes and traveling the world one meal at a time, a beautiful dream turned into a reality: high-quality Mexican cuisine with fresh Pacific Northwest seafood and flair that is accessible and fun.

Our promise to you is simple: our food is never frozen, our produce is locally sourced, our meat is ethically procured, and you are always welcome at our table.

Taste the difference, freshness and love on a menu. Real Mexican food, real Pacific Northwest inspiration.

Core Values

We believe that caring for our employees, our partners, our community, and our environment are very important and for that, we are strongly in favor of only working with organizations that share the same vision.

Our employees are the foundation of our company and we are committed to providing a positive environment where employees can grow and thrive. We are big believers that encouragement plays a big role in everyone's growth but also be able to recognize individuals’ talent and contributions. Just like nature, we are an evolving company and because of that, we want to lead the way to greatness all thanks to the collective knowledge and experience of our team.

Mission And Vision

Our name says it all, "Mi Cava Cocina Del Pacifico and Fine Spirits".

We offer a unique dining experience to everyone that walks through our doors. Whether it’s for a quick bite, special occasion, or date night, Cava will have you living la Pura Vida. We are dedicated to supporting local ingredients— fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish—that are at their peak of flavor and freshness. Representing our region’s seasons and character with sustainably produced products and practices is at the core of our mission. We’ve learned that attention to season, region, and sustainable practices from the field to the table always produces delicious results.

With a great selection of mezcals, tequilas, and wine to pair with any of our chefs' amazing creations. Our number one goal is for everyone to feel welcome and that they belong.

Mi Cava & Cocina

About World Fusion Events

OUR MISSION

World Fusion Events provides cross-cultural education and entertainment experiences through the cultivation of innovative promotion, presentation and preservation of culturally significant artists here in the United States and in International markets. Opening Doors to Music and Culture!

OUR VISION

World Fusion Events connects people with eclectic World Music concerts, Cultural Events, Workshops and Traveling Art Exhibitions and marketplaces.

World Fusion Events

Questions about the Mezcal Tasting?? Call Laura (503) 432-9827

Host or Publisher World Fusion Events