Friday Dish: National Donut Day, Big Sky beer sampling, Four Brothers BBQ

It’s National Donut Day. And lest you think this is another of those corporate-created food-holidays-come-lately, you should know that Donut Day was created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to raise funds for donuts for U.S. soldiers.

Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts – one per person –  all day. Participating locations include both East Valley ones – Superstition Springs and U.S. 60 in Mesa and Dobson and Main in Mesa.

All 21 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the East Valley also are handing out free doughnuts, but you have to purchase a beverage. Today also marks the national debut of Dunkin’ Donuts’ breakfast doughnut sandwich. It features bacon and eggs sandwiched between a split glazed doughnut.

Big Sky sampling party at Handlebar Tempe

This month’s “Flights of Fancy” beer sampling at the Handlebar in Tempe will spotlight Big Sky Brewing from Missoula, Mont., from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. For $10 in advance or $12 at the door, you get a flight of Big Sky’s IPA, Scape Goat pale ale, Troutslayer wheat ale, Moose Drool brown, and seasonal Summer Honey ale. Also included is your choice of a brat or fries. Big Sky rep Don Cutler will have some limited-release 750ml bottles to taste, as well as swag. Get your tickets here.

Three Corners beer class at Whole Foods Chandler

This week’s Friday Beer Class at Whole Foods Chandler will feature four breweries from three different regions of Arizona: Mother Road in Flagstaff, Mudshark and College Street in Lake Havasu City, and Dragoon in Tucson. The informal tasting, which starts at 7 p.m., is $5. Whole Foods also will host two tastings on Saturday: Crispin‘s “Princess Bride” ciders As You Wish and Prepare to Die at 4 p.m., followed by the East Valley release party for Odell‘s Ground Control Chocolate Coffee Stout at 6 p.m.

Four Brothers BBQ debuts at Gilbert food truck court

Higley-based Four Brothers Smokehouse & Grill makes its debut at the Gilbert Food Truck Court from 5-9 tonight. Other participants this week will be SuperFarm SuperTruck, Liberty’s Biscuits, Grilled Cheese Truck Phoenix, Sandra Dee’s Catering, and Paletas Betty. The food court is set up on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Vaughn (just north of Oregano’s) near downtown’s historical district.

Gilbert Farmers Market adds Stone Grindz chocolates

Stone Grindz, a Scottsdale-based maker of  stone-ground raw chocolate bars, raw superfood bars, and raw nut butters will make its debut at the Gilbert Farmers Market on Saturday. The market, which is held next to the downtown water tower, runs 7-11 a.m.