Get Wild

Why this boozy sparkling water will be your new fave (well past summer)

You're not imagining it: hard seltzer is the drink of the summer (and probably well into next summer). But which sparkly sip should you be reaching for during happy hour, nights out, or any time you want a low-calorie lift?

Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water from Oskar Blues Brewery, and there are plenty of reasons why.

An impressive pedigree
The new boozy sparkling water comes from the grand daddy of craft beer. Founded by Dale Katechis in 1997 in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Brewery launched the craft-beer-in-a-can apocalypse with its hand-canned flagship brew, Dale's Pale Ale. Today, Oskar Blues operates breweries in Colorado, North Carolina, and Texas.

It's almost...good for you?
Gluten-free. Only 100 calories. Zero grams sugar. One gram of carbs. Five percent alcohol. Wild Basin is crystal clear, just like the clean, pristine waters it's made from. Lively carbonation punctuates contemporary flavor profiles like jammy, sun-kissed black raspberry, tropical lemon agave hibiscus, refreshing cucumber peach, smooth melon basil, and classic lime. Look for a new mix pack of flavors later this year, focusing on unique, juicy berry-forward flavor combinations.

No syrup here
Unlike some other hard seltzers that can taste of chemicals or come off as syrupy sweet, Wild Basin has only a hint of sweetness and a clean, fresh finish without any lingering aftertaste.

Good for the planet
At the heart of Wild Basin's identity is a reverence for the outdoors that connects back to its Rocky Mountain origin, so a percentage of sales goes toward river and ocean clean-up efforts led by Can'd Aid, with over $100,000 donated so far.

In a sea of black and white cans, look for the fun, bold, bright colors of Wild Basin. The cans depict a mountain scene similar to what can be viewed from Wild Basin, 8,500 feet above sea level in Rocky Mountain National Park. The mountains are reflected in the water at their feet — the same water that flows through Wild Basin via Colorado's majestic St. Vrain River, and ends up in every can of Wild Basin.

Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water has zero sugar and only 100 calories.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water has zero sugar and only 100 calories.

This week in gluttony

These are the 6 must-indulge events at the 2023 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

Photo by Nancy Farrar

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The most delicious four days in Fort Worth begin Thursday, March 30 with the start of the annual Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival. It's such a big deal that we are devoting this week's Best Food and Drink Events feature to the multi-day culinary extravaganza.

With six sip-and-stroll tasting events showcasing more than 100 local chefs, restaurants, bartenders, and food artisans, the festival mostly takes place along 13 acres at the Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork under pop-up tents and huge shades trees. (There’s just one rogue event elsewhere at Whiskey Ranch.) Live music, chic seating areas, tasting bars, and plenty of photo ops combine to create one of the most talked-about weekends of the year.

It's also good way to preview food and beverages nominated for CultureMap Tastemaker Awards; these events will no doubt leave you wanting another helping at the awards ceremony and signature tasting event on April 27.

Produced by the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, the festival is more than a good time – proceeds raise funds for local grant programs and scholarships for culinary students in Fort Worth. To date, the non-profit has raised more than $325,000 for the cause.

After a pandemic-related two-year hiatus, the festival returned in its full format last year and welcomed more than 7,000 hungry foodies. Organizers have expanded the experience this year to welcome even more attendees, but folks aren’t sleeping on their chance to indulge. Two of the six signature events are already sold out, and Weekender passes (which allow access to the entire festival) and early entry tickets to all events are also long gone.

So, act fast to get in on the feeding frenzy. Limited general admission tickets remain for just four of the following six events. Here are details on all of them:

Tacos + Tequila
Thursday, March 30, 8-10 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 7 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Attendees who’ve already snagged their ticket can plan for a pairing that never disappoints. There’ll be 18 chefs and 12 tequila vendors sharing their tastiest creations at this festival kick-off event. Try tacos from Calisience, Guapo Taco, Mesero, and Toro Toro, along with dishes from unexpected participants like Dusty Biscuit Beignets and FunkyTown Donuts & Drafts. Find the full list here. This event has sold out.

The Main Event
Friday, March 31, 6:30-9 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 5:30 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
This grand affair is the festival’s showcase event. Ticketholders should arrive hungry and thirsty for more than 100 wines, craft beers, and spirits to pair with dishes from 27 chefs, restaurateurs, and food artisans. Participants include some of Fort Worth’s most iconic restaurants, like Bonnell’s, Fitzgerald, Michaels Cuisine, Reata, Shinjuku Station, Ellerbe Fine Foods, and newcomers like The Beast & Co. Find the full list here. This event has sold out.

Night Market
Friday, March 31, 9-11 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 8 pm)
Whiskey Ranch
Formerly called Nite Bites, this reimagined event will let guests experience global flavors, with influence from Mumbai to Mexico City, under the Texas stars in a street food market setting. It will feature bites and beverages from 27 chefs and mixologists. Cocktails will be crafted with TX Whiskey, and craft beer and wine will also be available. Participants include Malai Kitchen, Coco Shrimp, Clay Pigeon Food & Drink, Tributary Café, and Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. Find the full list here. Tickets are $65, and early entry is sold out.

Rise + Dine
Saturday, April 1, 11 am–2 pm
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Wake up and smell the best of Fort Worth’s brunch scene. Indulge in classic morning favorites to seafood dishes paired with cocktails, coffee, craft beer, and of course, lots of bubbly. Twenty restaurants and food artisans will participate, including Pearl Snap Kolaches, Brewed, Café Modern, 3rd Street Market, Avoca Coffee Roasters, and Three Danes Baking Company. Find the full list here. Tickets are $85.

Burgers, Brews + Blues
Saturday, April 1, 6-9 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 5 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Thirteen chefs will grill their best burgers in slider form for celebrity judges and guests to select their favorite. Participating burger joints include JD’s Hamburgers, Fred’s Texas Café, Rodeo Goat, and Tommy’s Burgers. Find the full list here. This event is also for beer lovers – local craft brewers from near and far will pour samples of their best selections to also be judged by guests. Take it all in while enjoying live blues under the shade trees. Tickets are $85, and early entry is sold out.

Ring of Fire: A Next-Level Cookout
Sunday, April 2, 2-5 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 1 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Here’s what happens when you gather the best pitmasters in Fort Worth and let them loose with live fire: the ultimate backyard barbecue. Guests can plan for both traditional and unexpected smoked dishes from participants like Smoke-A-Holics BBQ, Panther City BBQ, Brix Barbecue, Heim Barbecue, Olmos BBQ, Cousins BBQ, 225 BBQ, BBQ on the Brazos, Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, Hurtado BBQ, The Original Black’s Barbecue, and more. Also look for The Babes of Que, an onsite activation during the event featuring women in the world of barbecue. Babes of Que podcast host Betina Miller will be joined by Cecilia Guerrero and Kimberly Ovalle of Goldee’s Barbecue, among other leading lady pitmasters. Tickets are $85, and early entry is sold out.

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