Superstition holds the number seven to be bring good fortune and luck — and with its seventh Aleiversary celebration planned for Aug. 26, Wages Brewing Company in West Plains appears to have had plenty of it.
Having survived through a pandemic that shuttered the doors of many much-more-long-established food and beverage venues, luck does seem to be on the side of the local microbrewery.
Wages Brewing Company, 1386 Bill Virdon Blvd. in West Plains, opened Aug. 26, 2016 on a shoestring budget, driven by passion and creative energy. Its original staff of three has since grown to about 10, and offerings have expanded from strictly craft beers and sodas to include an array of liquors and cocktails, kombucha — a nonalcoholic fermented tea — and food.
Lunch is offered daily Mondays through Saturdays, featuring a rotating menu of soups, salads and sandwiches, and pop-up dinner services happen with regularity — today, for example, Cat Hall with Rollin’ Bayou will serve up shrimp and catfish po’ boys, with hushpuppies or fries on the side, from about 3 to 8 p.m., or until food runs out. Recently, Eric Valentin of Señor Valentin’s food truck prepared a pop-up dinner featuring birria tacos — a twist on the traditional taco with tender, spicy stewed beef in a savory sauce.
Valentin will be one of three food vendors at the big seventh-anniversary celebration affectionately dubbed by owner Phil Wages as the “7th Aleiversary.” He will be serving alongside Mandy’s Hot Dogs, offering traditional and gourmet hot dogs, and Sweet Smoke BBQ, a popular local food truck that was runner-up for Best Barbecue in the 2022 Quill Best of the Best Reader’s Choice Awards.
The fun starts at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 and will last until 10 p.m., all in the East Towne Village pavilion next to Wages Brewing Company, 1382 Bill Virdon Blvd. Admission is free and all ages are welcome, though youth younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Live music performances will be given by Phil Wages, Batterton & Edwards, Birds on the Street and Creek Stink. While there is no admission fee, attendees are asked to donate what they’re able to ensure that performers can be paid.
Other activities planned include Thunderbird Ax Throwing, cornhole and special tap releases.
All are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Dogs are welcome, as long as they are leashed. No outside beverages will be permitted, alcoholic or otherwise — nonalcoholic beverages will be available.
For updates and details about the big celebration, check out the “7th Aleiversary Festival at Wages Brewing Sat Aug. 26th” event page on Facebook.
