Fire & Ice wins 4th annual Fall AleFest & Chicken Wing Cook-Off

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A large crowd enjoyed the outdoors at Heavenly Village on Saturday for the 4th annual Fall AleFest & Chicken Wing Cook-Off, marking the start of the fall season in South Lake Tahoe.

It was a holiday atmosphere as fifteen top-tier breweries showcased their finest brews, while top celebrated village eateries, including Fire & Ice, Gunbarrel Tavern, The Loft, Kalanis, California Burger, Azul Latin Kitchen, along with the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office brought the heat to the village’s biggest culinary battle of the year.

Throughout the day, guests sampled a wide array of flavorful wings and brews as the Greg Austin Band played live music and kept the atmosphere electric. Kathy and Michael, returning attendees from Paso Robles, summed up the spirit of the event, saying, "This has become a must-attend event for us every year. The wings, the beer, the music, the VILLAGE — there’s nothing quite like it."

The highlight of the day was, of course, the wing competition. A prestigious panel of judges, including El Dorado District Attorney Vern Pearson, Heavenly Mountain Resort Communications Manager Cole Zimmerman, and El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, took on the task of a blind taste test to determine the best wings in the village.

The judges awarded the coveted title of "Best Wing in the Village" to Fire & Ice, whose standout flavor wowed the panel. In the Law Enforcement BBQ competition, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office took home the top prize again for their delicious wing entry. Adriana Read, representing Fire & Ice, expressed his appreciation, saying, "This festival is truly unmatched. The sense of community and celebration here is something special, and we’re proud to be part of it."

"The Fall AleFest has become a cornerstone of the village’s event lineup, and this year we’re taking it to new heights," said organizer Dreu Murin. "Heavenly Village is the perfect setting for showcasing the area’s best wings, great beer, and top entertainment. A sincere thank you to all the participating village restaurants and all the breweries that supported us again—this event wouldn't be possible without their commitment and dedication. This event wouldn’t be what it is without our dedicated local restaurants, breweries, and of course, the amazing people who come out to support and make the Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe’s #1 destination year after year."

Murin and Gary Casteel, CEO of TSI Investments / The Shops at Heavenly Village, brought back the Law Enforcement BBQ competition again, inspired by Sheriff Jeff Leikauf of El Dorado County. "It’s a way for us to give back and honor our law enforcement officers who serve our community every day. We’re thrilled to have them as part of this event," Murin added.

"Heavenly Village has always been about more than just the area's top shopping, dining and entertainment destination," said Gary Casteel, CEO of TSI Investments (The Shops at Heavenly Village). "Events like this bring our local and tourist communities together and provide our much-appreciated visitor experience that they will talk about for years. We’re proud to host something that celebrates both our local businesses and the people who make The Heavenly Village such a special place."

Next up for the Village is their popular Halloween Trick or Treat event, set for October 31.