What’s Happening This Weekend: Free Beer, Mutzfest, Cochon 555, and ChiliFest

Next weekend is all about getting comfy on the couch if you’re a sports fan (or a Super Bowl commercials fan/nachos fan/party fan), which means you have all the more reason to get out and explore this weekend. Here’s a look at what’s happening around the city.

Free Bronx Brewery Tasting, Nolita Mart & Espresso Bar, 155 Mott Street, Saturday, 4 p.m.

If you haven’t checked out the Bronx Brewery yet, it’s worth signing up for a tour. If a trek up to the Bronx isn’t in the cards in the near future, though, you may want to stop by this free tasting first, where you’ll be able to supplement your beer with cheese and pickles. The brewery will offer up a few of its trademark concoctions, and those of us with growlers can take advantage of the mart’s craft beer selection.

Mutzfest, Hoboken Elk’s Club, 1005 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ, Sunday, 2 p.m.

The battle for local deli supremacy comes to an end as one sandwich scion will take home Hoboken bragging rights for best “mutz”. Homemade mozzarella and, perhaps, meatballs will fly as the crowd is serenaded by Frank Sinatra wannabes via karaoke. There’s also a cannoli eating contest as well as actual musicians performing — though watching someone you know butcher old blue eyes might be worth the price of admission. Tickets are $20 and a full list of delis where you can purchase them can be found on the mutzfest website.

Cochon 555, The Ritz Carlton New York, Battery Park, 2 West Street, Sunday, 4 p.m.

Raising awareness about heritage bred pigs — and why we should all be eating them — is the focus of this friendly competition pitting chefs against one another. Participants — including Market Table’s David Standridge and Tertulia’s Seamus Mullen — will craft six courses from a 200 pound pig in an attempt to win over the crowd and judges. In addition to food, there will be wine and beer stations throughout the event and a butchering demo in case you want to try this at home. Tickets start at $130.95 for general admission and can be purchased through the festival’s website.

NYChiliFest 2014, Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, Sunday, 7 p.m.

If you haven’t tried chili as a remedy for winter weather woes, give it a shot this weekend. A line-up of Chelsea Market vendors along with entrants from Mile End and La Esquina will dole out bowls of piping hot chili to determine which chef is cooking up the best batch. Representatives from Sam Adams will be on hand for those looking to cool down with a brew, and celebrity judges in attendance include Chopped judge Amanda Freitag and Umami Burger founder Adam Fleishman. Tickets start at $50 for the all-you-can-eat affair.