The DSM Book Festival features sessions about whiskey, wine, beer and cocktails, with some tie-ins to literary works. Photo: The Foundry
Writer: Wini Moranville
With workshops on calligraphy, embroidery, flower-arranging, terrarium-making and more, this year’s DSM Book Festival goes beyond focusing on insights found in novels and poetry to include other great things you can learn from books. There’s even a spate of events that brings books and booze together for spirited learning.
Held both in-person and online, sessions in the Literature and Libations series offer the opportunity to learn more about whiskey, wine, beer or craft cocktails. Two of the sessions, Pride & Prosecco and Tale of Two Breweries, have evident tie-ins to literary works. Two others, including Introduction to Whiskey and a summer cocktail seminar, aren’t necessarily tied to novels, but tap into the ethos of the book festival nonetheless.
“The goal is offering an opportunity for continued learning on something that feels very social,” says Colleen Murphy, downtown events director of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, adding that the whiskey and cocktail sessions will not only provide a “101” on the topics, but offer book recommendations for continued learning, too.
“Books are the perfect vehicle to increase your knowledge on any subject,” she says.
Area experts—including staff from Hello, Marjorie (a downtown cocktail bar) and Foundry Distilling Company—will lead the sessions. And just so you know: Online participants need not forgo the drink tastings. Sampling kits will be available to purchase in advance from local partners.
With events held on Saturdays from March 27 through April 17, the DSM Book Festival is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Find more information here.
