Special dinners: Dark, beer

Passion8 Bistro hosts a dine-in-the-dark evening Oct. 27. If you've not heard of this, the theory is that if your visual sense is deprived, your others are sharpened, including, of course, taste. Four courses, $65; 3415 Highway 51 North in Fort Mill; 803-802-7455.

Andrew Blair's hosts a five-course wine dinner Oct. 27 to benefit the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research as part of a broader campaign that has been named Corks Against Cancer. $60; 1600 Montford Drive; 704-525-8282.

Brixx uptown hosts a Heavy Seas beer dinner Oct. 28, the first of several upcoming cask beer events. Among the offerings: chipotle queso, sweet corn bisque and crab cakes and jambalaya, with Heavy Seas Marzen, Small Craft Warning Uber Pils, Loose Cannon American Hop3 and more. 225 E. 6th St.; $25; 704-347-2749.

The Liberty hosts its second Beer vs Wine Dinner Nov. 6. Chef Tom Condron creates a menu, and two experts, one in beer and the other wine, come in to pair the menu with their beverages of choice. Diners keep score and a winner is declared; last time, wine won by two votes. $40; 1812 South Blvd.; 704-332-8830.

Mimosa Grill offers a Childress Winery 60/60 Dinner Nov. 6 for $60; reservations ("very limited"): 704-343-0700. The 60/60 denotes that nearly all the food and wine will be from within 60 miles of Charlotte (or caught off the N.C. coast) and the cost; there'll also be six courses, and it starts at 6 p.m.

Gallery offers at Beaujolais Nouveau party Nov. 18 as its inaugural Wine Society gathering, celebrating the release of the year's Beaujolais Nouveau (historically barred from sale until the third Thursday in November). French music and hors d'oeuvres; $25; 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway; 704-248-4100. A special menu for $30 and appetizers will be offered Nov. 18-24, as well.