Rapscallion HOPS Foundation Takes First Place in the Spencer Christmas Parade of Lights

Rapscallion and its Mug Club members have always taken great joy in taking part in philanthropic efforts. Now formally known as The Rapscallion HOPS Foundation (HOPS), these charitable endeavors continue to flourish as our official nonprofit. This past December, The HOPS Foundation board, Mug Club members and other devoted volunteers won first place in Spencer’s Christmas Parade of Lights!

The team started the process back in October to plan their winning Polar Express float. They reviewed the film to get an accurate depiction of the movie, capturing all of its intricate details. HOPS Board members Michelle Lariviere, Sierra Tucker, and Chris Lindquist worked together to make this a success.

Their “building team”, led by Chris Lindquist with the help of Steve Moorhouse, Russ Snow, Ron Scheyd, and Mike Poulin, performed the build out of the train. While Jim Lambert, expert metal engineer, built the train engine. From there this core group continued to work on the bulk of the float right up until the week of the big day. Tate Ostiguy and his students at BayPath Vocational Technical High School constructed the train wheels used on the train cart.

The group of volunteers met every Monday to pick away at all the intricate details that were seen as the Polar Express went rolled down Main Street. Ronda LaRiviere and Sierra Tucker jumped in to help with the painting.

Nothing was forgotten – Kris Scheyd built a hot chocolate cart that she filled with candy to hand out to the kids. Our walkers handed out bells in town just as the kids received in the North Pole in the movie. There was a giant golden “BELIEVE” ticket strung between the train cart and engine, a hobo and “fire” on the roof, a train horn, an overflowing Santa sack, a cotter pin, a train bell, and perfect costuming. Kids filling the cart including the little boy in the blue robe, the two train engineers, elves, hot chocolate waiters and waitresses, and of course, the conductor.

As has been done for the last three years now, the team meets at the Spencer brewery the night before parade day to add all the finishing touches. Everything is looked over to make sure no detail and no string of lights was missed. The after party at the brewery always makes for the perfect celebration right at the end of the parade route.

The main purpose of all this fun was the fundraising that was done in support of the float. The HOPS Foundation sold “Believe” raffle tickets for $10 each that went towards funding the float. Mug member Yvette Oliviero also made HOPS Foundation ornaments being sold at $10 each as well. Most of the float props and build out was done through donations so that monies raised went can go the Foundation to be dispersed back into the community. A large sum of this total came from Mile Marker 63 Disc Golf Course’s generous donation as they purchased the float after the parade to now display at the course. Additionally, $300 was given to HOPS by the Spencer Police Association for the first-place win.

This crew worked extremely hard, and it paid off! Their time and dedication show, and we are so proud that this is our Rapscallion community. Ideas for next year are already in the works. Kudos to Raps Mug Club members and the entire HOPS Foundation and its volunteers for your tireless efforts in helping those less fortunate!

The ideation, buildout, and entrance of the float into the parade was a tremendously fun endeavor for all involved, while the best part is the that HOPS raised over $2,500 for charitable local endeavors!

A special thank you to these amazing volunteers:
Michelle Lariviere, Sierra Tucker, Chris Lindquist, Steve Moorhouse, Russ Snow, Mike Poulin, Jim Lambert, Ron Scheyd, Kris Scheyd, Tate Ostiguy, Tom Lowkes, Karlene Lowkes, Tim McNeaney, Jenn McNeaney, Bill Delude, Christine Delude, Michelle Buzzell, Denis Tucker, Ronda Lariviere, Lisa Silverio, Jeff Huston, Yvette Oliviero, Norman Letendre, Terry Letendre, John Holbrook, Ray St. Peter, Jesse St. Peter, Jason MacGillivray, Jeff White, and the kiddos that came along for the ride!

Rapscallion West Moves!

Check out the video of our transition as we prepare to move from the barn in Sturbridge to 3 Arnold Road, Sturbridge and 8 Meadow Road, Spencer. Exciting times!

Rapscallion Brewery Moving

Rapscallion Brewery plans move to Spencer, Taproom in Sturbridge

 

Edited 11/9:

A quick update on our move to Spencer and some exciting news to share.

We were able to find a spot to maintain a taproom in town – 3 Arnold Road, Sturbridge.

As we start to prepare for brewing at our new permanent home in Spencer, we will also be able to keep the beer flowing down the street. We are in the midst of some renovation at 3 Arnold Road but are hopeful we can be open to the public in early 2021.

We will keep you updated on our progress. At the moment our resources are directed solely on brewing only in Spencer as well as getting the new taproom ready down the street.

The taproom will be open for regular pours and food on Thanksgiving eve – Wednesday, 11/25.  We encourage reservations that evening. All of our locations will be closed to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday with our families.

As a reminder, our last day at our existing taproom will be Saturday, December 19th. We hope you will join us in bidding adieu to our original taproom in Sturbridge that weekend, as we move onto the exciting new endeavors right down the street. The Disc Golf Course will remain open to the public until Monday, December 28th.

Thanks as always for your continued support!

 


We’re excited to announce that Rapscallion will be moving our brewing operations to Spencer, MA in January 2021.

The new location, located just 8 miles east from our current location in Sturbridge, will allow us to expand our brewing operation and support our evolving business model.

If you haven’t already, please check us out on Facebook and Instagram, and visit us online at visitrapscallion.com, where we’ll be documenting our journey and posting updates on our progress.

Thank you to all our friends, family, mug club, and community members who have continued to show their support by visiting us in Sturbridge since 2013. We truly appreciate your patronage!

We look forward to sharing this chapter with you.

In the meantime, we welcome you to stop by the taproom over the next few months to enjoy our outdoor dining area and indoor intimate seating areas in Sturbridge. We’ll be serving pours, bites from the food truck, and offering to-go cans in Sturbridge through the end of the year.

Rapscallion Table & Tap Wins 2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Restaurants

Rapscallion Table & Tap Recognized Among Best in World, Based on Outstanding 2019  Traveler/Diner Reviews 

 

Rapscallion Table & Tap today announced it has been recognized as a 2020 Travelers’ Choice award-winner for Restaurants. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great diner feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe.  

“We’re thrilled to be acknowledged as a Traveler’s Choice winner by TripAdvisor,” says Peter Daniel, coproprietor of Rapscallion Table & Tap. “We strive to provide excellent service to our patrons, paired with delicious food, high-quality beers and cocktails. We pride ourselves on exceptional hospitality, and this designation means a lot to us and our crew.”

“Winners of the 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well-deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for travelers/diners as the world begins to venture out again.”

Visit TripAdvisor.com to see diner reviews and popular dishes of  Rapscallion Table & Tap.

About Rapscallion

With current brewing headquarters and taproom in Spencer, Pub in Sturbridge, and restaurant in Acton, Rapscallion is a MA-only microbrewery that puts freshness, quality, and consistency above all else, honoring the craft, the Rapscallion customer, and their local communities.

About Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform*, helps 463 million travelers each month** make every trip their best trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to browse more than 860 million reviews and opinions of 8.7 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises. Whether planning or on a trip, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to compare low prices on hotels, flights and cruises, book popular tours and attractions, as well as reserve tables at great restaurants. Tripadvisor, the ultimate travel companion, is available in 49 markets and 28 languages.

 

Rapscallion names 2020 Bartender of the Year

Rapscallion, Phillips Distillery, & Prairie Organic Spirits names Bartender of the Year during 1st Ever Bartender Competition held at Rapscallion Table & Tap in Acton

 

Justin Rivers of Great Road Kitchen in Littleton named 2020 Rapscallion Bartender of the Year

 

Rapscallion Table & Tap, in partnership with sponsor Phillips Distilling Co., hosted the first-ever Rapscallion Bartender Competition on January 14, 2020, featuring Prairie Organic Vodka and Gin. Justin Rivers, bartender at Great Road Kitchen in Littleton, took first place with his signature cocktail, “Hungry Ghost.” Judges praised the entry as a perfectly balanced cocktail with a creative combination of ingredients to innovate a new flavor.

Contestants were asked to create a unique cocktail featuring a Prairie Organic Spirit. Prairie Organic Gin was the spirit of choice amongst all the competitors. This included cocktail runner up, “Outshine,” crafted by Chris Hooper of Bar25 in Ayer, that judges described as “exploding with flavor.” 

Rapscallion’s own Hilary Mathiau, bar manager at the Brewery in Sturbridge, impressed judges with her signature cocktail,  “Strange Brew. ” The drink was crafted to feature Rapscallion’s New England IPA and Prairie Organic Gin, which judges commented was a “great concept” with balance.

Competitors from throughout Massachusetts participated in the event representing various dining establishments. In addition to Rivers, Hooper, and Mathiau, the lineup included Marc Assini from Forge & Vine, Anthony Brocatto from Woods Hill Table, and Scott Bubar from Red Raven. 

The panel, led by Phillips Distilling Co.’s CEO Mike Duggan, consisted of Dominika Zielinska of Hynes Restaurant Group, local artist and teacher Linda Finnerty, and Jordan McCatherin. 

To a packed house, contestants were asked to prepare and present their cocktails to judges and attendees. Each cocktail was taste-tested by the judges panel, who rated the cocktail on a series of categories on a weighted scale: cocktail name, taste, appearance, presentation & style, and creative & innovation. Winner Justin Rivers took home the title and a cash prize; additionally, “Hungry Ghost”  will be honored as a featured beverage on the Rapscallion Table & Tap cocktail menu. 

Rapscallion’s cocktail program has grown significantly in popularity since the first of its two restaurants opened in 2013, initially serving just beer and wine. This is due in no small part to the creativity and vision of its two lead bartender/mixologists Miguel Salguero (Rapscallion Table & Tap, Acton) and Carlos Dias (Rapscallion Kitchen & Bar, Concord), who spearheaded the competition in collaboration with the teams from Prairie Organic Spirits and Phillips Distilling, Co. 

 

2020 Bartender Competition Contenders

Judges Panel
Winning Cocktail by Justin Rivers – Hungry Ghost
Strange Brew featuring Rapscallion’s New England IPA

 

About Rapscallion: With current brewing headquarters and taproom in Sturbridge and two restaurants located in Acton and Concord, Rapscallion is a MA-only microbrewery that puts freshness, quality and consistency above all else, honoring the craft, the Rapscallion customer and their local communities.

Prairie Organic Spirits, based in Princeton, Minn., produces farm-crafted spirits using single-sourced, vintage corn grown on family-owned, organic Midwest farms. The #1 USDA Certified organic spirits brand, Prairie Organic Spirits distills each batch to taste, with a commitment to high-quality ingredients. Prairie Organic offers spirits in three award-winning expressions – Organic Vodka, Organic Cucumber Flavored Vodka and Organic Gin – all of which are free from herbicides, pesticides and gluten. Phillips Distilling Company founded the brand in 2008 with a mission to grow organic spirits for the land, farmers and future.

Phillips Distilling Company (Phillips) is one of the most innovative and enduring distilled spirits companies in North America. Over 107 years in the making, Phillips continues to produce high-quality products using only the finest ingredients, sourced from around the globe. Phillips is consistently a pioneer in the spirits industry, from America’s first schnapps in the 1930s to flavored vodka in the 1950s to flavored whiskey in the 1990s to organic spirits in the 2000s.

 

Rapscallion wins 2019 Restaurant of the Year

Rapscallion Brewery, Rapscallion Table & Tap, and Rapscallion Kitchen & Bar have been recognized by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts as the 2019 Restaurant of the Year.

https://ram.memberclicks.net/2019-ramae-winners