Category: Sturbridge

Cinco de Mayo in Sturbridge and Acton

It all goes down Friday, May 5, 2023

While our Sturbridge Pub has a mix of food options, it does has a decidedly Mexican flare owing to the fact that our Head Chef Onesimo Sanchez hails from the the beautiful country of Mexico. His delicious recipes and fresh cooking style are heavily influenced by his Mexican roots. So of course we are doing a little extra to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Sturbridge in honor of our head chef and good friend Onesimo. And since we are one big family, Chef JP in Acton decided to put on his sombrero and also cook up some specials in honor of Onesimo!

Cinco de Mayo in Sturbridge

Food Specials

Mexican Salad
Iceberg lettuce, onion, tomato, cilantro, el pastor marinated chicken, served with a lime wedge

Tacos el Pastor
Two soft tortillas with pork, onion, cilantro, house-made salsa

Pita Special
Pita with pork carnita, house-made pico de gallo, lettuce, and chipotle sauce

Chef’s Bread Pudding
A Latin take on a traditional recipe

Drink Specials

Mezcal/Passionfruit Margarita

Paloma

Raps Michelada

Spicy Margarita 

Live Music

Carlos Odria Trio, May 5 from 6-9pm -— see the event listing here. 

Cinco de Mayo Specials in Acton

Appetizers

Street Corn
Corn rolled in butter, fire roasted, topped with paprika, cojita cheese, cilantro

Beef or Chicken Tinga Empanadas
Braised chicken thighs with potato and Mexican spices, or braised beef with potato, cheese, and Mexican spices

Entrees

Mexican Rice Bowl
Cilantro lime rice, fire roasted corn, black beans, red pepper, tomato, onion, shredded lettuce, avocado, sour cream, salsa roja, cojita cheese
Add grilled chicken or salmon

Dessert

Churros
Fried dough tossed in cinnamon sugar, topped with caramel sauce

Rapscallion’s Parachute Tables Have a Rich History

Painting of a parachute factory during World War II

Originally manufactured by US factories including Wrights Mill in West Warren, MA, parachute tables were constructed of solid steel and wood specifically for sewing parachutes during World War II, a job typically held by women. Understanding that the parachutes they manufactured would eventually save the lives of the men they loved, female parachute workers worked with extremes of both gravity for the task at hand and pride for their contribution to the war effort. Parachute women were well-respected and appreciated by enlisted people as well as the general public.

The women who sewed and manufactured parachutes maintained a bit of celebrity during WWII

To manufacture the parachutes, sewing machines were bolted through holes in the tabletop, while the smooth, steel surface prevented tears or pulls in the parachute’s silk material, allowing it to be easily and safely manipulated during construction.

Shown are the same type of tables now at Rapscallion being used for parachute manufacture during WWII

Today, these parachute tables are used at our Acton and Sturbridge venues, although the bolt holes have been covered and the original surfaces etched with the Rapscallion R. Otherwise, they are intact. We are proud that these historically significant tables are a permanent part of our decor.

 

Fun History: Harvard Brewery’s Prohibition Seizure

Harvard Brewing Company in the early 1900s

In 1893, Consumers’ Brewing Company set up shop in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1898, the decision was made to change the name to Harvard Brewing Company, and this newly branded business successfully expanded its product line, production capabilities, and market reach over the next two decades.

Harvard Brewing Company circa 1900

Prohibition went into effect in 1920 and the brewery’s plans to succeed by selling colas, ginger ale, and near-beer (<0.5% alcohol beer) weren’t working. With failure looming, Harvard executives added the beer back into their near-beer . Profits came back, and so did federal agents, culminating in August of 1925 when a truck filled with 100 barrels of illegal Harvard beer was hijacked in Lowell. As the hijackers were transferring the kegs to their cars, their movements were noticed by the neighborhood. And everyone wanted some of that!

Lowell Sun newspaper front page on August 19, 1925

As reported by the Lowell Courier-Citizen, “As soon as it became known in the locality what was going on, hundreds appeared and surrounded the truck. They all clamored for a chance to secure a barrel of the beer. Men came to blows and bedlam reigned. Besides the men involved, it is known that several women even procured barrels and rolled them along the sidewalks or in the streets to homes thereabouts.”

Due to the ruckus, police showed up to the scene and the mob scattered in all directions. When the liquor squad inspected the back of the truck, they discovered only two dozen kegs still remaining. Tracing the truck to Harvard Brewing, the police called in federal agents from Boston.

In the meantime, police picked one of the hijacker’s cars and chased it almost into neighboring Chelmsford before it crashed in a ditch. Its occupants leapt out and escaped on foot, leaving their precious cargo of two kegs of Harvard beer behind. The car had been stolen that morning by the rum-runners, who were not caught.

Harvard Brewing Company flag icon now incorporated into Rapscallion’s Harvard Lager can

Knowing agents were coming, brewery workers scrambled to ditch the beer, going so far as to dump barrels into the River Meadow Brook, which still runs along the Lowell Connector today. Arriving agents were initially refused entrance to the Brewery for lack of a search warrant. However, upon hearing workers smashing barrels inside, the officers forced the door open and five inches of beer cascaded out over the steps and onto the agents struggling to climb into the building — a veritable river of beer. The workers escaped. Nearly 500 barrels of beer didn’t. The agents had hit the motherload.

The raid was the largest in New England’s prohibition history with over 100,000
gallons of full strength brew confiscated by the government.

Circa 1916 advertisement for Harvard’s Green Label Export Beer, the 1898 recipe that is now Rapscallion’s Harvard Lager

Mug Members Win 2nd Place in Parade of Lights

Our Spencer Mug Club Members took it upon themselves to enter a Rapscallion float into the Spencer Parade of Lights. Spearheaded by Creative Director Chris Lindquist, the team of Mug Members created a “Christmas Vacation” themed float complete with camper, green-tinted smoke machine for Randy Quaid’s famous Cousin Eddie scene, and recliner for Uncle Lewis. Their talents and efforts won them Second Place overall (out of over 100 entries!).

The crew gathered at Raps Spencer after the parade and packed the house. Special thanks and shout out to our Raps family for making such an amazing creation.

Come Join Our Team!

We are hiring hiring hiring!

ACTON: Front of House and Back of House

We are looking for enthusiastic FOH servers/bartenders to provide an excellent guest eating and drinking experience, with ability to create classic and innovative drinks exceeding customers’ needs and expectations. Compensation includes base server rate and tips. We are also seeking line cooks either part-time or full-time to assist in our busy kitchen. Ability to work weekends a must.

STURBRIDGE: Bartenders, Servers, Food Runners

We are looking for enthusiastic bartenders, servers, and food runners to mix and serve cocktails and beer, deliver food to guests, bus tables and clean, and assist bar staff. Ability to work weekends a must.

SPENCER: Taproom Bartenders

We are looking for enthusiastic taproom bartenders to provide an excellent guest experience by serving our hand-brewed beer and other selections. This is not a cocktail position, no experience necessary — we will train! Compensation includes base server rate and tips. Ability to work weekends a must.

To apply, please email hello@visitrapscallion.com, or stop into our Acton, Sturbridge, or Spencer locations. We look forward to meeting you!

 

Honey Ale Brew Biscuits for Doggos!

Rapscallion is a proud partner of Brew Biscuits, a local micro-business that works with local breweries to up-cycle spent grains into dog biscuits. Brew Biscuits are made with simple ingredients: peanut butter, eggs, flour, and the spent grains from one of our flagship beers, Honey Ale. Born out of a love of dogs, beer, and baking, these dog-tested and lab-approved treats are lovingly hand-baked in a fully licensed residential kitchen out of Holden, MA. They are 100% safe for dogs and tested by an external lab — and that is a laboratory, not Labrador, although they approve, too!

Learn more at www.brew-biscuits.com, and don’t forget to tag them and us on social media in a picture of your pup enjoying a treat. Available at any Raps location. Thank you for shopping local!

Local Shout Out: Chamber of Commerce

Rapscallion holds membership in both the Middlesex West and Central Mass South Chambers of Commerce, and we are continuously amazed by the Chambers’ unwavering support of their local businesses and community. From philanthropic endeavors to networking events, the Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses and non-profit organizations thrive by providing a space for sharing ideas, offering educational opportunities, increasing visibility and credibility, and allowing access to a robust network of trusted vendors.

Throughout Covid, the Chamber of Commerce has provided an invaluable support system for local businesses, many of which were greatly challenged by economic shutdown. Additionally, the Chamber provides targeted networking and growth opportunities by hosting events such as Women in Business, Young Professionals, business roundtables, and lunch and learns.

Recently, the Middlesex West COC announced the hire of its new Executive Director Debra Strick. Pete Daniels, Co-Proprietor of Rapscallion and President of Middlesex West COC commented, “The Chamber is looking forward to having Debra on board. Our businesses have been in the Covid transition for two years, and this is the leadership we’ve been seeking. Debra offers a great mix. She lives and works locally, and it is a treat to have her new ideas and energy. The Board is taking on new members and we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting to work.” Read the complete announcement here.

Rapscallion offers our warmest congratulations and welcome to Ms. Strick, and encourages all local businesses and non-profit organizations to join their local Chambers of Commerce. A membership in the Chamber of Commerce is an investment in our local community. Thank you, Chamber of Commerce!

Learn more or join Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce here.

Learn more of join Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce here.

In Tribute to JB

We pay tribute to a very loyal and inspirational friend of the Raps community. JB demonstrated daily how to be loving as a devoted father and husband to four amazing girls and their equally devoted mother, Crystal. He was a true family man who worked hard and supported his family with all their endeavors. He always made sure his friends who visited his family’s Sturbridge summer home were happy and relaxed, forever hospitable no matter the hour or the weather. Thank you, JB, for hosting us and providing such a fun atmosphere to unwind, and for being a fast friend to many of those lucky enough to meet you. You will forever be remembered and the mugs will always be clinking in your name! Click here for JB’s obituary.