Irish Soda Bread Competition This Sunday At Ross Brewing In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — In the past year, since they opened last April, Ross Brewing in Belford has held apple pie competitions, chili cook-offs and more.

And now this March, they will host Middletown's first-ever Irish Soda Bread Bake-Off.

Think you can make a delicious Irish soda bread? Enter it at Ross Brewing's contest, held March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) at 12 noon at the brewery. Here is the link to sign up, plus rules and how the contest will be judged: https://www.ubmeevents.com/eve...

Then, bring your best soda bread to the brewery by 12 noon March 17. Ross Brewing Co. is located at 909 Main St. in Port Monmouth.

Right before Thanksgiving, 14 people entered Ross' apple pie contest, and the winners were Lauren DeSanti of Belford (first place, she is the owner of Whisky Business Bakeshop), Middletown resident Christine Ward (second place) and Jennifer McCue of Matawan (third place). Even the wife of Middletown Police Chief R. Craig Weber entered a pie; her pie won for best appearance. See photos from the November apple pie winners.

Your very own Middletown Patch reporter will again be a judge of the best soda bread; more judges to be announced.

It's Ross Brewing's St. Patrick's Day event that day, and the brewery has a lot planned, including live music, a food truck serving corned beef and cabbage, face-painting, bagpipers and even a video game bus. Here is everything Russ Brewing has planned for March 17:

• First annual Irish Soda Bread baking contest! (Prizes for top three winners, details soon)
• Multiple live Irish music bands, including the Desperados Irish Trio, Craig Mahoney and more
• The debut of their Sully's Irish Stout
• Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and more by Nip N'Truck
• Face-painting for the kids (and adults)
• A full size video game bus by Autocades
• 360° Photo and Video Booth by Red Sky Events
• Bagpipers
• Irish-themed cookies & cake pops for sale by Whisky Business Bakeshop and Whimsy Sweet Treats
• Multiple beer stations

Says brewery owner John Ross Cocozza: "With no parades nearby, this is THE St. Patrick's Day celebration for the entire Bayshore and eastern Monmouth County. Bring the family, bring the dogs, bring everyone!"

See photos of the pies and the winners from their November apple pie contest: 1st, 2nd And 3rd Place Winners In Middletown Apple Pie Contest