Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »

Sonat Birnecker Hart and Robert Bimecker, founders of the new Koval Distillery in Ravenswood, lead a tasting of all ten of their spirits, including vodka, grain spirits, and several liqueurs. The event coincides with the first week of Eat Local/Drink Local Night at In Fine Spirits: on Thursdays this summer cocktails there will be special menu items made with farmers’ market ingredients, Koval spirits, and Metropolitan beer. 7:30-9:30 PM, 5420 N. Clark, 773-506-9463, $15.

There’ll be fewer booths this year (56 in total) at Taste of Chicago, but new vendors include Blue Bayou, Garrett’s Popcorn, and Manny’s, and perennial favorites Sweet Baby Ray’s, Eli’s Cheesecake, and Lou Malnati’s will be back. 6/26-7/5, 11 AM-9 PM (closes 7/3 after the fireworks and 7/5 at 6 PM), Grant Park, Columbus and Jackson, 312-744-3315.

At Red Light’s Pig Roast and Cooking Class, chef Jackie Shen will roast a whole pig in a La Caja China box, designed to roast a pig in under four hours; Greg Hall of Goose Island will discuss pairing beer with pork and provide beer from his company. Reservations required.Sun 6/28, noon, Red Light, 820 W. Randolph, 312-733-8880, $55.