Arooga’s Collaborates with Pizza Boy Brewing Co. To Create “Wingstinguisher IPA”; FREE Beer, Food Specials, Wing Eating Contests, Inaugural Tapping of “Wingstinguisher IPA” all on Deck for the Sports Bar’s Bash
Harrisburg, PA (Restaurant News Release) Arooga’s is turning six and is ready to party like the rock star it is.
Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar, the Harrisburg-born, Harrisburg-based award-winning full-service casual dining restaurant, is set to celebrate its 6th anniversary beginning Friday, July 25 by doing two things that you’d expect the region’s best sports bar to do: make new beer and give away free beer.
Arooga’s has collaborated with Enola-based Pizza Boy Brewing Co. to create Arooga’s “Wingstinguisher IPA” for the bash. The weekend-long celebration happens at Arooga’s original location on Route 22 in Harrisburg (7025 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg, PA 17112). Pizza Boy’s owner Al Kominski will tap the “Wingstinguisher IPA” firkin with tangerine zest at 5:30 on Friday. Arooga’s will release “Wingstinguisher IPA” at its other restaurants in the coming weeks.
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity to partner with a local company that has accomplished so much and continues to grow. We wanted to make sure this beer was EXACTLY what Arooga’s is looking for, as it is our first beer to be brewed for off premises consumption. Up until this point, everything has been consumed here at the pizza shop,” said Kominski. “At the request of the Arooga’s team, we brewed a 6.8% West Coast style red IPA. Dry hopped with Citra, Simcoe and bravo hops it has a moderate bitterness and light citrus finish to compliment your favorite wing flavor or burger.”
On Saturday, July 26, from noon – 2 pm, Arooga’s will be giving away free beer samples from over 20 craft brewers, including Angry Orchard, Bell’s, Curious Traveler, Deschutes, Dogfish Head, Lagunitas. Long Trail, Magic Hat, Otter Creek, Penn. Sam Adams, Stone, Troegs. Twisted Tea & Lemonade, Victory and Wolaver’s.
“It’s been a great six years, but we’re just getting started,” said Gary Huether, Jr., president and co-founder of Arooga’s. “From day one, we felt like we had a world-class brand. We look forward to taking our great concept to other areas, but we remain proud of our Harrisburg roots and look forward to celebrating our big day with our closest friends at our original Arooga’s on Route 22.”
Of course, Arooga’s will make its award-winning Wings part of the festivities. In addition to featuring $.49 wings all weekend, Arooga’s will have two Wing eating contests, one based on quantity, the other on heat. On Saturday, the first contest begins at 6 pm, with the person eating the most wings receiving a trip to Aruba. The second contest features the Ghost Face Killa Wings (aka HOT!), with the winner receiving a $250 in cash.
Since Arooga’s opened its first restaurant in 2008, it has been an industry darling and ahead of the curve in all aspects of its business, evidenced by its selection as America’s Next Top Restaurant Franchise, beating more than 250 entrants from 36 states in a program co-sponsored by Sysco Foods and The Franchise Edge in a nationwide search to find an independent restaurant to become the next great franchise.
Arooga’s sixth anniversary happens at a time when the brand is on an undeniable and impressive roll. Arooga’s recently received a 2014 “Best of Harrisburg” Business Hall of Fame honor as an award recipient for six consecutive years, in as many years of eligibility. Arooga’s also won the most categories in the annual Reader Favorites list, including Best Bar Food, Best Burger, Best Casual Date Spot, Best Happy Hour Spot, Best Neighborhood Bar and Best Wings.
In addition, Arooga’s recently announced it has entered into a franchise agreement with The Mohegan Tribe that will nearly triple the brand’s overall footprint. The deal calls for a minimum of 15 restaurants in the New England market over the next five years. Arooga’s plans to break ground on the first location next Tuesday, July 22 adjacent to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. Staying true to its roots, Arooga’s will open another Central Pennsylvania location in September, in Shippensburg.
About Arooga’s
Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar is an innovative full-service casual restaurant and bar with a sports and entertainment focus that combines exceptional food and beverages, with unique concepts, and proprietary operational strategies. Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar was founded in July 2008, and currently operates eight corporate locations in Central Pennsylvania. Now, its founders are taking the “unique sports and entertainment restaurant & bar” concept national and are offering franchising opportunities to qualified single and multi-unit candidates. For more information, visit www.aroogas.com.
Contact:
Derek Farley
DFPR for Arooga’s
704-941-7353
derek@dfpr.com