Point your GPS in an easterly direction for a Downeast Cider Lunch at The Smoke Shop in East Boston on Saturday, December 16th. The newest outpost of award-winning chef and pitmaster Andy Husbands’ BBQ empire on Lewis Wharf is hosting Downeast’s Julia Gualitieri for a 12:00pm tasting of three of their unfiltered ciders paired with some super tasty ‘que, and it’ll be the perfect way to get through hump day. The homegrown cider brand was started by two pals in a dorm room at Bates College, who later made their home in the Hub right down the road from The Smoke Shop in Eastie, so you’ll definitely be drinking local.

You can snag a ticket here for $49, which includes an appetizer, entree and dessert all paired with Downeast’s Original Blend, Winter Blend and Maple Waffle (which is normally only available at their cider house). You’ll get a chance to ask Gualitieri all about the cider making process and still have plenty of time left in your day to get back to work — or stick around after lunch and have a sip of whiskey from the Shop’s extensive catalog of spirits. If you have Qs give the East Boston location a call at 781.627.7427 and keep your eye on their IG for updates on their ongoing Monthly Beer Lunch series.