1 of 18

The Taste of Alabaster took place on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6-9 p.m. at Siluria Brewing Company. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Residents mingled and tasted a sampling of what the city of Alabaster has to offer while enjoying live music out in the fresh cool air during the fourth annual Taste of Alabaster.

This year’s installment of the Taste of Alabaster took place on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6-9 p.m. at Siluria Brewing Company, where vendors and attendees were able to take advantage of a new setup.

“Overall, it was a good event,” said Tray Coyne, president of the Alabaster Business Alliance. “Everyone loved having the outdoor space and some of the food outdoors. It just gave everybody a lot of breathing room.”

With close to 200 attendees, the fourth annual Taste of Alabaster was the largest yet and a new approach to housing the event helped keep things organized. Instead of placing each of the restaurant’s present at the event inside Siluria Brewing Company, ABA chose to spread them out and place half of them inside and the other half outside. Additionally, attendees were able to relax at tables outdoors where they could eat and enjoy the live music.

“People were able to move around a lot easier and spend more time talking to those restaurant owners without blocking others from getting to the tables,” Coyne said.

The Ringers serenaded attendees with a series of popular rock tunes on the back patio—marking the first time the Taste of Alabaster has offered live music from a full ensemble band.

“They did a great job,” Coyne said. “They kept everybody engaged. This was our first year having a full band, and it really was a great addition.”

The main draw of the Taste of Alabaster each year is its selection of local restaurants and this year’s installment did not disappoint with its offering of 10 businesses to choose from.

“We had everything from gumbo to barbecue and cakes and some of the best bread pudding I’ve ever had in my life,” Coyne said. “We just had a huge variety. Everyone loved the food. We so appreciate these restaurants for being involved.”

The following local businesses were present at the 2024 Taste of Alabaster:

• Joe’s Italian
• Gumbo to Geaux
• Buddy’s Bar-B-Q
• Brother Paul’s BBQ
• Whisk Confections
• Nonnie’s Little Bakery
• Birds and Burgers
• Dolly’s Diner (formerly known as Golden Fish and Chicken)
• Copper Train
• Momo’s Cajun Eatz

Tickets to the event were $20 and once inside, participants were able to sample any of the restaurants they wanted in addition to purchasing beverages from Siluria Brewing Company.

All proceeds from the event went toward funding the Alabaster Business Alliance Scholarship Fund which helps to pay for scholarships for graduating seniors in the city of Alabaster.

“The purpose of the Alabaster Business Alliance is, first and foremost, to support local businesses, but secondly, to give back to the next generation of business leaders,” Coyne said. “We’re hoping to help those kids get an easier start than we all had by helping financially with their next level of education.”

To date, the ABA has awarded 18 scholarships totaling $17,000 in funds from the first three Taste of Alabaster events. ABA scholarships are open to any Alabaster senior who is graduating, including homeschool students.

Those interested in keeping up to date with the Taste of Alabaster and future announcement may follow the event’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564978441356.

More Alabaster Reporter

Thompson drops overtime clash with Hoover after blocked extra point

Evangel cruises past East Central to clinch top spot in ACSC playoffs

Chamber celebrates All-Star Tourism and Recreation award winners

Community honors seven historical figures during inaugural Shelby County Hall of Fame