On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

April 16th: Brewtopia World Beer Festival. This brewfest features unlimited samples from over 300 of the world's finest craft beers. Who can resist? If you're still wavering, you might want to know that the event's organizers will be making a donation to Citymeals-on-wheels, which provides hand-delivered meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers. Convinced yet? Tickets for each session are available online at www.brewtopiafest.com or by phone at 877-772-5425 and are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th street between 6th & 7th Aves, two sessions: 1-5 pm, 6-10pm.

April 19th: Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day! Go find a Ben & Jerry's near you and pick up a free cone between 12pm and 8pm. 'Nuff said.

April 19th: Flavors of EN Sake Tasting. This sake tasting and four-course dinner will feature Kosuke Kuji, Master Brewer of Nambu Bijin Brewery in Iwate, Japan, who will join sake Sommelier Takahiro Okada and Executive Chef Yasuhiro Honma, in helping you learn how to choose a high quality sake, decipher labels and restaurant lists, and pair your selections with traditional Japanese cuisine. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at EN Japanese Brasserie, 435 Hudson Street. $60 per person. Call 212-647-9196, ext. 204 for reservations.

April 20: Ruthie & Gussie/Empire Kosher Matzo Ball Eating Championship. If you're lucky enough to be free at 1pm on a Wednesday, go see reigning champ Eric "Badlands" Booker, who ate 21 in 5 min 25 seconds last year. During the event, sponsored by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, contestants will down matzo balls from the "official “kvetch-proof” Ruthie & Gussie’s recipe cooked in chicken soup made with great tasting Empire Kosher chickens." At the Friars Club, 57 East 57th Street between Madison and Park Aves. 1pm, free, call 212-627-5766 for more information.