Don't miss Brewer's Plate on Sunday

The current craft-beer rage was not even a glimmer when the Brewer's Plate debuted 10 years ago.

Now the granddaddy of Philadelphia beer events, the Brewer's Plate will be back, bigger than ever, on Sunday, March 9 at the Kimmel Center. VIP opening is 5:30 p.m.; the rest get in at 6:30.

It's a benefit for Fair Food, which works to bring healthy local food to the marketplace and promotes a humane, sustainable agriculture system for the region.

The key here is the pairing of beer and food. Dozens of them.

Take Southwark restaurant in Queen Village, paired with Nodding Head Brewery. They're serving Banger Terrine with Curried Egg Gribiche and Rye Flatbread alongside Rufus Ale (ABV 6%).

And Khyber Pass Pub is working with Shawnee Craft Brewing Co., matching the fried vegan chicken po'boy and roast beef po'boy with Triple Pale Ale (ABV 90%).

There will be many vegetarian options this year, with Miss Rachel's Pantry, Epic Pickles, and Philly Bread Company set up in the VIP area.

A Sausage Showdown in the VIP area will include a contest judged by such folks as Iron Chef Jose Garces, Food Network's Marc Summers, and the Eagles' Brent Celek.

The Angry Orchard Cider House will bring together five mixologists competing to be crowned King (or Queen) of the Brewer's Plate favorite cider cocktail.

A new Locavore Lounge, open to all attendees, will serve food by Barren Hill Tavern, Bobolink Dairy, Choptank Oyster Company (with unlimited oysters), Doe Run Dairy, Donna & Company Artisanal Chocolates, Fair Food Farmstand, Victory Brewpub, Philly Beer Scene Magazine, and Weckerly's Ice Cream. Beer in the lounge will be provided by Barren Hill Brewery, the new Conshohocken Brewery, Dock Street Brewery, Earth & Bread Brewery, Evil Genius Beer, Forest & Main Brewing Company, Frecon's Cidery, Philadelphia Distilling, and Victory Brewing Company.

Info and tickets are here. General admission tickets are $65 per person and VIP tickets are $135.