Gael Warning is among the bands at the Lake Norman Beer Fest Saturday.

Nothing like a little chill in the air to inspire thoughts of autumn – and beer festivals. The Galway Hooker in Cornelius this Saturday hosts the 2011 Lake Norman Beer Fest, where beer lovers can sample brews from international and regional brewers and listen to a bit of live music. Meanwhile, Restaurant X in Davidson has a benefit night Thursday, and recently won a customer satisfaction award. And Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in downtown Davidson is getting ready to tweak its menu for fall.

BEER FESTIVAL SATURDAY

The 2011 Lake Norman Beer Fest is scheduled this Saturday, Sept. 17, from noon to 9 p.m. at Galway Hooker, 17044 Kenton Drive, in Kenton Place, Cornelius.

A $25 ticket buys you all you can sample from a wide range of international and regional brewers – from Guinness to Peroni and Blue Moon to Flat Tire. A few local brewers also will be there, such as Big Boss from Raleigh and Olde Mecklenburg and Kind Beers from Charlotte.

They’ll also sell you a $45 VIP ticket which includes access to a private tasting area, food, limited availability beers and a free sampling glass.

Music all day will include bands such as Simplified, Blue Monday, and Gael Warning. NFL players and comedians – not the same, are they? – also are on the bill. More info: lknbeerfest.com

QUICK BITES

On Thursday, Sept. 15, Restaurant X, 408 S. Main St., Davidson, will host a benefit night for Davidson United Methodist Church and Habitat for Humanity. A portion of the night’s sales will go to the church’s “Stoves for Guatemala” project. (See Aug. 30, 2011, “Methodists fire up over Guatemala stove projecdt” Meanwhile, Restaurant X recently was recognized with a Talk of the Town 2011 Customer Satisfaction Award. The independent rating is based on surveys of diners on several “user-review websites,” according to Talk of the Town. The Farmington Hills, Mich., company provides research to small business. Meanwhile,

Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in downtown Davidson is updating its menu for fall. Chef Andres Aroboleda has introduced a Moroccan-Spiced Brown Lentil Soup for the change of seasons, replacing this summer’s Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho. The soup is cooked with a hamhock and andouille sausage. Also, the cheesesteak sandwich is now more traditional, using provolone instead of bleu cheese and a hoagie roll instead of sandwich bread. And the veggie sandwich has become a wrap, with baba ganoush spread. The changes come in advance of a big menu revamp in the works for October, he said. Stay tuned.

Jersey Mike’s Subs in Cornelius is hosting its first Spirit Day this Sunday, Sept. 18, to benefit Body & Soul, an international nonprofit fitness organization. Twenty percent of the proceeds from sales between 1 and 3 p.m. that day will benefit the organization. Body & Soul encourages both physical and spiritual health, and is focusing its efforts on fighting obesity. In keeping with that goal, the Spirit Day featured sub will be a turkey or turkey salad sub. Customers may order at the store, at 20619 Torrence Chapel Rd, or online.

McAlister’s Deli, which has a shop on West Catawba Avenue in Cornelius, is making changes to its menu – and also giving away a pair of Jeep Wranglers. The chain recently began offering a new grilled sandwich line, and this week added new entrée salads. They include a Southwest Cobb Salade, with grilled chicken breast, fire-roasted corn & poblano pepper relish, guacamole, cheddar-jack cheese, tomatoes and tortilla chips; and the Italian Chopped Salad with Black Forest Ham, salami, Gambino’s olive salad, roasted red peppers, provolone, cucumbers and tomatoes. Meanwhile, the restaurants through Nov. 26 are taking registrations for a prize giveaway that will including two Jeep Wranglers.

Campania Cafe, 416 S. Main St., Davidson, has live music every Friday night in September. Clyde Derberry plays this Friday, Sept. 16, and Sept. 30, while Scotti Benge is up Sept. 23. Campania serves a full menu on the front porch nightly. And they’ve recently added a full liquor license, including a menu of specialty martinis.