Get your stein, mug, and goblet ready for Beer Week 2011. Celebrate the area’s beer culture and see what’s brewing in the District.
By Shannon O’Reilly
Beer Week 2011 kicks off on August 14th and goes through August 20th. It's all about the brew. Photo by nanovid, Flickr.
Beer week, a 7 day celebration of the ales, stouts, and lagers we’ve come to love, is coming to the District August 14th to the 20th. With over 200 planned events across the city, bars, breweries, and restaurants will be featuring their finest and some new beers made especially for the week’s celebration. With so many events going on, we’ve picked some of the highlights for the week. To see a full listing of events click HERE.
Sunday, August 14th
Craft Beer Cruise
Start off beer week in style with unlimited sampling of beers on an Odyssey Cruise. Sail across the Potomoac, see the national monuments, and bask in a selection of 20 beers. This Beer Cruise won’t be short of fun either, with a dinner buffet, DJ, and dancing. Is there any better way to celebrate the hops, yeast, and malt of this timeless beverage? The cruise boards at 5:30 and tickets begin at $85. You can buy them HERE.
Capitol Lounge
Capitol Lounge shows its appreciation for beer week by showcasing east coast beers and signature cuisines from New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. From New York, taste Brooklyn Lager, Blue Point Toasted Head Lager and Schmaltz Brewing Company Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA. Chase it with reuben sliders, a NYC favorite. As for Philly its all about the Victory Hop Devil, Weyerbacher, Blithering Idiot Stout, and Yuengling Lager. It’s a no brainer what would be paired with these brews, steak and cheese sliders. Last but not least is Baltimore. After sampling Flying Dog In Heat Wheat, Heavy Seas Loose Cannon American Hop3 Ale, and Hook and Ladder Backdraft Brown, follow it up with some crabcake sliders. Can’t make it Sunday? No worries. Capitol Lounge celebrates all week.
Monday, August 15th
Founders Beer Dinner
It’s sure to be a legendary night of wining and dining at Birch & Barley with a carefully composed food and beer experience that will feature the ales of of David Engbers, co-founder of Founders Brew Company. The night includes a 5 course tasting menu, which will be paired with 9 hand-crafted ales from the brewery itself. The menu is sure to not disappoint with BBCK Executive Chef Kyle Bailey and Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac as the masterminds behind the cuisine. The dinner is $75 a head and is sure to fill up quickly. To make a reservation call Birch & Barley 202-567-2576.
2nd Annual Brooklyn Brawl
Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe will host the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Brawl, a beer and cheese tasting along with an Q&A session led by Brooklyn Brewery’s DC representive, Junior Acevedo. Bring out the flavors of Brooklyn Brewery’s Oktoberfest, Weisse, Concoction, Black Ops, Sorachi Ace and Local 2 with paired cheeses by Paul Wesley of International Gourmet Food.
Tuesday, August 16th
Victory Tap Takeover
It’s all about the Victory beers at Pizza Paradiso, with Rare and obscure Victory beers on tap all night long. Get a pint and meet Bill Covaleski, founder and president of Victory, one of the East Coast’s most-award winning breweries. The list of beers includes, Braumeister Pils, Scarlet Fire, Kolsch, Mad King Weiss, Festbier, Hop Devil, Hop Wallop, Storm King, Prima Pils, Summer Love, Yakima Glory, Golden Monkey. From 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. beers are only $3 so stop by early.
Home Brewer Matchup
In late July, home brewers dropped off two bottles of their own brew at Meridian Pint for the ultimate home brewer matchup set up by Meridian Pint and the DC State Fair. On August 16th, the competition will get heated as the top 25 entrants participate in the fourth Meridian Pint Home Brewer Match Up. The top three entrants will win $100, $50, and $25 gift certificates from Meridian Pint, as well as the title for winner of the DC State Fair’s Home Brew Competition. Come judge for yourself.
Wednesday, August 17th
Schmaltz Rare and Obscure Night
It will sure to be a night to remember at ChurchKey, the founder of Schmaltz Brewing, Jeremy Cowan, will talk about the beers he’s brewing and what’s to come for Schmaltz. Casks will be poured and vintage beers tasted, but this won’t be the highlight for the night. Cowan will debut the collaboration between Terrapin Brewing Company and Schmaltz Brewing, which will be on draft in D.C. The Reunion Ale ‘11: A Beer for Hope! is a 7.6% dark ale, brewed with cocoa nibs, vanilla, and chili peppers. Admission is free, so why not come out and try this beer that is sure to be unique.
The Art of German Brewing Class
Sampled beers from around the world, been there done that. Now, learn the intricacies behind German brewing from Pete Sowvaker, official brand ambassador of Troegs Brewing Co. Learn about the subtle characteristics of German brews and how it influences the America craft of brewing. The class includes food and beer pairings. Just as a sneak peek one pairing is Troegs Dreamweaver and asparagus with buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and olives. Now that you’re convinced, book your spot by calling Red Rocks at (202) 506-1402.
Thursday, August 18th
Blue Point Beer and Oyster Fest
Star couple of the week: Oysters and Beer. At The Reef, get your hands on some oysters and a beer from Long Island’s Craft Brewery and you’ll be saying till death do us part. Blue Point Brewery from Patchogue, Long Island will be flowing from the taps, featuring the World Cup Gold Medal Winning Toasted Lager and the rare Toxic Sludge.
Yes, You Can
21st Amendment hosts, “Yes, You Can” on the roof of Jack Rose Dining Saloon. David Wilson, co-owner of 21st Amendment will guide guests through a series of beers, one will be on draft and four are out of the can. By a 21st Amendment beer koozie at Jack Rose and save on the entrance fee and beers.
Friday, August 19th
West Coast Brewery Night
Smith Commons will be showcasing some of the West Coast’s finest breweries. With $5 pints, $15 bombers, and $5 regional themed small food pairings, you’ll be able to get a taste of the special brews from California and Oregon. Some of the breweries that will be featured from California include Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Stone Brewing Co., Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, and Moylan’s Brewery. From Oregon, you’ll get to try beers from Rogue Ales and Widmer Brothers Brewery.
Saturday, August 20th
Star and Shamrock First Annual Hot Dog Eating Championship
How many dogs does it take to win a tour of Shmaltz Brewing Company’s “World’s Smallest Brewery” in Coney Island NYC? Probably a lot. Star and Shamrock hosts a week long hot dog eating championship. Preliminaries are August 15th through the 17th at 9 p.m. The final is on Saturday. Whether your there as a competitor or spectator, come on out and watch some serious eating while meeting “Brewmeister” Jeremy Cowen and watching a slide show all about the beer.
Vegan Beer Dinner
Calling all vegans and beer lovers. Bread & Brew is hosting a five course vegan dinner paired with five vegan craft beers. B&B’s will pair the beers with cuisine using only the best: fresh local, organic produce. Tickets are $50 dollars and the doors open at 7:30 p.m. Seats are limited, so be sure to make a reservation by calling Bread & Brew at 202-466-2676.
