Beer nerds, rejoice! You have a week’s worth of drinking ahead of you. Next week is DC Beer Week, now in its sixth year of existence.
And, if you live on Capitol Hill, you have a distinct advantage. That’s because many of the events gravitate around our neighborhood bars.
Whether you’re looking for an all-you-can eat and drink dinner, an oddly-flavored wormwood beer, or a local taste of D.C.’s beer scene, this week pretty much has you covered. The full rundown on events is here, but for some carefully curated, can’t miss events, click on the jump and keep reading!
Saturday, August 16th
A Pig Roast Extravaganza with Devils Backbone Brewing
The unofficial start to DC Beer Week is this Saturday. Barrel hosts a pig roast paired with Devils Backbone beers. The party starts at 6 p.m. in the Elixir Bar downstairs. Tickets are $60 each.
Sunday, August 17th
Sam Adams Beer-B-Q at Hank’s Oyster Bar
Hank’s Oyster Bar is the place if you’re a Sam fan. They’re starting DC Beer Week with an all-you-can-eat and drink “Beer-B-Q.” Pick from eight Sam Adams beers: These are draft beers from their reserve collection. If you want to try an out-there cocktail, the bar is serving a Fla-Vor-Ice drink with Sam Adams Porch Rocker, a fruit beer with lemon and malt flavors. The kitchen is also getting in on the action. There are three varieties of oysters: barbecue, fried and on the half-shell. They also have an all-you-can eat barbecue spread. Tickets are $65 each and there are two sittings– the first starts at 11 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m.; the second one, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Barrel-Aged Brunch at Granville Moore’s
A direct competitor to Hank’s — but also a strong contender — Granville Moore’s plays host to DC Brau on Sunday. They’re calling it a barrel-aged brunch, where you can try two limited-release, barrel-aged beers. Both brews are versions of DC Brau’s “On The Wings of Armageddon,” an imperial IPA. It will be interesting to taste these two beers side-by-side, as one was aged in a Catoctin Creek barrel and the other in a Caledonia Spirits barrel. Both beers will be tapped at 11 a.m., but if you can’t make it Sunday, hurry in this week. Both beers last until the kegs are tapped.
Monday, August 18th
Low Country Boil at Union Pub
Continuing on the all-you-can-eat trend, it’s crabs, shrimp and Andouille sausage with Devils Backbone beers, including their Eight Point IPA and Azrael, a Belgian Pale Ale. Tickets are $40 each and the event runs from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday, August 19th
Bells Tap Takeover at Capitol Lounge
Staying true to all things Michigan, Capitol Lounge replaces its tap lines with Bells on Tuesday. Find varieties, like Deb’s Red Ale, Wedding Ale Imperial Wit, Round House India Red Ale, and Hop Solution Double IPA.
Thursday, August 21st
Perennial Tap Takeover at Boundary Road
Perennial Artisan Ales can be harder to find in D.C. because this St. Louis brewery deals mainly in small batch, specialty brews. On Thursday night though, you can head on over to Boundary Road and sample some of their limited-edition beers. On tap, you’ll find Aria (a Belgian ale), Saison de Lis (a Belgian Saison), Hommel (Belgian Pale Ale), Hopfentea (Berliner Weissbier style beer), The Last Word (a tart American ale with key lime, wintergreen, and wormwood flavors), and Woodside (a traditional Tripel-style beer).
Be the First to Sample Bluejacket’s Snallygaster 2014 Ale
Visit Bluejacket on Thursday and be the first to sample their Snallygaster 2014 Ale. The beer will be served in bulk at September’s Snallygaster festival. Also, anytime you order the ale before the festival (September 13th) you’ll be entered to win Bluejacket’s grand prize: a case of Bluejacket beers, including barrel-aged and sour ales, and a Greg Englert-led beer and food tour at the brewery.
Friday, August 22nd
Red Porch Firkin Friday at Nationals Park
If you’re heading to the Nationals game on Friday night, stop-by the Red Porch for a cask beer from Mad Fox Brewing. The bar is serving their Oatmeal Vanilla Stout as part of “Firkin Friday” with proceeds supporting the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation.
Sunday, August 24th
Brewers on the Block at Union Market
This year’s DC Beer Week ends at Union Market. Many regional breweries will pour tastes, including DC Brau, 3 Stars, Atlas Brew Works, Chocolate City, Lost Rhino, Mad Fox, Flying Dog, Right Proper, and Port City (phew!). This is an all-you-can-drink, outdoor party. Tickets are $50 each, and the event runs from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.