image stolen from foobooz
It’s not Beer Week ya’ll. Didn’t you get the press release? They moved that to June when the weather’s better. Yes, I know I put on my dirndl for the third year in a row to skip around the Naval Yard at the Craft Beer Festival last weekend, but trust, it’s not the kickoff to beer week. [Ed Note: I actually went dirndlless this year and very much noticed how many breweries were not at that fest. They'd better be bringing it this weekend. I'm looking at you, local breweries.]¬† Meanwhile, everyone seemed to be celebrating what is being dubbed beer weekend. Seriously, check out the March listings over on The Brew Lounge. Saint Brigid be praised there’s a lot going on.¬†For a more curated look, Foobooz has their picks.
Pay as you go seems to be the theme for this weekend, which is usually the theme to my weekends. Chances are you already imbibe a significant and diverse amount of beer just living and relaxing in this city, so pick an event that isn’t just going to a bar you’re¬†familiar¬†with and drinking what you might anyway. Really stretch your wings. Personally, I’m a sucker for a paired beer dinner, (that whole gastronomy and libations part of our mission) so I would suggest going for one of those. Every beer/wine/tequilla dinner paring event I’ve been to has felt like a good bang for my buck, as the quality of what they serve is top notch, it’s nerds geeking out about what they love, and you usually get more than they advertise. Treat yourself.
Saturday March 13th is the Iron Hill Beer Dinner with Paul Rutherford at the Swift Half Pub. Starts at 7 P.M. and is $55.¬† Menu and info here. Sunday the 14th is a bit more subdued, but Hawthorne’s Cafe is hosting a Philly Beer Geek Brunch, which is rather cute. Sponsored by Philly Beer Magazine, customers pick the menu with items cooked with local brews, paired with special stouts. It’s $20 per person for the buffet, but beers are pay as you go, which is sneaky. Info! If you feel like really indulging, on Monday the 15th Barclay Prime is hosting 5 course meal with Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster Garrett Oliver. It’s from 6:30pm-9:30pm and will set you back $125. But I bet it’s worth it. Read more about it on foobooz. Of course all these meal pairings require reservations, so hop to it.
There’s a reason this city has such a stellar beer reputation. But it’s all a moot point for me, as unfortunately, the partner and I are currently out of town, so will be missing out on all the local beer¬†festivities. Don’t feel sorry for us – we’re going to another brewer’s festival this weekend – in Kona. I know. Shut up.¬†Meanwhile, posts should carry on as usual without me. Have fun drinking.
Tags: 2010, Barclay Prime, beer, beer weekend, brew lounge, Brooklyn Brewery, foobooz, Garrett Oliver, Hawthorne's Cafe, Iron Hill, March, Paul Rutherford, Swift Half Pub