D.C. Beer Week is back for the eighth year in row, officially kicking off on September 24 and ending October 1. There will be tons of parties, tap takeovers and seminars all around the city. A full list of official events is available online, but Eater has combed through for some of the most promising parties and events during the brew-filled week.
Disclaimer: the official 183rd Munich Oktoberfest kicked off Sept. 16; traditionally, D.C.’s beer week precedes the real thing in the peak of the summer in August. By having the event post-Labor Day, organizers figure that means more drinkers are likely to be in town this year to participate. So prepare accordingly for hangovers and Uber delays amidst big, boozy crowds. Here’s a sampling of what to expect, starting tomorrow:
Saturday, September 24:
Start festivities with BrewHaHa, DC Beer Week’s kickoff party featuring ten local breweries and ten local chefs at Old Ebbitt Grill's expansive atrium. The cocktail-style party will show off some of D.C.'s best food and craft beer. Guests can get unlimited tastings of 20 craft beers (Old Ox Brewery, Bust Head Brewing Company) from local breweries alongside 20 tastes from top restaurants (RPM Italian, Red Hen).
Sunday, September 25:
Give love to new brewers on the block at The Black Squirrel, starting at 2 p.m. Give a warm welcome to 10 breweries, including Bad Wolf (Manassas), Center of the Universe (Ashland), 7 Locks (Rockville) and Sehkraft (Arlington).
Monday, September 26:
At 5 p.m., head to Boundary Stone in Bloomingdale for its fifth birthday, with a special collaboration brewed with DC Brau. Then come back Tuesday for its annual Battle of the Barrel Aged event.
Tuesday, September 27:
Head to sports bar Ventor at 8:30 p.m. for their Annual DC Beer Week Trivia. Narragasett Brewing Company will pour different beers and offer new samples from their Lovecraft series of beers.
Also head to DBGB Kitchen + Bar for a beer cocktail competition, with contenders like Flying Dog to Ommegang, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get $30 tickets here, with a portion of sales going to Capital Area Food Bank.
Wednesday, September 28:
At the Brewery Royale event at Roofers Union, a $10 donation at the door gets guests a sampling from six local breweries. Each one will rep a different charity and compete in a "kick the keg" contest, where event proceeds will go to the charity whose keg is finished first.
Thursday, September 29:
It’s ladies’ night in Dupont. As a celebration of women in the industry, Pizzeria Paradiso will tap beers from various breweries that have a female head brewer or a woman in a leadership role. Drafts include Denizens Lowest Lord and Grimm Super Spruce. From 5 p.m. to close.
Brookland's Finest will host a collaboration dinner with Devil's Backbone with a three-course prix fixe menu featuring salmon rillettes paired with Berliner Weiss Sour Ale; prime rib with horseradish mashed potatoes complemented by Schwartz Bier German Style Black Lager; and an apple tart with Vienna Lager.
Friday, September 30:
Don’t ask questions, just come to the parking lot at CityCenterDC at 6 p.m., where Chef Mike Friedman (All-Purpose) will transport ticket goers on an all-inclusive experience. The $100 price tag includes everything: transit to the mystery event site, five-course meal, and beer pairings. Get tickets here.
Saturday, October 1:
In Silver Spring, Denizens Brewing Co. will rep Maryland by showcasing some of the best local and non-local wild and sour beers. General Admission tickets are $55 and include a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited sample pours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and live entertainment. VIP tickets are $70.
Or, wrap up the week (liver permitting) at Capitol City Brewing Company’s 17th annual Oktoberfest from noon to 7 p.m. at The Village at Shirlington. Go all out in German garb and enjoy the tastes of authentic Bavarian brews, bratwurst, and brezlen. More than 65 local breweries will set up taps. To get $30 tickets, head to the Oktoberfest 2016 website.