Where to Imbibe During DC Beer Week

D.C. Beer Week — the annual opportunity for local brewers to showcase their newest creations — is in full swing.

The eight-day festival, which kicked off on Sunday, August 19, celebrates all things fermented in the region and beyond, via rare craft beer tastings, educational seminars, a bevy of events, and happy hours.

Here’s a roundup of where 21-and-up drinkers can head to celebrate 2018 DC Beer Week (listed by day). This list will be updated as necessary:

Monday, August 20

The Sovereign

1206 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Try 10 beers from Richmond, Va.’s The Veil Brewing Co., including a trio of mixed fermentation farmhouse ales from The Veil’s barrel aging program. Headlining the list is the only keg of Brenner Pass: Grand Cru ever served outside of The Veil or Richmond restaurant Brenner Pass. It’s a farmhouse-inspired ale brewed with French Saison yeast and aged in freshly dumped French oak barrels. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Tuesday, August 21

D.C. Tap Takeover at ChurchKey and Beers Pairing at Birch & Barley

1337 14th Street NW

From 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., ChurchKey will devote all 55 of its draft and cask lines to beers brewed in D.C. — marking the fourth time it’s donated every tap to D.C. breweries. Beers hail from 3 Stars, Atlas, Bluejacket, DC Brau, Hellbender, District Chophouse, and Right Proper. Downstairs at sister bar Birch & Barley, there’s a five-course tasting menu from chef Garret Fleming paired with D.C. beers, during dinner service from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22

DBGB’s Booze Brews Competition

931 H Street NW

Five local bartenders (like Christian Johnston from RPM Italian and Joseph Garcia from Alta Strada, among others) will work with five local breweries to create competing beer cocktails. Attendees can pop passed appetizers while sipping on contenders and vote for their favorite, which will automatically enter them into a raffle for various prizes. The winning drink will be featured on DBGB’s drink menu for the fall. A portion of each $40 ticket goes to Capital Area Food Bank. 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

City Tap Penn Quarter and City Tap Dupont

901 9th Street NW / 1250 Connecticut Avenue NW

Try an exclusive beer collab with City Tap and DC Brau called A Priest and a Rabbi Walk Into a Bar — an American pale ale brewed with Hallertau and Mosaic hops, available for $6.50 a pint until the kegs kick at each location. And during the duration of Beer Week, Ivy City’s Atlas Brew Works will run a satellite tap room at the Penn Quarter location with 12 Atlas beers on City Tap’s draft lines, including the official 2018 DC Beer WeekSolidarity beer.

The Partisan

709 D Street NW

A dozen beers from Herndon, Va.’s Aslin Beer Company will be poured at the Penn Quarter bar. Beers include 50/50 Bar, a popsicle-inspired IPA brewed with passion fruit, pink guava, and vanilla, and Cocoa Mapalm, an Imperial Stout finished with cocoa nibs, maple syrup, and vanilla. Beers are priced individually by the glass and in 4-oz. tasting pours.

Thunderdome: An Arcade Game Triathalon at The Eleanor

100 Florida Avenue NE

Members from DC Brau and Jameson Caskmates are teaming up to compete against guests in rounds of Duckpin Bowling, Skeeball, and Pacman at the new NoMa adult arcade bar. Winners at each station can spin a prize wheel for free drinks and swag, leading up to a final round of Mortal Kombat, with the ultimate winner getting their name plastered on the Thunderdome Champion trophy. Drink specials, including Space Reaper and Your Pet Cow, will be available all night. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Draft Line Competition at Dacha Beer Garden

1600 7th Street NW

Three contending brews and their brewery representatives will vie for the public’s vote on the next beer that will appear on Dacha’s seasonal draft line. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, August 23

DC Beer Royale at Roofers Union

2446 18th Street NW

Some of D.C.’s top breweries will congregate at the Adams Morgan bar to duke it out while raising money for charity. Kegs will be provided by 3 Stars, Atlas, Bluejacket, DC Brau, Hellbender, and Right Proper, with the voted favorite getting a $500 donation from Roofers Union to the brewery’s charity of choice, along with proceeds from donations at the door. Starting at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, August 24

Kelsey & Greg’s Wedding Ale Release Party at Bluejacket

300 Tingey Street SE

Neighborhood Restaurant Group beer director Greg Engert is celebrating his nuptials with a new can of Kelsey and Greg’s Wedding Ale 2018, a Sour Blond Ale with peaches. Another new can released at the party is Caribou, a peanut butter cup-infused Sweet Stout. Also expect five brews flowing from its vintage cellar, including kegs of Blue Monday 2015, and Red Apron Butcher will host a pop-up on the outdoor patio slinging sausages and burgers from chef Nate Anda. A live wedding band will play all night. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, August 25

Beer Floats with Ruby Scoops at Pizzeria Paradiso

3282 M Street NW

The Georgetown pizza parlor will serve beer floats featuring DC Brau’s Space Reaper and Ruby Scoops ice cream. There’s also a flight of all four floats with beers from DC Brau, Atlas Brew Works, Right Proper, and 3 Stars Brewing Co. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

5th Annual Brewers on the Block at Union Market

1309 5th Street NE

Buffalo & Bergen and Suburbia are hosting the Northeast block party with 35 local and visiting breweries, meaderies, and cideries. Each $55 ticket includes unlimited tastings from more than 35 breweries, a souvenir tasting glass, live music, and access to Union Market vendors. VIP tickets include early entry and food from chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Brunch Bites and Flights

3126 12th Street NE

Brookland’s Finest is offering a three-course menu of brunch treats paired with DC Brau brews for $35. DC Brau’s new Gose, for instance, comes alongside chef Shannan Troncoso’s jam stuffed beignets. Its usual brunch menu will also be available. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, August 26

Record Fair at Right Proper

920 Girard Street NE

Guests can browse through records sourced from regional music vendors while drinking beer at Right Proper’s production facility. There’s also a tie dye T-shirt station, live music, and treats from Nomad Dumplings. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.