WASHINGTON – The craft beer craze seems to be everywhere these days, and D.C. is at the center of the growing trend with dozens of bars and local breweries offering artisanal creations.
Because the national Craft Beer Conference is being held in the nation’s capital, many of those establishments are hosting special events throughout the week.
The folks at Smith Commons on H Street in Northeast are celebrating the conference with four days of music, beer and food during their Masters of the Craft Beer Universe series. Local and regional brewers will team up with beer experts and journalists to discuss the best in craft beers. Don’t miss the brews, live DJs and food pairings. All events will be held between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. To RSVP, click here.
ChurchKey is also hosting events all week. Wednesday marks the debut of Bluejacket’s latest collaboration with Chicago breweries Three Floyd’s Revolution and Half Acre. There will also be 10 breweries from North Carolina showcasing their local favorites such as Olde Hickory Brewery, Foothills Brewing, Catawba Valley Brewing Company and Fullsteam Brewery.
On Thursday, taste California beers starting at 4 p.m. And don’t forget about the 25 drafts and casks that will be on tap Friday. Check ChurchKey’s website for a full list of events.
Other events throughout the city:
Wednesday
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery presents The Feelies at the 9:30 Club. Rock out to live music while enjoying craft beers on tap, including 60 Minute IPA, Aprihop, Rhizing Bines, 90 Minute IPA and Midas Touch. Tickets are $20. Show starts at 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
- Farmers Fishers Bakers is hosting a special beer release party for 21st Amendment and Crux Fermentation Project from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Meet representatives from each brewery and taste test their new creations. Pay as you drink. For more information, click here.
- Love beer and Michael Jackson? No, not that Michael Jackson. We’re talking about Jackson the beer hunter, a beer and whiskey journalist who died in 2007. RFD is honoring the late writer with a special screening of “Beer Hunter,” a documentary about his lifelong search for the perfect brew. Check out rare video clips and outtakes while sipping on national and regional beers. The screening starts at 8 p.m., and proceeds from the event and silent auction will benefit Parkison’s research and the Michael Jackson Scholarship Fund. Click here for information.
- Scion Restaurant and Crios Modern Mexican will host nine national breweries for “A Night of Extraordinary Ales.” Participating breweries include Falling Sky, Foothills, Fullsteam, Funkwerks, Gigantic, Haymarket, Oakshire, Odell and Two Brothers. Tastings start at 5 p.m. and tickets are not needed. For a full list of beers, check out Scion’s website.
Thursday
- Blue Mountain Barrel House will take over Crios Modern Mexican. Beers from the Virginia brewery will be $4 all night. No reservations are required.
- Victory Brewing and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will offer a night of art and beer at the District Architecture Center. “Amber Waves” is open to the public from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy food and brews from more than 20 breweries. Click here for more.
- Interested in local beer? Hop on the DC Craft Beer Bus Tour, which will feature stops at the city’s finest beer establishments. The tour will be led by brewery owners and staff from 21st Amendment, Elysian, Ninkasi, No-Li and Uinta Breweries, and will include a gift bag and food options.
Friday
- Scion Restaurant will host Oskar Blues Brewery founder Dale Katechis, and will offer 11 different drafts. Tickets are not required. Beers are half price until $7. Casks are $4 all night.
- Epic Brewing takes over Jack Rose in Adams Morgan. Twenty beers will be on tap at the Craft Brewers Conference closing ceremony.
Follow @WTOPLiving on Twitter.
