The Savor craft beer festival is only one of many beer-centric events in the Washington area this weekend. (SAVOR)
Friday, June 3
3-Stars Pre-Savor Party at Meridian Pint
The big local beer news this week is the arrival of Syndicate Saison, the first beer from D.C.’s own 3 Stars Brewing Company. 3 Stars signed a lease on brewery space in Brightwood this week; in the meantime, they collaborated with Delmar, Del.’s Evolution Brewing Company to produce the Syndicate. It’s a well-made example of the style with a bright lemony flavor and a nice punch of peppery spice, and is very refreshing in warm weather. Brewery co-founders Mike McCarthy and Dave Coleman -- who you may recognize as the beer manager and bartender from the Big Hunt -- are hosting a tapping party at Meridian Pint from 5 to 7, making it a nice pre-Savor happy hour.
HopSlam and Then Some: Bell’s Brewery Draft and Cask Night at Rustico
Bell’s Brewery makes some of the best -- and most sought-after -- beers in the America. Brewer John Mallett is bringing 12 drafts, including the rare HopSlam, Batch 10,000 and Oatmeal Stout, to Alexandria’s Rustico for a special meet-the-brewer event. The party starts at 4 — get there early, because these beers are going to go fast. (What are the odds on Hopslam being gone in less than 20 minutes?)
Alaskan Brewing Company Dinner at Jack Rose
One of the joys of Savor is sampling beers from the other side of the country that never make it to Washington. Case in point: I have tasted beers from Juneau’s award-winning Alaskan Brewing Company exactly twice in my life. The first time was at a little bar in Cody, Wyo., during a cross-country road trip. The second was during last year’s Savor. Try five Alaskan beers — including the outstanding Smoked Porter — at tastings hosted by Alaskan founder Geoff Larson at Jack Rose, the much-buzzed-about Adams Morgan bar that isn’t officially opening until next week. The brews will be paired with game cooked on the rooftop barbecue pit, including wild Copper River Salmon from Alaska. Spaces are available at both the 6 and 8 p.m. seatings, and all-inclusive tickets are $50. E-mail BKruglak@JackRoseDiningSaloon.com to save a spot.
Beermuda Triangle at the Black Squirrel
The Black Squirrel is serving as a home away from home for the Lagunitas, New Holland, Oskar Blues and Firestone Walker breweries this week. Beers from all four will be featured on draft all weekend long, and the brewers and their staffs will host after-parties following Savor on Friday and Saturday. There’s no cover or required RSVP -- just drop in and hang out.
Saturday, June 4
Allagash/New Belgium Vrienden Brunch at Pizzeria Paradiso
Earlier this year, Allagash and New Belgium teamed up to create Vrienden, a tart, funky Belgian-style wild ale. That beer is being celebrated at a brunch at the Pizzeria Paradiso in Dupont that finds the Maine and Colorado brewers bringing some of their coolest, funkiest beers, including Allagash Avancé, a strong Belgian ale aged in bourbon barrels for three years (with some strawberries added to the barrels for extra flavor), and New Belgium’s Super Cru, which is basically Fat Tire on steroids (with extra hop and malt) and brewed with fresh pair. Six beers will be served with four courses, including a summery pizza topped with ricotta and goat cheeses, roasted summer squash, dandelion greens and pine nuts. The fun begins at noon. All-inclusive tickets are $60; make reservations by e-mailing events@eatyourpizza.com.
Cigar City Brewing Saturday Matinee at ChurchKey
Tampa’s Cigar City is another brewery whose tasty, eclectic offerings rarely make it to D.C. (Their English-style ales are especially awesome.) ChurchKey welcomes Cigar City founder Joey Redner for a mid-afternoon meet-and-greet event that will feature a number of Cigar City beers on draft from 3 p.m. on. There’s no cover charge — you just pay for what you drink.
Afternoon Meet & Greet With Cool Craft Brewers at Rustico
From noon to 5, brewers from the Bruery, Smuttynose, Firestone Walker, Unita and Schlafly will be holding court at the Ballston branch of Rustico at a gathering organized by GreatBrewers.com. Sample some great beers and chat with the men who made them: The bar will be pouring six beers from the Bruery, four from Smuttynose (including two cask ales), eight from Firestone Walker (including another cask), a half-dozen from Unita and seven from Schlafly. The very impressive list of beers is posted on GreatBrewers.com. (Friendly advice: All beers will be sold in half-servings, and you’ll want to take advantage of this in order to try a wider variety.)
Evolution Tap Takeover at the Big Hunt
Delaware’s Evolution Brewing Company has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two years, and its beers have begun showing up at local beer bars on a regular basis. (Keep an eye out for the hoppy Lot 6 Double IPA and the rich Rise Up Stout, which made the final four of the Post’s Beer Madness earlier this year.) A dozen Evolution beers will be featured on tap and on cask from 5:30 on, including the brand-new Summer Session and the very funky Menagerie 5. It’s well worth a visit, and don’t forget to stop in to Evolution’s tap room the next time you’re on the way to the beach.
Sunday, June 5
All ‘Ale the Ladies at the Black Squirrel
It’s no secret that the brewing industry is a very guy-heavy field. Last year, Washington City Paper beer columnist Tammy Tuck hosted a female-centric networking/socializing/drinking event called All ‘Ale the Ladies, and it was so successful that it’s back for a second go-round. This year’s gathering, which begins at 8 p.m., features women from across the spectrum of the brewing world. Guests include Julia Hertz, who runs the Craft Beer Program for the Brewers Association; Baying Hound Aleworks brewer Lindsey Miller; Hops Grill and Brewery brewer Kristi Mathews Griner; Great Lakes Brewing Company marketing assistant Lauren Boveington; and Women Enjoying Beer founder Ginger Johnson. RSVPs are encouraged. Visit the City Paper Web site to sign up. (While the majority of the attendees were women, men are welcome to attend. Last year, it seemed like most were tagging along with wives or girlfriends.)
