Seventy-six breweries from across the United States will have their beers flowing at the Savor craft beer festival, June 3-4 at the National Building Museum. But it feels as if at least that many out-of-town brewers are being featured at Washington bars in the days leading up to Savor's showcase tastings. Here are the important beer events you should have on your calendar.
Monday, May 30
Smoke and Barrel in Adams Morgan opens its doors at noon for its fourth annual Savor week pig roast. Pair your choice of hog parts with beers from Firestone Walker, Victory, Boulevard and Ommegang.
2471 18th St. NW. smokeandbarreldc.com.
Tuesday, May 31
When people talk about "out of market beers," they're referring to beers that aren't usually sold in this part of the country. But "out of market" doesn't have to refer to ales from Wyoming or Texas: There are a number of breweries in the Old Dominion that don't send kegs or bottles to Washington. Try some at Meridian Pint, including beers from Aslin (Herndon), Redbeard (Staunton), Triple Crossing (Richmond) and the Answer Brewpub (Richmond), plus limited-release beers from Ocelot (Dulles).
3400 11th St. NW. meridianpint.com.
It's Taco Tuesday, and there are two beer-and-taco pairings taking place in Adams Morgan. At Jack Rose, Minnesota's acclaimed Surly is bringing 10 rare and barrel-aged beers, while Pennsylvania's Victory will also have 10 on draft. The rooftop grill menu includes tacos inspired by both states.
2007 18th St. NW. jackrosediningsaloon.com.
At Smoke and Barrel, you'll get three tacos and a side for $8, paired with beers from Michigan's Founders, including Kentucky Breakfast Stout, aged versions of Backwoods Bastard and PC Pils, which is only served at Founders' Michigan brewery.
2471 18th St. NW. smokeandbarreldc.com.
Wednesday, June 1
The original City Tap House is in Philadelphia, so it makes sense that D.C.'s City Tap House would host a showcase of beers from the Keystone State. The bar's 40 taps will be pouring Troegs, Victory and a number of smaller brewers not usually found here, including Fat Head's, Pizza Boy, Iron Hill, Selin's Grove and Forest Main.
901 Ninth St. NW. citytaphousedc.com.
Thursday, June 2
The breweries of the South take over the taps at ChurchKey, and you'll get some of the best beers the region has to offer: Funky brews from Wicked Weed, barrel-aged goodness from Country Boy, wild and double dry-hopped ales by Great Raft and earthy saisons from Fonta Flora, among others.
1337 14th St. NW. churchkeydc.com.
Tomme Arthur is an elder statesman in the brewing world, winner of numerous gold medals in national and international competitions for his Belgian-style beers at Lost Abbey and Pizza Port in San Diego County. Arthur is in town for Savor and will host a tasting of 20 beers from those breweries and others, including a new project called the Hop Concept, at the Sovereign. Doors open at 6 p.m.
1206 Wisconsin Ave. NW. thesovereigndc.com.
Aging beer in wood is trendy, but it also can be complicated. At Pizzeria Paradiso's Fun With Foeders event, guests will try a dozen beers aged in the traditional wooden barrels, including selections from Perennial, New Belgium, Allagash, Right Proper and Bavik. Brewers Nathan Zeender of Right Proper and Phil Wymore of Perennial will talk about the process of using foeders with Paradiso beer director Josh Fernands. Tickets are $42 in advance and the event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at the pizzeria's Georgetown location.
3282 M St. NW. eatyourpizza.com.
Friday, June 3
Maine is home to some of the greatest breweries in America. For one night, ChurchKey hands all 50 taps over to the Pine Tree State. Some of the breweries should be familiar to beer drinkers: Allagash, Oxbow, Maine Beer Company (whose 2016 Beer Madness champion, Another One, will be on tap). But there six other smaller, harder-to-find beers at ChurchKey, including Tributary, Rising Tide and Foundation. Plan to order lots of flights.
1337 14th St. NW. churchkeydc.com.
Saturday, June 4
Craft Beer has come a long way since the 1980s. City Tap House's Four Decades of Craft event honors one brewery for each of the last four decades: Deschutes (opened in 1988), Dogfish Head (opened in 1995), Lost Abbey (opened in 2006) and Wicked Weed (opened in 2012). There will be a selection of beers from each brewery on tap, and Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione will be on hand to sign books and talk about his brewery's growth. This event starts at 11 a.m. and runs all day, making it perfect for a post-Savor brunch or a pre-Savor happy hour.
901 Ninth St. NW. citytaphousedc.com.
Savor Afterparties
Savor ends at 11 p.m. each night, which always feels too early. Thankfully, some breweries sponsor late-night afterparties that are a short walk or easy cab ride from the museum. (All are open to everyone, whether you attended Savor that night or not.)
On Friday, Allagash, 21st Amendment and Uinta are taking over Lost and Found in Blagden Alley, while City Tap House hosts a late-night brunch, paired with Terrapin Wake-n-Bake, Evil Twin Imperial Donut Break and other "breakfast" beers.
Lost and Found: 1240 Ninth St. NW. lostandfounddc.com.
City Tap House: 901 Ninth St. NW. citytaphousedc.com.
Saturday is more of a locals' night, with two events in Chinatown. Flying Dog's appropriately named "The Unnecessary Drinks" brings a selection of brewhouse rarities to Jackpot, while DC Brau, Port City and special guests Melvin Brewing of Wyoming tap a selection of their beers - including the debut of a new barrel-aged Port City wit - at Bar Deco.
Jackpot: 726 Seventh St. NW. jackpotdc.com.
Bar Deco: 717 Sixth St. NW. bardecodc.com.