Philly Beer Week, the annual homage to all things beer, pops off May 31.
There are over 2,000 events scheduled throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region, courtesy of over 70 breweries and cideries, in addition to a host of signature scheduled events from Philly Loves Beer. We sifted through the lot and created this small sampling as the events beer lovers, enthusiasts and aficionados of all types most certainly need to have on their calendar.
FRIDAY, MAY 31
HOG Relay
Hop on the magic school bus of Philly Loves Beer in the Great Northeast and follow the Hammer of Glory all the way down to South Philly. This stops at tons of bars along the way, of course. There will be plenty of activities throughout the trip, like the Standard Tap Drag Race, where drag kings and queens will literally rip through Northern Liberties as they race to the finish line at Yards Brewing. | 9:30am. Prices vary. Hop Angel Brauhaus, 7980 Oxford Ave. universe.com
Ladies Night Pink Boots Fundraiser
Try some brews made in collaboration with Pink Boots Society and local breweries while raising some dough for the organization. Catch the Hammer of Glory during the afternoon, then stick around for the Opening Tap after party at night. Don’t miss the chance to meet some of the brew-tiful ladies of the beer scene. | Noon. Free. Devil’s Den, 1148 S. 11th St. facebook.com
Opening Tap
The can’t-miss annual kickoff event of Philly Beer Week. This year’s will be inside a new venue with even more beers on tap — over 65, if we’re being exact. Take the first sip of Duveldelphia, the official brew of Philly Beer Week and the new collaboration brew between La Cabra Brewing and Belgium-based Duvel Moortgat. Hear tunes from Fava Le Chic, who will be performing live, followed by live band karaoke. This is the perfect kind of event sure to get you hype for the weeklong celebration of beer. | 6:30pm. $46. 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St. 2300arena.com
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
A Beer Week Street Carnival
Take a break from the walls of a stuffy bar and get outside for this quintessential street fest. Enjoy local brews as you play some carnival games and enjoy what we hope will be another great weekend weather-wise. There’s something for everyone at this one — beer drinker or not — to try out. | Noon. Free. Devil’s Den, 1148 S. 11th St. facebook.com
Ancient Alcohol
Ever wonder how our ancestors turned up? Get schooled on all the drinks they turned to when it was time to unwind. This is your chance to check out some of the world’s oldest wine jars and try some ancient liquor that’s been chemically recreated by an archaeologist. | 3pm. $25. Penn Museum, 3260 South St. penn.museum
Late Night DJ Battle with Half Acre
A good ‘ol battle of whose beats are most sweet between DJ Glyde and J The AudioPhile. But we know you’re more concerned with the beer lineup, so how’s this: Galactic Double Daisy Cutter, Beachweed, Bodem and Pony Pils are all going to be on tap for this show. Clearly, we’re all in for a party at this one, so just prepare for lots of beer and bass. | 10pm. Free. Lucky’s Last Chance, 848 S. 2nd St. facebook.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
Beer and Yoga
You wouldn’t readily think these two would go together, but I guess we’ll be proven wrong. Bring your own yoga mat, but not your own booze as beer will be flowing during a private tasting following the session. Bottoms will be up, and we don’t just mean your drinks. | 10:15 am. $25. Perkasie Taproom, 410 E. Walnut St. freewillbrewing.com
Puppy Pageant
Unleash the pageant parent inside of you and pressure your dog into this competition. Dress them up in their finest digs for a chance to win some dope prizes. All that matters, though, is that part of your money spent on beer will be given to the Morris Animal Refuge. See? You’re exploiting your furry child for a good cause. | Noon. Free. Devil’s Den, 1148 S. 11th St. facebook.com
Late Night Brunch
Who doesn’t love brunch for dinner? This may even be your first meal of the day, but we’re not judging. Fill up on some good food and, of course, throw back a few delicious brews. | 8pm. Prices vary. Lucky’s Last Chance Manayunk, 4421 Main St. phillylovesbeer.org
MONDAY, JUNE 3
Pro Tap Beer-Cocktail Competition
Witness a fierce “Chopped”-style beer competition. Four Philly bartenders will battle it out to create the best beer cocktail from a trio of random ingredients. Attendees will place their votes at the end of each round to decide who stays in the game. Voting rights and free samples of the cocktails? Why wouldn’t you want to go to this? | 2pm. $30. Prohibition Taproom, 501 N. 13th St. phillylovesbeer.org
Doughnuts & Beer
Bet you can’t name a better duo. Your ticket gets you a flight of Terrapin beers and a Beiler’s doughnut. Reserve your spot now and savor one of the sweetest events of the week. | 6:30pm. $21. Lucky’s Last Chance, 848 S. 2nd St. upcomingevents.com
Chemowarrior Fundraiser
Tip your bartender and do your part to help this organization fight pediatric cancer. A variety of brews from Founders Brewing will be on tap at this charitable Beer Week event. Probably the one event where the more you drink, the more generous you’ll feel. | 6pm. Prices vary. Varga Bar, 941 Spruce St. phillybeerweek.org
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
Tattoosday Happy Hour
There are simply no rules to this savage pour contest. Brewers from four different breweries will compete for their beer to get a spot at the bar. Loser has to get a tattoo. Pretty safe to call this one a high-stakes competition. | 5pm. Free. Lucky’s Last Chance, 848 S. 2nd St. facebook.com
Art on Beer
Drop in on this discussion of the art on beer labels. Artists who have worked with member breweries will be on-hand to share their experiences. We’ve all bought beer before because of how cool the label looks. This event will prove just how important art is in the brewing business. | 7pm. $15. Warehouse on Watts, 923 N. Watts St. universe.com
Jersey Attitude
Get Jerseylicious at this night dedicated to beer and tomatoes. It’s all to push the ongoing campaign from Flying Fish Brewery for New Jersey to adopt“Eetahtimatah!” as the new slogan. If you have any better (and possibly less corny) slogan ideas, feel free to pitch them, just make sure you get your gym, tan and laundry done before you head out to this one. | 7pm. Free. The Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave. facebook.com
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
Bad Dad Joke Face Off
You can finally put your extensive bad joke repertoire to good use. In this competition, you have to look at your competitor in the eye and joke back and forth. The first to laugh loses. | 7pm. Free. Devil’s Den, 1148 S. 11th St. facebook.com
Funk Shop Special Edition
This artist showcase goes down a couple times a year, but this one’s different. Local art from Birdwatcher Studio will be on display, and there will be a DJ set with Dave Mass. Get down while sipping on a lineup of Neshaminy Creek beers. | 8:30pm. Free. Lucky’s Last Chance, 848 S. 2nd St. facebook.com
Meet the Goats
Come say hello to the spokes goats of Sly Fox Brewing Company at this night of delicious beer and adorable animals. We don’t think we need to try any harder to sell you on this. | 8pm. Free. BAR, 1309 Sansom St. phillylovesbeer.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 6
Kick the Cans!
Get an exclusive taste of some canned beers that will only be carried in limited supply. Try them all and decide which ones will get “kicked.” You probably won’t see many of these beers anywhere else, so drink up. | 4pm. Free. Interstate Drafthouse, 1235 E. Palmer St. facebook.com
Local Love
Drop in on this happy hour and fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Three Phillies players will be hosting and making drinks for everyone. When’s the next time you can say you were served a cold one by Rhys Hoskins? | 4pm. $20. Tradesman’s, 1322 Chestnut St. phillylovesbeer.org
Ben Franklin Mob Hash House Harriers Run
The Philly Hash House Harriers are a “drinking club with a running problem.” Join in a group run with beer pit stops being made along the way. Take it seriously and work off your beer belly, or take it slow and drink even more. | 7:30 pm. $10. Love City Brewing, 1023 Hamilton St. phillylovesbeer.org
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
Front Stoop Lounging
Hang out front with some brewers at this super Philly event. Just bring a chair and be ready to enjoy some great beer. It’s an “anti-event” beer event, so it’s perfect for those looking to stay lowkey this week. | 7pm. Free. The Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave. facebook.com
Barrel Aged Extravaganza
Come to this celebration of barrel aging and try a variety of oaky brews. This bar’s very own nine-month aged house brew will be featured. Think of it as a beer event with some character. | 4pm. Free. Twisted Tail, 509 S. 2nd St. phillylovesbeer.org
Sly Fox Brewing Canwood Derby Invitational
Craft a car out of a beer can and race with it. Drink and talk trash as you fight against each other. This might get even rowdier than an Eagles game. | 5 pm. Free. Good Dog Bar, 224 S. 15th St. phillylovesbeer.org
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
The Ladies Beer Tea
This High Tea is for you lush ladies out there. Sip some beer and sample light bites as you chat with friends. This is a step up from spending the afternoon and evening hours inside a stuffy bar. | 2:30pm. $30. Belgian Cafe, 601 N. 21st St. thebelgiancafe.com
Luau BBQ
This event is running on island time. Hawaiian BBQ, tropical cocktails and fruit beers will be served up. Send off Philly Beer Week with an event as refreshing as ocean air. | 2 pm. Free. Uptown Beer Garden, 1735 Market St. phillylovesbeer.org
Neshaminy Creek Seven Year Anniversary
How fitting of this brewery to celebrate its anniversary during Beer Week. Join them for a festival of music, beer and food to commemorate this successful Philly brewhouse. This might even be the only all-ages event of the week. | 1 pm. Free. Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, 909 Ray Ave. neshaminycreekbrewing.com
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
Kick the Kegs!
Basically, this bar bought too much beer and they need your help kicking the unused kegs. You’d be a fool to turn this one down. This is going on all day, so whether you’re a day or night drinker, your help is needed. | 11 am. Free. Interstate Draft House, 1235 E. Palmer St. phillylovesbeer.org
Suburban Love
We’ve been laser-focused on Philly breweries all week. Now it’s time to show some love to the suburbs. A bunch of breweries from outside the city will be pouring their brews for us to appreciate. Hang outside, eat some food and catch a buzz one last time this week. | 1 pm. Free. La Cabra Brewing, 642 Lancaster Ave. facebook.com
Get Milked: Queer Pride Festival & Dance Party
This celebration fittingly falls on the same day as the Philly Pride Fest. Brau Brewing Company’s “Pride Pils” will be released and all proceeds will go to LGBTQ organizations SMYAL and The Blade Foundation. Catch some drag shows and other live performances in a safe space. | 12 pm. Free. Milkboy, 1100 Chestnut St. facebook.com
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