Raise your glasses, folks: Beer Week, which runs until Feb. 28, is upon us! There are dozens of fun events happening in the city that'll increase your appreciation for a good brew.
To cut through all the hype and ensure you're hitting the best spots, we have compiled the best events, based on recommendations from local beer experts.
► Night Of Brewpiphany / Brewpiphany Revelations
Where: KelSo Beer Company, 529 Waverly Ave., Clinton Hill
When: Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This event is a "clever collaboration between KelSo and homebrewers," said Chris O'Leary, beer writer and editor of Brew York. In early January, the beer company offered free wort — "pre-fermented liquid that becomes beer" — to home brewers to ferment into their own creations. The resulting creative concoctions will be presented for sampling on Feb. 23 along with an open bar of KelSo beer for all who purchase the $27.37 tickets.
"It's great to see a brewery reaching out to the homebrew community like this, and we all get to benefit!" O'Leary said.
► Ale Apothecary at Beer Street
Where: 413 Graham Ave., Williamsburg
When: Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5 p.m. to midnight
The famed Oregon brewery is distributing their draughts in New York City for the first time ever tonight for Beer Week. "A terrific Oregon brewer that does unique fermentations. It's never been distributed in NYC before," said Joshua M. Bernstein, beer journalist and author of "The Complete Beer Course."
►Murray's Cheese Bar Meets the Bruery
Where: Murray's Cheese Bar, 264 Bleecker St., West Village
When: Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.
The Bruery is coming to Murray's Cheese Bar for a night of beer and wine. Clients can come through and sample the cheeses and bottles — many of which are not typically available in New York City — à la carte style at this open event.
Where: Sanders Studio, 525 Waverly Ave., Clinton Hill
When: Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
"One of the favorites is always Brewer’s Choice," Katherine Kyle, manager of the longstanding Blind Tiger Ale House. Brewer's Choice is a flagship Beer Week event that draws many different breweries within and outside of New York City. The big draw is that the brewers themselves or their top employees are the ones pouring the drinks. "You’ll talk to the people who care the most, who know the most, and who can talk the most about it," Kyle said.
► Hopped In New York: From Plant to Pint
Where: Strong Rope Brewery, 574A President St., Gowanus
When: Thursday, Feb. 25, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This event will help explain the revival of hops growing in New York after the industry was devastated by Prohibition and agricultural diseases, according to Cat Wolinski, freelance beer journalist. "Farmers from three different hop farms in New York State will be speaking of their experiences growing hop," she said. Tickets are $5 and include a tasting size beer.
Where: Alewife, 5-14 51st Ave., LIC
When: Friday, Feb. 26 from 4:20 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Beers from all four breweries in Long Island City will be featured at Alewife this Friday for in celebration of Beer Week. "It's amazing to see one neighborhood in the city develop an amazing beer scene," O'Leary said.
Where: Brouwerij Lane, 78 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint
When: Friday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.
"Brett is in reference to a yeast strain is called Brettanomyces," Wolinski said. "The strain is known for making beers a little funky." For the more adventurous, try out five beers tapped from Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. using this "funky" yeast strain. The beers will be paired with five cheeses provided by Eastern District.
► Winter's Grind at the Arrogant Swine
Where: The Arrogant Swine, 173 Morgan Ave., Williamsburg
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.
This second-annual event marries two great pleasures — beer and sausage — to satisfy your inner glutton. Joshua M. Bernstein and Chris Cuzme are pairing beers from the city's finest traditional and home brewers with hand-cranked sausages from BBQ joint Arrogant Swine. The event will feature drinks from city breweries such as Braven, Threes, Greenpoint Beer and Ale, Gun Hill, and many more. "[It's] a good way to warm up in this last bit of winter," Berstein said — especially with the large heated tent that will be provided.
► The Cask Fest and Award Gala
Where: Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St., Chelsea
When: Saturday, Feb. 27; Session 1: VIP noon to 4 p.m. and general admission 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Session 2: VIP 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and general admission 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
One of the largest events of Beer Week, this fest will feature more than 150 cask beers from New York State. Cask, Wolinski explained, means unfiltered and unpasteurized ale that is served from the cask without added carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Food from top NYC restaurants will be provided, which you can eat in the special brewer's lounge. There will also be a People's Choice Awards for Beer Week, including favorite bartender, beer, brewery, and more.
► Ignite Brooklyn Beer Community Celebration
Where: Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co., 7 N. 15th St., Greenpoint
When: Sunday, Feb. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This event will close out Beer Week and unite the diverse milieu of New York's beer-brewing folks. There will be "beers from some of the city's best home brew clubs and some of the city's best breweries," O'Leary said. "It's a great way to close out Beer Week by celebrating New York City's beer scene, from the beginners to the pros." Tickets are $31.74.
