Both in musings over a pint and in discussions across barstools, I’ve often joked about how 2011 is the year of collaboration beers. Across the brewing world, these meldings of minds and palates are often darlings of the beer list with chefs, brewers, and beer directors combining their ideas to create something new and special for the craft community.

Locally, we have seen Sam Fitz of Meridian Pint work with Oliver Breweries, and Churchkey’s Greg Engert, Pizza Paradiso’s Greg Jasgur and Fitz work with Schafly to brew a beer with a message. Dogfish Head even joined with Sam Adams to brew a beer specifically for D.C.’s Savor.

You might have missed getting tickets to Savor, which sold out in a matter of minutes, but bars all over the city still have some tricks up their sleeve for Savor Beer Week. Perhaps one of the most exciting offerings will be from the next D.C.-based brewer to unleash their beer onto the city, 3 Stars. Even though they don’t plan on being in production until late fall, the brewers have paired up with Delaware’s Evolution Craft Brewing to release the first 3 Stars beer, Syndicate Saison, at various D.C. bars at the end of May.

Syndicate Saison is a saison spiced with peppercorns, and comes in at around 6 percent ABV. 3 Stars co-founder and Big Hunt beer director Dave Coleman is very excited about Syndicate and tells DCist that he thinks it will be a great beer for Washington’s typical June weather.

A relatively new brewer to the D.C. market, two-year-old Evolution’s lineup is solid and should be sought out. Their Rise Up Stout is a beautifully done cold-steeped Jamaican-style stout and a personal favorite of mine. The Syndicate will be available at a few places during Savor Beer Week and will certainly be on tap when Evolution does a tap takeover of the Big Hunt on June 4.