Photo by Tom Cizauskas.

In preparation for D.C. Beer Week, we will be highlighting some exciting beers and events to attend every day throughout the week.

What: Uinta Night at Ella’s
Where: Ella’s, 901 F Street NW
When: Monday, August 15, 5 p.m.

What better way to rid yourself of that dreary case of the Mondays than with pizza and beer? Draft Magazine’s #1 brewery to watch out for in 2011 hails from Utah, a state often thought to be synonymous with sobriety. So it comes as a bit of a surprise that Uinta Brewing Company has so many lauded beers. Come try these award winners and talk to the reps who bring them into our city. See what’s the buzz, grab a slice or two, and end the worst day of the week on a high note.

What: Brewer’s Art Dinner
Where: Meridian Pint, 3400 11th Street NW
When: Monday, August 15, 7 p.m.

For those looking for a slightly more highbrow experience, Brewer’s Art of Baltimore and D.C.’s champions of the “drink local” movement Meridian Pint are pairing up to showcase Chefs David Shewmaker (Meridian Pint) and Dave Newman’s (Brewer’s Art) food with brewer Steve Frazier’s Belgian-inspired beers. Tickets were recently reduced to $50, including tax and gratuity. The five-course menu will highlight some of the best beers to come out of the Mid-Atlantic with plates that would hardly be considered “pub grub.” Why does this make the pick of the day? Because all five beers are fantastic and should not be missed. It is a bit difficult to get Brewer’s Art down here with any regularity and is a wonderful complement to the food that these two establishments serve.

Course pairings:
>> Tomato Consomme with Tomatoes, Summer Squash, Naturtiums and Herbs — Saison des Mystéres
>> Lobster and Cantaloupe Salad with Baby Mache and Lemon Verbena — Ozzy
>> Barbecued Duck Breast with Maryland Corn Pudding and Grilled Peaches — Canard
>> Crispy Proscuitto with Marscapone and a Warm Fig — Green Peppercorn Tripel
>> Raspberry Creme Brulee with Almond Biscotti — Resurrection