Via Shutterstock

Via Shutterstock

This week, D.C. is playing host to the Craft Brewers Conference, a trade show during which the nightly events are as alluring as the daily industry talk. All week, breweries from around the United States are invading the city and its bars to show off some of the out-of-market rarities that draw D.C. beer fans seldom get to sample. While there is no shortage of events this week from bar crawls, pairing dinners, tap takeovers, and themed events, the only downside to so much of the beer industry in town is that there is no way you can go to every event. The conference begins tonight with a ticketed party at the National Museum of Air and Space, but there are still plenty of rare beers available to the general public

Hop Kitchen with DCBeer.com: DCist’s beer writer, John Fleury, will be moderating a symposium at Smith Commons about that most critical component of craft beer: hops. Fleury and several professional and home brewers from the greater D.C. area will discuss hoppy beers, foods that pair with hoppy beers, and a whole host of local craft beers and home-brewing techniques to get maximum utility out of a wide variety of hops. There will, of course, be beer to enjoy while learning about beer.

The symposium includes:

  • J.T. Smith, Brewers Association of Maryland
  • Bill DeBaun and Chris Van Orden, DCBeer.com
  • Josh Hubner, Josh Perry, Bill Jusino, and Mike Tonsmeire, D.C. Homebrewers Club
  • Matty Gilliland and John Gartner, New Belgium Brewing
  • Chase Harrison, DrinkDC.com
  • Brian Strumke, Stillwater Artisanal Ales

At Smith Commons (1245 H Street NE); begins 7 p.m., free RSVP.

Flying Dog Smoking Gun: Four styles of Flying Dog beer are paired with four cigars from W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist in this indulgent, Clinton administration-themed showcase. Flying Dog, based in Frederick, is also taking over both floors of the scotch-tilting restaurant with nearly a dozen of its draughts.

Beer and cigar pairings:

  • The Oval Office: Gonzo Porter paired with Excalibur Prensado Oscuro Box Press
  • The Blue Dress: Raging Bitch paired with Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra
  • The Starr Report: Bloodline Blood Orange IPA paired with Hoyo Reposado en Cedros
  • Zippergate: UnderDog Atlantic Lager paired with a Hoyo de Tradicion

Additional draughts:

  • Flying Dog Horn Dog Barleywine
  • Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities Green Tea Imperial Stout
  • Flying Dog Wildeman Farmhouse IPA
  • Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities Pumpernickel IPA
  • Flying Dog Single Hop El Dorado Imperial IPA
  • Flying Dog Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout
  • Flying Dog Kujo Imperial Coffee Stout
  • Flying Dog Doggie Style American Pale Ale
  • Flying Dog Woody Creek Witbier
  • Allagash FV13
  • Allagash Midnight Brett
  • Allagash Yakuza
  • New Belgium Lips of Faith Tart Lychee
  • Mother Earth Silent Night
  • Nebraska Hop God
  • Alltech Lexington Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale

At Jack Rose Dining Saloon (2007 18th Street NW); begins 10 p.m.

Filed Under: beer, craft brewers conference, flying dog, smith commons,