Photo by Jon Grant
Beer enthusiasts are in for a big treat, as the 2017 Craft Brewers Conference returns to D.C. from April 10-13. While the official conference and exhibition are closed to the public, the city’s best beer bars and restaurants are pulling out the stops for their industry peers. And Washington’s lenient alcohol import regulations mean that brewers will have some exciting products in tow when they arrive in town.
It’s impossible to list every event happening in conjunction with the conference, so here is a guide with picks for the week. You can also visit DCBeer.com for a bigger-picture look of where to get your beer fix.
Sunday
Pizzeria Paradiso
(2003 P St. NW)
The pizzeria is kicking off the week with a “Fresh to Death” tap takeover Sunday, with beer from 11 local different breweries that have each been kegged within the last week. Options include Manor Hill’s Bizarre Universe and Madfox Brewery’s Yeastie Boyz New England Style IPA.
Monday
DBGB
(931 H St. NW)
The upscale French bistro welcomes the CBC with flights all day Monday from Missouri’s Boulevard Brewing as well as Ommegang in New York. The deal with be available in the bar and dining room and will cost $12 for a three-beer flight or $20 for a six-beer flight.
Hazel
(808 V St. NW)
After the CBC opening festivities are over, Hazel will host an after party for brewers featuring eight picks from California’s Firestone Walker brewery. The tap takeover starts at 9 p.m. and will include some rare finds such as kegs of Tequila Merkin stout and Sour Opal.
Denizens Brewing Co.
1115 East-West Highway, Silver Spring
Get to Denizens on Monday for a celebration of all things Maryland beer. The brewery’s “Made in Maryland” day will have happy hour specials beginning at noon along with appearances with The Brewer’s Art, Calvert Brewing Company, Jailbreak Brewing Company, and others.
Tuesday
Eat Bar
(415 8th St. SE)
Music and beer come together at Eat Bar on Barrack’s Row starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Members of Stone Brewing Company will be on hand with 10 of their beers on tap. Better yet, they’ll buy a beer for anyone who stumps them with a song pick from Eat Bar’s diverse jukebox. So come ready to use your obscure musical taste to good use.
Anxo Cidery
(300 Florida Ave. NW)
Anxo Cidery will ditch the apples and embrace beer on Tuesday with an exhibition of a dozen wild ales from Asheville, North Carolina. Come to taste offerings from Hi-Wire Brewing, Wicked Weed, and Burial Beer. Get all the details at Anxo’s website.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
(2007 18th St. NW)
Jack Rose is hosting DC Brau on Tuesday as the brewery celebrates its 6th anniversary. DC Brau will be debuting six collaboration brews, including a Belgian farmhouse IPA with Baltimore’s Union Craft Brewing, an imperial pilsner brewed with Wyoming’s Melvin Brewing, and Rally Cry session IPA, made together with Atlas Brew Works and REI. The fun starts at 5 p.m.
Wednesday
Brookland Pint
(716 Monroe St., NE)
Pucker up on Wednesday with Brookland Pint’s CBC sours showcase beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a slew of barrel-aged wild ales from Cascade, Wicked Weed, Bullfrog, and Almanac brewers. Some particular reasons to head there are a rare keg of Bullfrog’s Le Roar Grrz American wild ale and Almanac grand cru white blonde sour.
Thursday
Bluejacket
(300 Tingey St. SE)
Bluejacket has a full docket of events planned for the week, including a series of meet and greets. Join them on Thursday, April 13 at 4 p.m. for a chance to speak with Michael Kiser and his team from the Good Beer Hunting podcast and travel site.
Meridian Pint
(3400 11th St. NW)
Hop lovers should mark down Thursday’s IPA festival at Meridian Pint, which will feature 60 IPAs from 30 breweries. It starts at 2 p.m. and is the brewpub’s main event for the conference. Tasting tickets will be on sale from Monday through Thursday. View the entire list of brews online.
Smoke & Barrel
(2471 18th St. NW)
Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly love, is one of the great beer cities on the East Coast. Smoke & Barrel is pairing its barbecue with some of Philly’s best suds on Thursday evening, from the likes of 2SP, Free Will, Forest and Main, and Levante.
3 Stars Brewing
(6400 Chillum Pl. NW)
Like many others, 3 Stars Brewing is using the conference as an excuse to collaborate with industry peers and pour some excellent out-of-market beers. The brewery is throwing its “The Gang’s All Here” party on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring beer, food from Dirty South Deli and Fed City Bros., live music, and giveaways. Tickets are $15 (they include entry, a custom glass, and your first beer) and are expected to sell quickly.
