(Photo © Brewers Association)
For beer enthusiasts in D.C., there are few better times than SAVOR Week to get some of the nation’s best breweries in town. Many of the breweries coming to showcase their brews do not actually distribute to the area, meaning we get to take advantage of their temporary entrance into the D.C. market.
Tickets to to the main tasting event on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 are $135 (plus fees), but that’s far from the only way to take advantage. With great events happening all week, there’s no shortage of opportunities to try some rarities from breweries all over the country, as well as some new deliciousness from our favorite locals. Here are some top picks that beer lovers should bookmark each day next week. As always, head over to DCBeer for a full calendar of all that is happening around the area.
Sunday
Smoke and Barrel
(2471 18th St. NW)
There’s hardly a better way to kick off a week-long celebration of food and beer than by roasting a whole hog and bringing some amazing breweries to pair with the pork. Beers will be on tap at 11 a.m., and the pig should be ready to serve around 5 p.m. The pork will be offered as a special platter in addition to the regular menu. Beer nerd favorites like Boulevard Saison-Brett, Firestone Walker Parabola, and Ommegang Brunetta will be available, as well as other favorites from those breweries.
Monday
City Tap House
(901 9th St. NW)
Third Annual Shuckfest promises a “shuckton” of raw fun. Oysters, po-boys, and mignonette made from Graft Cider are matched up with $5 beers from the best breweries out of New England. Live music, cornhole, chalk Twister, and giant Jenga will be on the patio for a solid Monday Funday option.
Tuesday
Roofers Union
(2446 18th St. NW)
It’s real simple: a bar with a rooftop patio and beers from 2 Roads Brewing Co, 4 Hands Brewery, and Ardent Craft Ales. All of this says a good time.
Wednesday
Red Apron Burger Bar
(1323 Connecticut Ave. NW)
A local spot with a focus on delicious burgers teams up with a local beer list that is a great showcase of what our neighboring breweries can do. The line-up includes hometown favorites as well as several limited beers that even the biggest of fans may not have had yet. Standouts include DC Brau Whiskey Barrel-Aged Alpha Domina Mellis, Hardywood Park Boysenberry Berliner Weiss, Port City Trifecta, Right Proper Spirits Rejoice, and Union Tiny Elvis.
Thursday
Pizzeria Paradiso Dupont Circle
(2003 P St. NW)
While IPAs and sour-styled beers are all the rage, Urban Farm Fermentory & Gruit Brewing are bringing some lesser known beverages that will expand on what people typically put in their glasses. Toasted Oak Kombucha, Dandelion Saison Gruit (an old style of beer utilizing herbs instead of hops to bitter), Dry Cidah, and a semi sweet Cyser (think mead and cider’s playful lovechild) will be available. You may never want an IPA again. Just kidding. We know you will.
Meridian Pint
(3400 11th St. NW)
Celebrate “Thirsty Thursday” with a Wu-Tang playlist to get the feet moving, Kung-Fu movies on the screens to balance your inner chi, and some killer beers from Melvin and Lord Hobo to drink up and enjoy. Protect ya pint!
Friday
Churchkey
(1337 14th St. NW)
If you’re not going to SAVOR on Friday, head over to Churchkey for a huge list of beers from Port Brewing Company, Revolution Brewing, and Free Will Brewing Company. There will be 22 beers on tap, and many of them have never been poured in D.C. Highlights from the evening’s list include Port Hop Freshener: Citrus & Piney, an Imperial IPA brewed with orange zest; Free Will Impromptu Dance Party: Vol. 1, an oak barrel-aged Sour Blond Ale finished with cranberries, cherries, peaches and grapefruit; and Revolution Deth’s Tar, a blend of Imperial Stouts aged in Old Fitzgerald, Old Forester, Elijah Craig, and Evan Williams Bourbon barrels. Just make sure to keep a hand free for all your Untappd check-ins.
Nanny O’Brien’s Pub
(3319 Connecticut Ave)
While the bigger names in beer will be pouring all over town, some breweries that fly under the radar will be getting their SAVOR partying on as well. One of those is Reuben’s Brews, which has been creating a name for itself in Seattle since 2012. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the brewers and co-founder will be in house before they head down to the Building Museum for SAVOR to talk shop and hand out swag. The featured beers include: Great American Beer Festival’s gold-winning gose and dry Irish stout (on nitro), Rye Crush NE IPA, Crikey IPA, Lilywhite wit, robust porter, American brown, and pilsner. These beers will be poured all night until the kegs kick.
Saturday
ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar
(300 Florida Ave. NW)
Two of the best Midwest breweries fill up Anxo’s tap lines starting at 11 a.m. to get your Saturday going. While both breweries are bringing a variety of beers sure to please anyone’s palate, they’re doing a special late night tapping at 10 p.m. of Perennial’s Vanilla Abraxas and Half Acre’s Galactic Double Daisy Cutter.
Partisan
(709 D St. NW)
As with SAVOR tradition, the SAVOR afterparty on Saturday night is the best place to continue the party with not only us beer fanatics but those who make the suds for us. Allagash Brewing Company, FATE Brewing Company, and Flying Dog Brewery will be pouring at 10 p.m. and will be sure to finish up the final hours of SAVOR excitement with a bang.
