This week is covered with three new brews from DC Brau, the return of a popular ramen pop-up to Toki Underground, and an opportunity to sip cocktails inspired by Clue. There’s also a chance to rock your favorite flannel on Shilling Canning Company’s new patio or during Calico’s late harvest festival, which doubles as its seasonal menu roll out.
Cocktail masterclass at Columbia Room
Throw down with spirits and cocktail expert Derek Brown during part one of his interactive cocktail masterclass Saturday at his Columbia Room that focuses on botanicals, herbs, and spices. While there, you’ll learn how to make three drinks: “Gin Basil Smash,” “Spirit-Free Lion’s Tail,” and “Dandelion Negroni.” You’ll also make a spiced maple syrup, discuss common plants and flowers used in cocktails, and how to choose basil and use dandelions. (124 Blagden Alley NW, Saturday 1 p.m. or 3 p.m., $125 a person)
Calico launches Late Harvest Festival
Head over to Calico on Sunday for an autumn festival that’s got a pop-up pumpkin patch, a carving station, lamb chili and grilled Chesapeake oysters from chef/owner Nathan Beauchamp, candied apples, a mini farmer’s market, fresh popcorn, and, of course, hot cocktails. Expect rum-spiked cider, mulled wine, bourbon mules, apple Manhattans, Oktoberfest beers and more. Love & Carrots, a D.C., based, woman-owned company will be on hand selling edible plants, and the farmers market offers Asian pears, honey crisp apples, apple cider and more fare from local farmers. (50 Blagden Alley NW, Sunday 1 p.m.- 7 p.m., FREE)
Crustaceans crush it for a cause
The Salt Line links up with Brooklyn-based Other Half Brewing on Sunday to bring you Oyster Wars, a roundup of locally sourced seafood from oyster farmers, restaurateurs, and chefs up and down the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. You’ll score seafood from Harris Creek Oyster Company; Mike Friedman of All Purpose Pizzerias and Red Hen; Katsuya Fukushima from Daikaya, Haikan and Bantam King; Marjorie Meek-Bradley of St. Anselm; and more. Look for local brews from DC Brau and 3 Stars Brewing, and others from around the U.S. like Wakefield Brewing Company out of Miami, and Jester King from Austin, Texas. Part of the proceeds from the event support the Oyster Recovery Partnership and the Anacostia Riverkeeper. (79 Potomac Avenue SE, Sunday 2 p.m.-7 p.m., $60)
It’s Snallygaster time
The Snallygaster massive craft beer festival swings into D.C. Saturday, bringing around 400 popular brews on draft from more than 150 American and foreign beer producers. The longtime festival, which also includes food trucks and live music, supports Arcadia, a nonprofit that’s trying to create an equitable and sustainable food system in the D.C. area. (Saturday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest between 3rd and 6th streets, $50 for unlimited tastings)
‘African Mean Girls Play’ immortalized in cocktails
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play has been extended through Oct. 20 at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, which gives you time to sip three signature cocktails at its Fourth Wall Bar & Café. The drinks are inspired by the play that examines colorism at an all-girls boarding school in Ghana. First up is the Mean Girl, named for the character of Paulina, the school’s reigning queen bee. It’s made with Aperol, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and Crème de Cassis. Next is the School Girl, honoring the biracial American girl of Ghanaian heritage who upends Paulina’s world. It’s made out of lamugin (a rice and ginger drink popular in Ghana), Picaroon white rum, and Picaroon dark rum. Finally, the “Head Mistress” cocktail, named after the boarding school’s fearless leader, is mixed with Sagamore Spirit rye and Carpano Antica vermouth. (4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD, cocktails $12-$14)
Ramen returns
The Toh Roong noodle pop-up dinner at Toki Underground is back by popular demand and the duo behind it has rolled out dates for two more: October 13 and November 3. In both cases, Kitima Boonmala, chef and founder of Toh Roong, joins forces with Olivier Caillabet of Toki to dish out a special menu of ramen noodles. The menu is the same as it was for the September launch, except skate wing replaces soft crab shell on the tom yum. (1234 H St NE, seatings are at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., but more could follow based on demand. Menu items range from $6 to $20)
DC Brau’s triple treat Thursday
DC Brau is releasing three beers in its taproom Thursday, including a new batch of its uber popular On the Wings of Armageddon, an imperial IPA. Also available will be two small batch, limited-edition lagers: Stacked Vote, an India pale lager, and Nitro Mocha Pils, an ABV lager. Keep an eye out for cans and kegs of On the Wings of Armageddon to appear on menus and shelves later this month. (3138-B Bladensburg Road NE, Thursday, 4 p.m.)
Get a Clue
The Royal brings the old-school board game “Clue” to life on Monday with six drinks inspired by characters from it—the cocktails are brought to you by guest bartender Lauren Paylor of Dos Mamis and Pom Pom, and Royal bar managers Jake Kenny and Alonzo Freeman. And if you’re really feeling the old-school vibe, The Royal will screen the classic 1980s “Clue” movie on the projector as you play the famed board game. (501 Florida Avenue NW, Monday, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.; $8 for cocktails, $3 for beer from Atlas Brew Works, and $9 for spicy fried chicken sandwiches)
New patio on deck
The patio at Shilling Canning Company opened in Navy Yard on Tuesday, so hurry up and get there before the frost hits. The 25-seat patio is highlighted by string lights, a trellis, and planter boxes, and it offers the option of enjoying food and drinks from the dinner and bar menus. Four-legged friends are also welcome. (360 Water Street SE, Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.)
Vermouth vibes
Just in time for fall, Jaleo Crystal City has added a daily Hora Del Vermút, or Vermouth Hour. The traditional Spanish aperitif is typically enjoyed before the meal begins. If vermouth is not your jam, you can still sip sangria, beer, wine, and other cocktails. (2250-A Crystal Drive, Monday-Friday 3 p.m.- 7 p.m., weekends from 3 p.m.- close, $8-$12)
This post has been updated with new names for the themed cocktails at Round House.
