So last weekend the Craft Brewers Conference was held in San Diego, CA. As part of the conference the World Beer Cup Awards were also held. This is held one every two years. They presented well over 250 awards to breweries all over the world. Virginia wasn’t left off the award list. Here are our winners:
Devils Backbone – Gold Medal, Vienna-Style Lager Category, Vienna Lager
Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern)– Silver Medal, Extra Special Bitter Category, GAR Pale AleCa
Hardywood Park – Bronze Medal, Herb and Spice Beer Category, Gingerbread Stout
Rock Bottom Arlington – Bronze Medal, Coffee Beer Category, Coffee Stout
Blue Mountain – Bronze Medal, American-Belgo-Style Ale Category, Blue Reserve
American Craft Beer Week starts on May 14 thru 20th. I have the events listed in each day.
So with that let’s get into our updates:
Fri May 11th:
One of Virginia’s newest brewery, Midnight Brewing, is opening their doors for the first time to the public. They are having an open house today at 5pm. Come by to try their beer as well as their collaboration beer with Hardywood Park Brewing.
Capital Ale House is hosting this months 10th Anniversay Ale Taping. This month is a two fer…Lancaster Brewing Black Boar IPA & Blue and Gray Kollaboration Kolsch.
Sat May 12th:
It’s Sat that means Festivals!!
In Gloucester, they are having the Main Street Brew Jam Fest. It’s a day full of music, food and beer. Starts at 11am thru 7pm. Tickets are available at the door for $20.
If you are closer to Richmond then head over to the 2nd Annual Virginia Hop and Barley Festival. VIP tickets are sold out but you can get general admission tickets at the gate for $20. Starts at 1pm until 9pm.
Mon May 14th:
American Craft Beer Week Brew Ridge Trail ‘Keep the Glass” happening at Devils Backbone Brewing, Wild Wolf Brewing and Blue Mountain Brewing Co. They will be tapping their collaboration beer at 5pm.
If you are in Richmond they will have their American Craft BeerWeek Firkin Crawl. Starting at Weezie’s Dinner and going three different bars. They will have different cask and special kegs on tap. The crawl starts at 5pm.
Clyde’s at Mark Center Beer Dinner featuring Starr Hill Brewing starts at 7pm. Tickets are available for $55 per person. Details and menu are in the link.
Tue May 15th:
The Birch Bar is celebrating American Craft Beer Week with a selection of kegs on tap through out the week.
American Craft Beer Week Brew Ridge Trail ‘Keep the Glass” continues at Devils Backbone Brewing, Wild Wolf Brewing and Blue Mountain Brewing.
Pales…in comparison- A celebration of the American Pale Ale @ Joe’s Inn It’s night of Pale Ale and there are 10 to choose. Starts at 5pm
Dogfish Ale House Fairfax is having a He Said, She Said Beer Dinner starting at 7pm. Follow the link for menu and details.
The Blue Goat is having their first beer dinner of year featuring Hardywood Park Brewing. Cost is $50 per person. Contact them to reserve your spot.
Wed May 16th:
Beer Theater back and it’s moved to a bigger location. Come to Capital Ale House Downtown and see what the folks over at Goose Island Brewing have been up to There is a cost of $10 but no reservations are needed. Starts at 5:30pm.
Acacia Midtown is also having their Goose Island Brewing event. It’s a beer dinner and it starts at 5:30pm. Link has the details.
American Craft Beer Week Kill the Keg at Mad Fox Brewing. They will have kegs from several Northern Virginia and DC breweries all ready to be consumed. Starts at 6pm.
Whole Food Short Pump is host a Crispin Cider Beer Dinner to benefit Humanity Helping Sudan Project. As I understand it, tickets are going fast. Reserve yours now!
Devils Backbone American Craft Beer Week Pork & Craft Beer Dinner. The menu looks great and beer even better. Link has menu, cost and reservation details. Start at 6pm
Thur May 17th:
Thomas Jefferson Favorites at Devils Backbone Brewing. We continue celebrating American Craft Beer Week with Thomas Jefferson who brewed himself. Paired with some of Jefferson’s favorite foods. A unique evening of offerings on our menu for this special week!
American Craft Beer Week Cask Night at Mad Fox Brewing. Yep, they continue to offer some great beer. Now it’s in cask. Starting at 6pm, stop by to try some of your favorites on cask.
Total Wine & More is having their Monthly Beer Classes. This month is Horray for IPA. Classes are small and fill up fast. Check the link for the location nearest to you and times.
Chantilly
McLean
Richmond (South)
Magnolia at the Mills hosts their Lighter Side of Belgium Beer Dinner starting at 7pm. Link has menu and reservation details.
….And this ends this week’s event updates. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for the latest and greatest event updates.