Ok, so the madness that is Philly Beer Week is getting real tonight during Opening Tap at The Constitution Center. Sifting through the hundreds of events going on this week might seem a little daunting, but that's why there's an app for you iPhone peeps and Androids.
But, since we're the food-focused folks here at The Feast, we thought we would point you in the direction of a few beer dinners that are going to be special. Tickets for these events will disappear quickly.
Here, in chronological order for you planning types, are our picks:
The Wheat Beer Brunch with Lew Bryson at HopAngel Brauhaus, Saturday, June 4, 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M
This is always one of our favorite events because it starts your day off right—with a beer. Mike Scoats has moved this event from the friendly confines of The Grey Lodge up the road to his new establishment on Oxford Avenue. The ever-jovial and really smart Lew Bryson will be on hand to talk about beer, and his new book, Pennsylvania Breweries. Pay as you go.
Deschutes Dinner at The London Grill, Monday, June 6, 5:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M.
Because Deschutes (Portland, OR) is not yet available in Philly, and is one of the best brewhouses in the U.S., we're sending you to The London Grill. Chef McNally will be plating three courses, and this will be the only night in the city you can sample Larry Sidor's delicious beers. Drafts include Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Inversion IPA, Twilight Summer Ale, Nitro Obsidian Stout, Hop in the Dark and The Abyss 2010. Tickets are $55.
The Iron Chef, The Farmer, and The Brewer at JG Domestic, Tuesday, June 7, 7:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.
This event doesn't need too much selling as it teams up Iron Chef Jose Garces and Flying Fish's Casey Hughes, both of whom are kind of a big deal. But, we're into it because it's seven courses and features every Flying Fish Exit Beer (1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16) ever made. That's absolutely insane. Tickets are $75.
Meat and Beer Fest at Southwark, Wednesday, June 8, 5:30 P.M. until 10:30 P.M.
While it's always good to run into Yards' Brewing owner Tom Kehoe, this event is all about Nick Macri's amazing charcuterie. Yards' beers are very food friendly, and the intense richness of the sausages and terrines will pair well with both the bright and acidic suds, and the intensely-flavored beasts that roll off the line at the Delaware Avenue brewery. Pay as you go.
The Annual Founder's Beer Dinner at South Philadelphia Taproom, Wednesday, June 8, 7:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.
Next to Tom Peters' always way sold-out beer dinners at Monk's (Cantillon, Russian River, Port Brewing), this is the centerpiece Beer Dinner during all of Beer Week. Scott Schroeder's food is amazing, and if you don't know Founder's Brewing, learn quickly. This always ends up being a highlight of the festival for us. Kentucky Breakfast Stout is already a definite! Tickets are $90.
Dinner in a Can at Percy Street BBQ, Thursday, June 9, 7:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.
This five-course beer dinner is going to feature Erin O'Sea's masterful BBQ paired up with the winning beers from Oskar Blues, all of which come in a can. Softshell crabs, pickled peaches, housemade pork cracklins, and chocolate cake in a can are all on the menu. For us, though, the highlight will be that big black beer in a can, the legendary Ten Fidy.
Scandinavian Beer Dinner at Hawthorne's, Sunday, June 12, 6:30 P.M. until 8:30 P.M.
Four courses from their fantastic kitchen paired up with five beers from Shelton Brother's Imports makes this a great way to end your Beer Week journey. You'll get to sample some great brews from Dan Shelton's private cellar, including: "HanndBryggeriet Haandbakk" Flanders Oude Bruin, "Mikkeller I Beat You" Imperial IPA, "HaandBryggeriet Hesjol" Smoked Harvest Ale, "Nogne-O Saison" Citrus Saison, "Beer Here Morke" Pumpernickel Porter. Tickets are $65.
[The Feast]
