Enjoy the Beer, Sign the Declaration
There are dozens of cities across the country that celebrate their brewing heritage with a beer week, but there’s only one American Craft Beer Week that spans the breadth of the entire country as a whole. The annual celebration featured more than 1,500 events in all 50 states last year. This year’s ACBW takes place May 14-20 and, given the burgeoning interesting in craft beer, should be even bigger. Locally, you can attend tap takeovers by such breweries as Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn Brewery and Brewery Ommegang; sample special food and beer pairings at the Arlington Fire Works Pizzeria on May 14; or breathe in the spring air at a rooftop beer dinner (Flying Dog at Whitlow’s on Wilson) on May 16.
Untappd, a social network for beer lovers, will issue a special badge so you can show your support for the craft beer revolution (check www.untappd.com as Beer Week approaches).
And after you get home, you can surf over to the ACBW site and download a Declaration of Beer Independence (“I declare the beer I choose to enjoy is not a commodity, but more importantly an artistic creation of living liquid history made from passionate innovators”). Tens of thousands signed the declaration last year. What would Thomas Jefferson do?
For more information, visit www.craftbeer.com.
Ready to raise a pint to American craft brewers? Here are just some of the events taking place during American Craft Beer Week. Be sure to check our website for even more as we get closer to the event. For On Tap’s regualr list of beer evnts visit www.ontaponline.com.
TAP TAKEOVERS
May 12
Breckenridge at Westover Market
Featuring all the Breckenridge beers they have in stock.
Westover Market: 5863 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-536-5040; www.westovermarket.com
May 14
Sierra Nevada at Del Ray Pizzeria
Featuring Pale Ale, Torpedo, Summerfest, Pilsner, Jack & Ken’s Ale, Stout and Hoptimum.
Del Ray Pizzeria: 2218 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; 2218 Mount Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA; 703-549-2999; www.delraypizzeria.com
May 15
Anchor Brewing at Light Horse Tavern
Featured beers include Steam, Liberty, Summer, Foghorn and specialty brews like Breckles.
Light Horse: 715 King St. Alexandria, VA; 703-549-0533; www.thelighthorserestaurant.com
Sierra Nevada at Galaxy Hut
Enjoy the full line of Sierra Nevada brews at Arlington's tiny little big craft beer bar.
Galaxy Hut: 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; www.galaxyhut.com.
May 16
Brooklyn Brewery at Chadwick’s
Seven taps will be pouring Brooklyn’s finest: Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brown, East India Pale Ale, Summer Ale, Sorachi Ace, BLAST and Black Chocolate Stout.
Chadwick’s: 203 The Strand, Alexandria, VA; 703-836-4442; www.chadwicksrestaurants.com.
Ommegang at Fireworks Pizza
Enjoy Ommegang brews Abbey Ale, Rare Vos, Adoration, Hennepin, Three Philosophers and Witte.
Fireworks Pizza: 2350 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-527-8700; www.fireworkspizza.com
May 18
New Belgium at Pork Barrel BBQ
Six taps will be pouring your New Belgium favorites: Fat Tire, Ranger IPA, Somersault Summer Seasonal, Belgo, 1554 and Trippel.
Pork Barrel BBQ: 2312 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; 703-822-5699; www.porkbarrelbbq.com
Sam Adams at Joe Theismann’s
Featured beers will include Boston Lager, Summer Ale Latitude 48 IPA and several of their specialty brews.
Joe Theismann’s Restaurant: 1800 Diagonal Rd. Alexandria, VA; 703-739-0777; www.joetheismanns.com
Flying Dog at Westover Market
Meet the Flying Dog brewer as he and his crew take over all ten of the indoor lines at Westover.
Westover Market: 5863 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-536-5040; www.westovermarket.com
SAMPLINGS
May 14
Widmer Brothers: 12 to 3 p.m. at Total Wine McLean: 1451 Chain Bridge Rd. McLean, VA; 703-749-0011; www.totalwine.com.
Starr Hill: 4 to 7 p.m. Total Wine Fairfax: 9484 Main St. Fairfax, VA; 703-250-0604; www.totalwine.com.
Old Dominion & Fordham: 1 to 4 p.m. Total Wine Fairfax: 9484 Main St. Fairfax, VA; 703-250-0604; www.totalwine.com.
May 15
Starr Hill: 4 to 8 p.m. Total Wine Chantilly: 13055-C Lee Jackson Hwy. Chantilly, VA; 703-817-1177; www.totalwine.com.
Widmer Brothers: Noon to 3 p.m. Total Wine Alexandria: 6240 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA; 703-941-1133; www.totalwine.com.
Kona, Redhook and Widmer: Union Jack’s Arlington: 4238 Wilson Blvd. Arlington; 703-778-3568; www.unionjacksballston.com.
Old Dominion & Fordham: 4 to 7 p.m. Total Wine McLean: 1451 Chain Bridge Rd. McLean, VA; 703-749-0011; www.totalwine.com.
Samuel Adams: 4 to 6 p.m. Total Wine Springfield: 6801 Bland St. Springfield, VA; 703-912-9387; www.totalwine.com.
May 16
Samuel Adams: 5 to 7 p.m. Total Wine Chantilly: 13055-C Lee Jackson Hwy. Chantilly, VA; 703-817-1177; www.totalwine.com.
Samuel Adams: 4 to 6 p.m. Total Wine McLean: 1451 Chain Bridge Rd. McLean, VA; 703-749-0011; www.totalwine.com.
May 17
Goose Island: 4 to 7 p.m. Whole Foods Alexandria: 1700 Duke St. Alexandria, VA; 703-706-0891; www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
Starr Hill: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Total Wine Springfield: 6801 Bland St. Springfield, VA; 703-912-9387; www.totalwine.com.
Old Dominion & Fordham: 4 to 7 p.m. Norms Beer & Wine: 136 Branch Rd SE, Vienna, VA; 703-242-0100; www.normsbeerandwine.com.
Samuel Adams: 4 to 6 p.m. Total Wine Landmark: Plaza at Landmark, I-395 & Little River Tpk. Alexandria, VA; 703-941-1133; www.totalwine.com.
May 18
Widmer Brothers: 3 to 6 p.m. Total Wine Chantilly: 13055-C Lee Jackson Hwy. Chantilly, VA; 703-817-1177; www.totalwine.com.
Old Dominion & Fordham: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Total Wine Chantilly: 13055-C Lee Jackson Hwy. Chantilly, VA; 703-817-1177; www.totalwine.com.
Devils Backbone: 4-7 p.m. Whole Foods Alexandria: 1700 Duke St. Alexandria, VA; 703-706-0891; www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
May 19
Widmer Brothers: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Total Wine Springfield: 6801 Bland St. Springfield, VA; 703-912-9387; www.totalwine.com.
Starr Hill: 1 to 3 p.m. Total Wine Alexandria: 6240 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA; 703-941-1133; www.totalwine.com.
May 20
Widmer Brothers: 12 to 3 p.m. Total Wine Fairfax: 9484 Main St. Fairfax, VA; 703-250-0604; www.totalwine.com.
DINNERS AND FOOD PAIRINGS
May 14
Flying Dog at Fireworks Pizza
Sample from an array of Firework’s specialties and enjoy Flying Dog beers at this food and beer pairing party. 5 p.m.
Fireworks Pizza: 2350 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-527-8700; www.fireworkspizza.com
May 15
Flying Dog at Virtue Feed & Grain
Enjoy Flying Dog brews paired with tasty Virtue concoctions. Please call ahead to reserve a space, starts at 7 p.m.
Virtue Feed & Grain: 106 South Union St. Alexandria, VA; 571-970-3669; www.virtuefeedandgrain.com.
May 16
Flying Dog Rooftop Brewery Event at Whitlow’s
Head sky high to enjoy a full range of Flying Dog bottled beers on one of Arlington’s hippest rooftops. 6 p.m.
Whitlow’s on Wilson: 2854 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA;703-276-9693; www.whitlows.com.
May 20
Taste of Arlington
Taste features a huge array of craft beers for sampling. Featured this year are: New Belgium, Magic Hat, Gordon Biersch, Sam Adams, Shiner, Sierra Nevada, Breckenridge, Ommegang, Brooklyn and more. What a way to put a cap on American Craft Beer Week! For more information, visit www.tasteofarlington.com.
