2beerguys beer blog

American Craft Beer Week Celebration starts today (5/16 to 5/22)

As an annual celebration organized by the Brewers Association/CraftBeer.com, American Craft Beer Week is the largest national effort focusing on American craft brewers.  Made up of hundreds of local events around the country, the week toasts the growing community of beer lovers with celebratory happenings including charity fundraisers, new beer releases, festivals, unique craft beer dinners and special brewery tours.

To find recognition in your area, visit the official ACBW Events Calendar.  Note: This list of events will continue to grow through May 15 with celebrations predicted in all 50 states.

Some local 2011 American Craft Beer Weeks events:

Harpoon Brewery (MA):

• Harpoon Fest – 306 Northern Ave, Boston
  • Friday, May 20 – Hours: 5:30 to 11:00 PM (Doors Close at 9:30 PM)
  • Saturday, May 21 – Hours: 2:00 to 9:00 PM (Doors Close at 7:30 PM)
• Harpoon 5 Miler
  • 10th Annual Running of the Harpoon 5-Miler
  • Sunday, May 22nd – race starts at 10:00.

Portsmouth Brewery (NH):

• Visit us: We’ve added some extra tours! You can tour Portsmouth Brewery every day of Craft Beer Week at 3pm! Join Tod or Tyler (our brewers) for an intimate look at our cozy brewery. All tours come with a half-priced beer sampler!
• Support your local community: We’re giving more back! Normally, Tuesdays are Community Pint Night at Portsmouth Brewery, but for craft beer week, every week night is Community Pint Night. We donate 25¢ to a charity of your choice for each beer you buy. It’s easy – on your way out the door, just place the tokens you’ve received in the yellow wooden box mounted next to our front door.
• Special Tappings: We’re tapping some special beers! Kate the Great will make THREE appearances over the course of the week, in addition to releases of aged Wheat Wine and Barleywine and a firkin of Milk Stout aged on “El Conquistador” coffee beans roasted down the block at Breaking New Grounds. The tapping times won’t be published, so you’ll have to keep an eye on our Facebook page to get the news.
• Brewer for the day: We’re giving away a brewday! We’ll be holding a drawing and the winner gets to spend a day with Tod and Tyler. Experience Tod Mott’s wackiness! Enjoy the magic of the mid-morning chowder break! Revel in weighing out hops! It’s really the best reason to call out of work well.

Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project (MA/RI)

• Beer Release – Monday May 16th: Fieldmouse’s Farewell is launching on his very small boat on Monday May 16th at the Foundry in Davis Square, Somerville. Come and wave goodbye as he sets sail on another yearly adventure. There will be beer, fun, nibbles and even cupcakes for the first 50 people who want one! The launch runs from 6-8, other details are in the link.
• Beer Dinner – Tuesday 17th: we’re off to Providence RI to celebrate American Craft Beer Week with a beer dinner at Nick’s on Broadway, a really fabulous restaurant and bar. Get your tickets now if you want them, we’re really looking forward to it.
• Beer Release, Part Duex – Wednesday 18th: Why not launch the Fieldmouse again?! On Weds 18th we’re at The Avery in Providence, a really cool bar with a ton of character. We’ll have all our high jinks all over again, 7-9pm. We’ll probably head to Julian’s for a drink afterwards!

Ipswich Brewing Company (MA):

• Friday and Saturday, May 20th & 21st – Tales and Ales hosted by Ipswich Brewing Company @Swett-Ilsley House Tavern – 4 High Road, Newbury, MA, 6:30-9:00PM
• Sunday, May 22nd – Ipswich Brewing Company will be at the Hoppin’ Mad Mud Run @Woodsom Farms – 222 Lions Mouth Rd, Amesbury, MA, 10:00-3:00PM

Boston Beer Company – aka Sam Adams (MA)

• Boston Brewery Open House
  • When: May 17th 5:00-8:00p.m. Please arrive by 7:15p.m. at the latest.
  • Where: Samuel Adams Boston Brewery – 30 Germania Street, Boston, MA 02130

Gardner Ale House (MA)

• Annual Spring Beer Dinner 2011
  • Thursday, May 19, 6 PM
  • 5 Ale House Beers, 5 Gourment Courses, 50 People, $50 – Reservations 978 669 0122

British Beer Company (Walpole, MA):

• Dogfish Head Tap Take-Over with 13 Taps with Randall the Enamel Animal X3 – Saturday May 21st at Noon: At the Dogfish Head Tap Take-Over on May 21st at the British Beer Company in Walpole 13 different beers from the seminal Delaware brewer will be on draft. Three of those lines will be hooked up to different Randall’s. Festina Peche will be filtered through fresh peaches, strawberries and kiwi. Pangea with fresh ginger. 90 Minute with Amarillo, Simcoe and Warrior hops. Other rarities on tap for the day include Robert Johnson’s HellHound on My Ale and Johnny Cask. All the beers will be tapped by Noon and will stay on until they’re kicked.  The day will also include free cheese and food pairings, live music by the Racky Thomas Band and kick the keg prizes all day.

Other Beer Weeks happening during American Craft Beer Week:

• Minnesota Craft Beer Week – May 13-22, 2011
• Long Island Craft Beer Week – May 13-22, 2011
• Nevada Beer Week – May 14-22, 2011
• San Antonio Beer Week – May 15-22, 2011
• Chicago Craft Beer Week – May 19-27, 2011
• Seattle Beer Week – May 19-28, 2011

For full information on American Craft Beer Week visit http://www.craftbeer.com/acbw.