30+ beer-drinking events to celebrate Philly Beer Week’s 10th anniversary

We’re 10 years into Philly Beer Week this year, and the annual beer event series shows no signs of slowing down due to old age.

by Nick Vadala

Published May 31, 2017, 12:40 p.m. ET

We're 10 years into Philly Beer Week, and the annual beer event shows no signs of slowing down due to old age.

In fact, with about 200 bars and restaurants hosting about 1,000 beer-centric events listed on organizer Philly Loves Beer's website, it looks as if things are just getting warmed up.

Running now through June 11, Philly Beer Week has everything from standard pub crawls and tap takeovers to large block parties and beer festivals.

Here, we've rounded up more than 30 picks to welcome the 10th anniversary of Philly Beer Week. That's three beer-drinking events a day, so pace yourself. Philly Beer Week is a marathon, not a sprint.

Straight from Dottignies, Belgium, Brouwerij De Ranke cofounder Nino Bacelle will drop some serious Belgian beer knowledge at Monk's Cafe. For lunch, chef Keith Ballew will pair six De Ranke brews with four courses. And, yes, Gravity Never Fails (a Brouwerij De Ranke collab with 2SP) will be on tap.

Noon Thursday, Monk's Cafe, 264 S. 16th St. Tickets: price TBD, 215-545-7005), monkscafe.com.

» READ MORE: Opening Tap

Look out for first tastes of Gravity Never Fails (a porter from Aston's 2SP and Belgium's Brouwerij De Ranke) and Brotherly Suds (a collab from area breweries Victory, Yards, Tröegs, Iron Hill, and others), plus a cider-lover's section dubbed "The Orchard." Hammer of Glory revelers can follow the HOG on its tour through Philly on the "HOG Relay Bus" for $10.

6 p.m. Thursday, The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St. Tickets: $46-$92 ($15 for designated-driver tickets), thefillmorephilly.com.

» READ MORE: Unofficial Opening-Tap After Party

If you somehow didn't get your fill of booze at Opening Tap, Garage Fishtown has you covered (unofficially) with beers from 21st Amendment, Ballast Point, Founders, and Left Hand to continue the celebration. Good thing it's just down the street from The Fillmore — you won't have to stumble too far from PBW's kickoff event.

8 p.m. Thursday, Garage Fishtown, 100 E. Girard Ave. Pay as you go, garagephilly.com.

» READ MORE: Philly Expats

Philly is "America's best beer-drinking city," so, naturally, some of the best brewers in the country come from here. Johnny Brenda's hosts three former Philadelphians who left the City of Brotherly Love for beerier pastures, including Casey Hughes of Coppertail Brewing (formerly of Flying Fish), Oxbow Brewing's Mike Fava (ex-Dock Street, Nodding Head), and Two Roads' John Rehm (from Philadelphia Brewing Co., Yards, and John Harvard's). A high-ABV homecoming if there ever was one.

6 p.m. Friday, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, johnnybrendas.com.

» READ MORE: Craft Beer Beasts of the Northeast

Local beer reps from Green Flash Brewing, Weyerbacher Brewing, and Cape May Brewing are natives of Northeast Philadelphia, and have decided to pair their beers with the most Philly-centric foods outside the cheesesteak: soft pretzels and water ice. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best pajama pants. (Seriously, there's a prize for best PJ pants.)

9 p.m. Friday, Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, greylodge.com.

» READ MORE: A Night of #nicethings

Last year, Dock Street Brewery partnered with Philly hip-hop artist Chill Moody for a special brew dubbed #nicethings IPA. Now, for Philly Beer Week 2017, Dock Street will release the brew in can form, and it's celebrating with an "unplugged" show from the Philly rapper, who will be backed by pianist Luke Carlos O'Reilly and his band.

10 p.m. Friday, Heritage, 914 N. Second St. Pay as you go, heritage.life.

Origlio Beverage takes over the taps at the Taproom on 19th with beers like Dogfish Head's 120 Minute, Pizza Boy Brewing's Sour Murren, and 2SP's Pollen Nation for a day of beer-y, BBQ-y fun. Mike's BBQ will handle that last part by serving up smoked brisket, pork, and ribs, and "a whole pig or two" will be roasted, according to an event posting.

Noon Saturday, Taproom on 19th, 2400 S. 19th St. Pay as you go, taproomon19th.com.

» READ MORE: It’s a Firkin Riot!

Johnny Brenda's continues its cask-beer revelry this year with its eighth annual celebration of It's a Firkin Riot! JB's will tap firkins of local beer while serving up fish and chips and meatpies from the kitchen. Musicwise, DJs including Kevin Spaghetti and Cities on Flame will spin British rock throughout the day.

11 a.m. Saturday, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, johnnybrendas.com.

» READ MORE: Dunk-a-Trump for the ACLU

Terrapin Beer Co. gets (somewhat) political with this event, which will feature a President Trump impersonator waiting to be dropped into a dunk tank in support of the ACLU. Look for Terrapin beers like Watermelon Gose and Hi-5 IPA, and pair them with a "Trumpwich" (a bologna sandwich) or "Orangecicle" (an ice-cream sundae) from El Camino Real.

2 p.m. Saturday, El Camino Real, 1040 N. Second St. Pay as you go, elcaminophilly.com.

» READ MORE: Escape the Room with Victory Brewing

Victory will partner with Escape the Room Philadelphia for a more beer-fueled version of its usual room-escape game. This version allows for groups of up to 10 players, but given the alcohol component, you may want to keep your numbers low. However, even if you fail miserably, tickets include a free beer from Jose Pistola's before and after the game.

11:30 a.m. Sunday, Escape the Room Philadelphia, 1528 Walnut St. $35, escapetheroomphilly.com.

» READ MORE: Poppin’ Wheelies with Evil Genius

What do big wheels and beer have in common? Nothing, except that the folks at Evil Genius Beer Co. found a few in their parents' basements and decided to throw an event around that discovery. After a taking a few tipsy laps around Drury Beer Garden on one, you probably won't care what the reasoning was.

Noon Sunday, Drury Beer Garden, 1311 Sansom St. Pay as you go, opaphiladelphia.com.

» READ MORE: Bar Olympics

Join Evolution Craft Brewing, River Horse Brewing, or Victory Brewing — or start your own team — for the fourth annual Bar Olympics at Grey Lodge. Drinking games include flip cup, survivor flip cup, beer pong, and depth charge, though many events will be done with water "for safety and sanity reasons," an event posting notes. Beers from Evolution, River Horse, and Victory, among others, will be on tap.

5 p.m. Sunday, Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, greylodge.com.

Everybody knows Philly has great beer, but we also have some great home brew, and a whole bunch of it will be on display for the Extreme Home-brew Challenge's 10th annual competition. As a bonus, James Beard Award-winner (and Dogfish Head founder) Sam Calagione — an early customer of Home Sweet Homebrew — will be a special guest.

6 p.m. Monday, Jose Pistola's, 263 N. 15th St. $30 via Home Sweet Homebrew, homesweethomebrew.com.

» READ MORE: The Citywide Celebration

Anywhere else, it's known as a shot and a beer, but here in Philly, it's a Citywide. As legend has it, Bob & Barbara's Lounge combined a can of PBR and a shot of Jim Beam in 1994 for "The Special," and other bars started to copy it. Now, we can celebrate that proud history of thievery with a drag show, wedding, live music, food, and, of course, plenty of drinks.

7 p.m. Monday, Bob & Barbara's Lounge, 1509 South St. Pay as you go, bobandbarbaras.com.

» READ MORE: Beerlesque: Full Front Street Burlesque

Full Front Street's weekly burlesque show gets a beer-centric makeover for Philly Beer Week while injecting a little sex appeal into the event series' 10th anniversary. It's not all about prurient interests, though — there will also be beer, including British brews Greene King / Morland Brewery's Old Speckled Hen and Charlie Wells Dry Hopped Lager.

9 p.m. Monday, the Victoria Freehouse, 10 S. Front St. $8 at the door, victoriafreehouse.com.

» READ MORE: New kids on the block

Philly's got plenty of new breweries, and Philly Beer Week is the perfect time to acquaint yourself with some of them. Pick the brains of the folks behind Stickman Brews, Vault Brewing, Double Nickel Brewing, and Brewery ARS at this meet-and-greet event, and knock back a few to boot. Each brewery will have two beers available.

5 p.m. Tuesday, Standard Tap, 901 N. Second St. Pay as you go, standardtap.com.

» READ MORE: Art on Beer

Meet the artists behind some of the most killer craft-beer labels, from breweries like Mikkeller (Keith Shore), Troegs (Lindsey Tweed), Neshaminy Creek (JP Flexner), Highway Manor (Keith Greiman), and more in this panel discussion. Plus, 20 percent of ticket proceeds will benefit local nonprofits supporting the arts.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Ave. $20, frankfordhall.me.

» READ MORE: PBW: Let’s Make a Deal

What do you get when you combine the classic TV game show Let's Make a Deal with beer? Drunk -- but that's besides the point. Join Yards, Harpoon, and Sam Adams for a night of beer-fueled, costume-laden trading for some sweet prizes, and even sweeter beer. Night one of a two-night event.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, greylodge.com.

» READ MORE: Reps Got Game

Food and beer pairings are interesting, but beer and video game pairings are a whole lot more fun. Test your might against beer reps from Yards, Brooklyn Brewery, and Dogfish Head in games like Golden Eye, Mario Kart, and NHL64. Noobz need not apply.

3 p.m. Wednesday, Sancho Pistola's, 19 W. Girard Ave. Pay as you go, sanchopistolas.com.

» READ MORE: Beer Lab at the Franklin Institute

If you've ever wondered how that frosty pint made its way to your lips, this is the event for you. The Franklin Institute teams up with area breweries for an adults-only lesson in how hops, barley, and yeast come together to make the world's best beverage. Samples, of course, will be provided.

7 p.m. Wednesday, Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St. $30, fi.edu.

» READ MORE: Bye Bye Liver: A Drinking Play

7 p.m. Wednesday, Evil Genius Beer Co., 1727 N. Front St. $20, evilgeniusbeer.com.

Grey Lodge's Mike "Scoates" Scotese loves his pilsners, and Philly Beer Week is the perfect week to show off the style. For this event, 10 taps will pour pilsners to be paired with pierogi, which ought to be enough to give guests their fill. Plus, be prepared for hourly board-game competitions with special swag for winners.

11 a.m. Thursday, Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, greylodge.com.

» READ MORE: Beer and Boats at Bartram’s Garden

Bartram's Garden takes Philly Beer Week outdoors for a day of local brews on the river with Cartesian Brewing, Highway Manor Brewing, Quaker City Malting, and more. Tickets include one beer, and a 30-minute boat/kayak trip on the Schuylkill with all equipment provided (kids boat free with a parent).

4 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. $15, bartgramsgarden.org.

» READ MORE: There Gose the Neighborhood

Gose beers are unfiltered wheat beers, and they're one of the hottest beer styles in 2017. Explore this old German beer style at Jose Pistolas with Anderson Valley Brewing and Coppertail Brewing, both of which will be bringing out their finest goses for Philly Beer Week. Some beers to look for: Coppertail's Hawaiian Punch and Purple Drink, and Anderson Valley's Blood Orange Gose and Briney Melon Gose, among others.

7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Jose Pistola's, 263 S. 15th St. Pay as you go, josepistolas.com.

» READ MORE: All Weekend Wood

It's a barrel-aged beer extravaganza at Strangelove's, which will feature three days of woody brews. Brews from Tired Hands, Forest and Main, Allagash, 2SP, Lost Abbey, Firestone Walker, Rodenbach, and more will be available, so show up thirsty.

11 a.m. Friday, June 9, Strangelove's, 216 S. 11th St. Pay as you go, strangelovesbeerbar.com.

» READ MORE: PBW Sour Power

Pucker up — Johnny Brenda's has a whole day of sour beer planned. Starting at 11 a.m., the famed Fishtown bar will dole out pours of tart, sour, and wild ales as a way to explore one of 2017's most prominent beer styles. Plus, Myrrias play from 4 to 8 p.m. for some musical entertainment.

11 a.m. Friday, June 9, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave. Pay as you go, johnnybrendas.com.

» READ MORE: Sly Fox & Tröegs Canwood Derby Race

Tröegs faces off against Sly Fox in this derby race featuring cars made from 12-ounce cans. Guests also are welcome to participate in the race, but must construct their cars according to strict rules regarding measurements and materials. Host Good Dog Bar also will have local beers on tap, so you'll be able to celebrate or lick your wounds, depending on the race's outcome.

5 p.m. Friday, June 9, Good Dog, 224 S. 15th St. Pay as you go, gooddogbar.com.

» READ MORE: Fishtown FestivALE

Fishtown's biggest block party takes over Frankford Avenue for a day of food and booze from participating restaurants like Sancho Pistola's, Johnny Brenda's, Fette Sau, Bottle Bar East, and Frankford Hall. This is a family-friendly event and will feature carnival games, a dunk tank, and locally made art.

Noon Saturday, June 10, Frankford and Girard Avenues. Pay as you go, facebook.com/events/185645908618220/.

» READ MORE: Tailgate Olympics

Formidable beer athletes from Levante, Yards, Weyerbacher, 2SP, Evil Genius, and Free Will face off to see who reigns supreme at the tailgate in this inaugural event. Games include giant jenga and beer pong, ladder golf, Baggo, and KanJam. Devil's Den will provide tailgate-themed foods.

Noon Saturday, June 10, Devil's Den, 1148 S. 11th St., Pay as you go, devilsdenphilly.com.

» READ MORE: The Ladies Beer Tea

Take a traditional high tea, remove the tea and add beer, and you've got a basic understanding of the Ladies Beer Tea. Join host Nancy Rigberg of Home Sweet Homebrew fame for an afternoon of traditional high-tea bites paired with craft beer. Is a tea sandwich still a tea sandwich if you drink it with an ale?

2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, the Belgian Cafe, 601 N. 21st St. $28, 215-235-3500, thebelgiancafe.com.

» READ MORE: Beers Your Dad Drank

After doing some yard work, folks today can enjoy any number of craft beers in a huge number of styles to celebrate a job well done. Our fathers had a more limited selection. The Taproom on 19th will celebrate that history with a throwback to the beers of yesteryear. Think Rolling Rock, Schmidt's, Ballantine, and Genesee Cream Ale, and you're on the right track.

11 a.m. Sunday, June 11, Taproom on 19th, 2400 S. 19th St. Pay as you go, taproomon19th.com.

» READ MORE: Home-brew Class

Just because Philly Beer Week ends doesn't mean your beer education should. Kick-start your home-brewing journey with a home-brew class from the folks at the Philly Homebrew Outlet, who will head to El Camino Real with some beer equipment (and a lot of beer knowledge) in tow. Samples and specials also will be available.

2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, El Camino Real, 1040 N. Second St. Pay as you go, elcaminophilly.com.

» READ MORE: Cocktail Cleanup

With Philly Beer Week drawing to a close, it's time to do a little keg cleanup, and Prohibition Taproom is taking the cocktail route. The bar will feature a list of beer cocktails made from leftover keg beer, moving on to a new brew (and cocktail) as each keg is kicked.

6 p.m. Sunday, June 11, Prohibition Taproom, 501 N. 13th St. Pay as you go, prohibitiontaproom.com.