May 16 kicks off this year's American Craft Beer Week, first organized by the Brewers Association’s Craft Beer Program in 2006. The week of tastings, tappings and events provide craft brewers an opportunity to commemorate what they do with fellow craft beer lovers. This isn't some silly made-up and oddly specific day like National Raspberry Cream Pie Day; it's actually been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives. Running from May 16-22, there are events taking place across the country, and since North Texas is home to such a vibrant brewery scene, there are plenty of events and specials to commemorate the occasion. Here's a list of local ACBW events worth checking out:
PINSTACK Bowling in Plano
All week
PINSTACK will celebrate American Craft Beer Week with half-priced Lakewood Lager, Revolver Blood & Honey and Lakewood Temptress. There will also be three craft beer-inspired menu items to reflect each of these local brews, which includes a "Grilled caramelized sweet onion flatbread, with a Lakewood Lager cheese dipping sauce," "Braised beer short rib, with goat cheese mashed potatoes, with Revolver Blood & Honey barbecue sauce and charred citrus. For dessert, try the chocolate stout and vanilla bean crème brulee trifle topped with French vanilla whipped cream and chocolate espresso beans."
Craft Beer Week at Dugg Burger
All week long
Dugg Burger will celebrate ACBW with a different daily burger topping that utilizes a local craft beer as an ingredient, featuring beers from Deep Ellum, Community, Grapevine and 903 Brewers. Burger toppings include a Deep Ellum Double Brown Stout mac & cheese, Grapevine Sir William’s Brown Ale mustard and 903 Brewers' Land of Milk and Honey stout-glazed bacon.
Independence Brewing Co. Lower Greenville Pub Crawl
5-9 p.m. Thursday
Starting at Pints and Quarts then moving on to The Bottle Shop and ending at The Libertine Bar, bar crawlers will receive discounted drinks and food at all three locations, then receive a commemorative glass upon completion.
Texas Ale Project's ACBW, Fire Ant-style
Thursday-Saturday
Thursday at 5 p.m., T.A.P. will be serving up Warning Label, a quad IPA that has been dry-hopped with three lbs. of Citra hops. At 6 p.m. Friday, they'll serve a special firkin Tropical Fire Ant take on their amber ale with grapefruit and Simcoe hops, as well as a free glass; The Virgin Olive Food Truck will be there, too. On Saturday starting at 1 p.m., T.A.P. will be serving their sole keg of Imperial Fire Ant, with free tours of the brewery at 2 and 3 p.m. The Tamale Company will be serving up "fire ant tamales, "and attendees can even get a fire ant-themed henna tattoo.
Peticolas Cellarbration
6:30-9 p.m. Thursday
Peticolas opening their brewery and tapping 20(!) different kegs, including Sledge Hammer, The DUKE, Irish Goodbye, Black Curtains, Ghost of Alfred Brown, Operation Collaboration, Come and Take It and many others. Food trucks will be on hand and commemorative glasses will be provided. Tickets are $22.
ACBW National Toast at On Rotation
7 p.m. Thursday
On Rotation will partake in the national ACBW toast scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. The toast is a big part of ACBW, as breweries and taprooms around the country are set to make their toast at the same moment in honor of independent brewers everywhere.
Community Beer Co.'s Texas Helles Launch Party
5-10 p.m. Friday
Launching their new traditional German-style lager, Community's taproom will open at 5 p.m. Friday, and those who purchase a pint of TX Helles will receive a custom glass and koozie.
Oak Highland Brewery Family Night
5-9 p.m. Friday
OHB will have glitter tattoos, food trucks (FreZko Taco Spot, The Butcher's Son, Itsy Bites doughnut truck and more), a movie on the projector, OHB beer and non-alcoholic drinks, lawn games and more.
North Texas Firkin Fest
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday
A celebration of unique Texas craft beer served in traditional casks (or firkins), Firkin Fest will focus on rare and hard-to-get beers from craft breweries in North Texas and across the state. The festival is held at Globe Life Park in Arlington. General admission is $40 and VIP tickets are $80. Tickets include eight three-ounce samples.
Rabbit Hole Brewing's Summer in Wonderland
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
For $16 (VIP is sold out), attendees will be given a taster card with eight five-ounce pours and will be treated to about a dozen Rabbit Hole beers on tap (along with guest brewers), live music, crafts, glassware and custom hats. The event is dog- and kid-friendly.