As mentioned in Hophead a couple of weeks back, this week (May 17 to 23) is American Craft Beer Week.
That item already mentioned the Texas Craft Brewers Festival Saturday
night at the Dancing Bear Pub in Waco, but there are a few other ways
to celebrate closer to home.
This effort by the Brewers Association seeks to highlight the
importance of the small but growing craft beer movement. Also, unlike
National Masturbation Month and National Hamburger Month, American
Craft Beer Week is more than just a marketing campaign -- it even has a
House of Representatives resolution (H.R. 1297) recognizing the
importance and supporting the goals of small and independent brewers.
Of course, you can always support craft brewers by buying their product
at better retailers such as Whole Foods, Central Market, Hall's Grocery
in Colleyville, Goody Goody and other grocery or liquor stores. And by
"craft brewers," we're not talking about Anheuser-Busch or Molson-Coors
products intended to pass themselves off as craft beers, such as Shock
Top or Blue Moon.
Another great way to support craft brewers, of course, is to support the bars and restaurants that offer their products. After the jump are a few American Craft Beer Week events.
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse (multiple locations)
"Seven Beers for Seven Days," beer and dinner for $14.95. Remaining meals: Tuesday, 5/18 - Harvest Hefeweizen + Balsamic Glazed Chicken; Wednesday, 5/19 - Piranha Pale Ale + Cajun Pasta; Thursday, 5/20 - BJ's Jeremiah Red + Small Pepperoni & Mushroom Pizza; Friday, 5/21 - Nutty Brewnette + Grilled Chicken Pasta; Saturday, 5/22 - BJ's P.M. Porter + Texas-Style Chicken Fried Steak; Sunday, 5/23 - Tatonka Stout + Small Sweet Pig Pizza.
Flying Saucer on the Lake
American craft beers featured in daily $2.75 "Fire Sale." Remaining specials: Tuesday: Harpoon. Wednesday: Dogfish Head. Thursday: Stone. Friday: Live Oak. Saturday: Boulevard. Sunday: Saint Arnold.
Ginger Man Dallas
Limited release beers daily through Thursday. Pre-set craft beer flights for $15 (including soft pretzel) featuring drafts and rare bottles, through Sunday. Rare beer tasting 7 p.m. Thursday for $25, with reservations recommended.
Holy Grail Pub, Plano
Offering Texas-brewed draft beers for $3 a pint during Craft Beer Week.
Humperdink's Addison
Tapping a keg of Big Daddy Bourbon Brown Ale.
Humperdink's Arlington
Tapping a 1/2 bbl. keg of The Chocolator Reserve chocolate double bock. Brewery tours available 5:30 to 7 p.m. today (Tuesday, May 18).
Humperdink's Northwest Highway
Tapping a 1/2 barrel keg of 2009 Oak Aged Maibock.
Humperdink's Greenville Avenue
Tapping a 1/2 barrel keg of Vanilla Porter. Brewery tours available 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 19.
Humperdink's Richardson
Tapping a keg of Big Daddy Bourbon Brown Ale.
The Libertine Bar
Boulevard Brewing Company Tank 7 and North Coast Scrimshaw Pils Pint Night, 7 p.m. Thursday.
Meddlesome Moth
Daily $4 pints featuring craft brewers. Tapping Real Ale ESB firkin at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Know of another restaurant or bar observing American Craft Beer Week? By all means, add it in the comments.
