Inaugural Raleigh Beer Week Kicks Off Next Week

August, 24, 2010 , by Ladye Jane

It was beginning to seem like every city around the country had a Beer Week celebration but Raleigh (I mean, even Charlotte’s got one). Fortunately, folks behind some of Raleigh’s downtown bars and restaurants decided to change that and bring us the inaugural Raleigh Beer Week all next week, August 30-September 3, 2010.

Since this is being billed as an “inaugural” event, looks like we can look forward to this being a recurring event downtown that can only continue to grow. For this first year, there are beer dinners, special cask nights, brewer talks, and to start it all off, Mayor Meeker tapping the first keg opening night.

Beer Week Schedule:

Monday, August 30
6:00 pm - Aviator Cask Event at The Borough: Inaugural Raleigh Beer Week kicks off with Mayor Meeker tapping the Aviator cask of Dark Horizon Black IPA infused with jalapeno. They’ll also be breaking out a case of a very special brew from Founders that they’ve been hanging onto for a while. I hear the Carolina Rollergirls will be there too.

9:00 pm - Bells Cask Event at Landmark Tavern: It’s a night of ‘Cask Ale Appreciation’ with a cask of Bells Two Hearted Ale and Julie Johnson from All About Beer Magazine.

Tuesday, August 31
7:00 pm - Beer Dinner at the Busy Bee Cafe: Join Brian Ewing of 12 % Imports and the boys at the Busy Bee to celebrate the beers of De Dochter Van de Korenaar. 5 beers, 5 courses, $50. With events like this, it’s no wonder Draft Magazine named the Bee one of the Top 150 Beer Bars in the country.

9:00 pm - Beer Cocktails at Foundation: Join Drew Shepherd and crew for a night of beer cocktails. All North Carolina brews and domestic spirits, mixed by the expert Foundation bartenders.

Wednesday, September 1
7:00 pm - Brooklyn Beer Dinner at The Flying Saucer: Join Steve Hindy, co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery, for a night of food & brews. Enjoy a 5 course dinner paired with 5 beers. Also in attendance is Daniel Bradford from All About Beer magazine. Tickets are $40 if you’re a UFO member, $50 if you’re not, and can be purchased at the Saucer.

9:00 pm - Cask Night at The Borough: Stop by to enjoy a cask of dry hopped French Broad’s ESB. The Borough is working in conjunction with The Flying Saucer’s beer dinner that Wednesday. Every ticket to the Saucer’s beer dinner will include a pint of the ESB, so save your tickets and bring them to The Borough.

Thursday, September 2
7:00 pm - Brewers Forum at the Busy Bee: Join Spike Buckowski from Terrapin Brewing Co, Sean Wilson from Fullsteam, and others for a panel discussion on brewing and the beer industry.

9:00 pm - Ballast Point Cask Night at The Flying Saucer: The folks at the Saucer will be tapping an uber rare cask of Black Marlin Porter with cocoa nibs.

Friday, September 3
6:00 pm - Cask at the Landmark Tavern: Join Darren Quinlan of Coney Island/ Schmaltz Brewing to tap a special brew.

More details are to come closer to the start date, so check the Raleigh Beer Week blog and Facebook page for more info.

See the Busy Bee page.