Philadelphia is a beer drinker's city. If the several craft breweries in the area and great beer bars aren't enough to convince you, just look at Philly Beer Week. Technically 10 days long, Philly Beer Week features hundreds of events ranging from festivals with 100 brews in one spot to individual brewer meet-and-greets to tastings and specials all over the city. There are about 1,000 events over the course of Philly Beer Week 2010, but I've sifted through to provide some suggestions:
2010 Philly Beer Week Recommendations
June 4: First Friday at the Chemical Heritage Foundation
Most of the first-day press is for the Opening Tap (getting to see a keg tapped with a giant ceremonial hammer is pretty tempting), but first check out the Chemical Heritage Foundation's beer-focused First Friday offering starting at 5 p.m. A collaboration with West Philly's Dock Street, the evening will focus on the science behind beer – complete with tastings.
June 5: German Bierfest
Enjoy entertainment, several German beers and an outdoor biergatden at this kid-friendly, pay-as-you-go festival.
June 6: Beers and the Bike Race
Catch the Manayunk Bike Race and drink great beer at the Olde Eagle Tavern, which will feature Ommegang and Great Lakes beers and giveaways on bike-race day.
June 7: Colonial Tavern Tour
Philadelphia's beer history goes back to the days before America split from Britain. Learn about the city's rich beer heritage during this walking tour of Old City with brewery historian Rich Wagner. Tastings included.
June 8: Beer-Pouring Contest at the Black Sheep
Starting at 7 p.m., test the steadiness of your hand (or just learn how to pour a beer). Features beer specials.
June 9: Lambic Summit
If a bar crawl seems like a little too much for a Wednesday, keep things low-key and downright educational at the Lambic Summit, where you can taste Belgian brews and learn about lambics from two of the best Belgian brewers.
June 10: Bar Ferdinand Tasting Menu with Beer Pairings
Bar Ferdinand has one of the best weekly tasting menus in Philadelphia; this week, enjoy it with specially paired beers from the Roy Pitz Brewing Company.
June 11: World Beer Cup Winners with Joe Sixpack
Join the beer columnist from the Daily News for this free tasting of World Beer Cup winners. Runs from 4 – 6 p.m.
June 12: Clone Brew Wars
At this loosely Star Wars-themed event, home brewers compete to see who can make the best clones of beers from popular craft breweries. Your ticket to the event gives you "judge" status, allowing you to vote for the most successful clone.
June 13: Flying Fish Beer Dinner at Amada
Wrap up the week by enjoying tapas paired with beers from Flying Fish's new and well-regarded Exit Series, featuring beers named for exits on the New Jersey turnpike.