Philly Beer Week Top 5: Beer Dinners

Like it or not, you’re going to have to eat during Philly Beer Week, and just getting brunch isn’t going to cut it.  But, you will be able to continue to enjoy your beer as you eat with a variety of beer dinners that will pair your favorite fermented beverage with what is sure to be delicious food.  With the events listed below, you’re going to have a hard time going wrong with these best-of-both-worlds options.

Local Draft Beer vs Local Draft Wine at London Grill
Sunday, June 3 | 5:00 – 10:00pm | $45
In their 2^nd year pitting beer vs. wine, London Grill will offer a three course menu for $45, which includes beer pairings from Weyerbacher as well as wine pairings from Galen Glen.  Diners will receive a scorecard with which to vote for who they like better.  Weyerbacher will have some specialty beers available (including a black sour aged in Chaddsford Pinot Noir barrels) and Galen Glen will offer two wines on draft as well as specialty bottles.  Brewer Chris Wilson will be in attendance, as will Sarah and Galen from the winery.  The perfect opportunity to pit your favorite beverages against each other, talk about them, and meet the people who make them.

Iron Hill Beer Dinner at Good Dog
Sunday, June 3 | 6:00 – 9:00pm | $TBA
Not much has been announced from Good Dog yet, but this dinner is sure to be a hit.  There will be five brewers from five different Iron Hills, who will each bring a beer to pair with a course.  Revel in your glorious dinner as you get five brewers, five beers, and five courses.  Iron Hill has great beer and Good Dog has solid food, so this is a great match.

Philly Brewers Beer Dinner at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Chestnut Hill
Monday, June 4 | 7:00 – 9:00pm | $75
In what appears to be an opposite event of the one Good Dog is putting on, Iron Hill is also doing a five-course meal, but inviting in five brewers from around American’s Best Beer Drinking City to pair with each course.  Each brewery—Dock Street, Manayunk, Nodding Head, Triumph and Yards—will be represented by a brewer to present their beer at the beginning of each course.  Reservations are required and seats will go fast.

Cooking with Beer Bootcamp at Kennett Restaurant
Tuesday, June 5 | 7:00 – 10:00pm | $60
Not only will you be treated to a three-course dinner from talented chef Brian Ricci paired with Yards brews, you’ll also be treated to a 90-minute instructional session on how to cook with beer.  That’s right! You’ll learn how to brine cuts of meat, deglaze sautéed veggies, prepare a dressing for oysters, and make a dessert—all with beer.  Seating is limited and reservations are necessary, so don’t hesitate to sign up.

The Maine Event at Memphis Taproom
Tuesday, June 5 | 7:00 – 10:00pm | $85
Special guest Rob Tod of Allagash Brewing will be visiting Memphis for this dinner, which will be held in their outdoor beer garden.  There will be seven Allagash beers available while you enjoy a Maine family-style feast from native Mainer and excellent chef Jesse Kimball.  The Allagash available will be Saison Mihm, Interlude, Victor, Victoria, Black, White and Odyssey.  And did we mention you get to meet Rob Tod?

Photo courtesy of Stephen Lyford.