Best Weekend Food Events: NYC Beer Week Kicks Off, and an Epic Bloody Mary Battle

2016 NYC Beer Week, Multiple Locations, Friday through February 28

The annual NYC Beer Week is packed with so much frothy excitement that hop heads will have ten whole days to experience it all. On Friday, Randolph Beer will tap a special keg of New York State–made IPA, with additional special beers available throughout the week. On Sunday, DBGB is hosting a panel discussion featuring Kelly Taylor of KelSo Brewery and Brooklyn Brewery’s Garrett Oliver compete with beer and snacks for $25 per person (reserve here). Additional locations and events worth seeking out include a hot dog eating championship at Jimmy’s No. 43 and a proper pour class at Bierocracy.

Battle of the Bloody Mary’s, L’Apicio,  13 East 1st Street, Saturday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This bloody battle is the perfect alternative to your usual bottomless brunch. On Saturday, fourteen participating restaurants, including Rebelle and Blue Smoke, will serve up their secret blends, with both attendees and judges voting for their favorites. Brunch-themed snacks will also be served. Tickets start at $55 and can be reserved here.

Burger and Wine Festival, Harlem Shake, 100 West 124 Street, Saturday, 4 p.m.

Find the perfect wine pairing for burgers, fried chicken, and even a bacon-wrapped hot dog. Pompette Wines is curating select parings for six of Harlem’s Shake’s menu items, with a port-chocolate milkshake for dessert. Wine varietals include pinot noir, shiraz, and riesling among others. Tickets are $45; reserve them here.

PITH Pop-Up, The Bronx Brewery,  856 E. 136th Street, Bronx, Saturday, 7:30pm

You’ve heard about Jonah Reider — the Columbia student who operates a pop-up restaurant out of his dorm room. Thus far, it’s been hard to get a seat at his campus venture, but for one night only, he’ll be serving up dinner at the Bronx Brewery. The meal will include a tasting of pale ales paired with each of the menu’s four courses. Additionally, the event will feature unique lighting and sound designed to enhance the senses during the dining experience. Tickets are $50 per person.

Lowline Winter DayLife Pop-Up Food Festival, Lowline Lab, 140 Essex Street, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Essex Market continues its 75th anniversary celebration with a food party at the Lowline Lab, a virtual underground park that acts as a lab for lighting and horticulture experiments. A selection of the market’s beloved stalls — including Saxelby Cheesemongers, Arancini Bros., and Osaka Grub — will be offering select menu items. The event is free to attend and all participating restaurants will offer a cash-only menu.