Where to Celebrate NYC Beer Week

NYC Beer Week is nearly upon us, and the festival calendar continues to fill with amazing offerings around the city. From February 21 to March 2 New York will be the home to an international crowd of beer lovers, who will be celebrating the craft at tap takeovers, tastings, and beer-paired dinners. During the 10-day festival, you’ll find new release beers flowing, kegs flown in from around the world, and beer experts exchanging notes and pours.

Here are some of the the most enticing events in the lineup:

The Opening Bash, Grand Central Terminal , East 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, February 21, 7 p.m.
Celebrants will gather in Vanderbilt Hall to sample over 30 rare beers. Snacks from places like Murray’s Cheese and Whole Foods will be served alongside the brews.

The Brooklyn Brewery Mash Bash with Dinner Lab, Brooklyn Brewery, 79 North 11th Street, Brooklyn, 718-486-7422, February 22, 8 p.m.
Beer, dinner, and a dance party: What more could you need? Brooklyn Brewery chef Andrew Gerson will host the dinner alongside Dinner Lab’s Francisco Robert and Zack Dworsky, as well as chef Hiyaw Gebreyohannes.

CASKALOT: A Festive Celebration of NYC Cask Conditioned Ales, 508 Gastrobrewery, 508 Greenwich Street, 212-219-2444, February 23, 2 p.m.
During one of two sessions, get a three-hour pass to try as many of the tapped cask beers as you’d like at 508 Gastrobrewery. Casks will include a black pale ale made with mangoes by Bronx Brewery and Sixpoint’s Otis, an oatmeal stout.

Taproom 307’s Second Annual Women in Beer Event, 307 Third Avenue, 212-725-4766, February 24, 6 p.m.
Beer sommelier Hayley Jensen will host the ladies-only get-together where women can sample 40 drafts either brewed or sold by women. “Any girl who likes beer should come out and have fun with us,” says Jensen.

Dogfish Head Tap Take-Over, The Pony Bar, 637 Tenth Avenue, 212-586-2707, February 25
All Tuesday, 20 drafts plus one case of rare and revered Dogfish beers will be poured at this Hell’s Kitchen beer bar. Vintage selections and specials will also be available.

Happy Hour for Beer Union’s Book Release, Jimmy’s No. 43, 43 East 7th Street, 212-982-3006, February 27, 4 p.m.
Celebrate the release of Beer Lover’s New York: The Empire State’s Best Breweries, Brewpubs and Beer Bars. Meet the authors, get your book signed, and throw back some fresh brews, including KelSo Edible Ale red rye IPA and Cabernet-aged rauchbier.

New York Brewer’s Convention Party, New York Beer Company, 321 West 44th Street, 212-245-2337, February 28, 6 p.m.
A number of top-notch New York brewers will attend this party and bring along their best pours. Look for Bronx Brewery, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Brewery Ommegang, Blue Point Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, Empire Brewing Company, and more.

Keep in mind, this is only a limited list of the hundreds of events and venues partaking in this annual celebration. For a full calendar, check out the New York City Brewer’s Guild site. Ongoing tap takeovers will be going on around the city. In short, New York will quickly become a beer lover’s playground.