EVENTS
Aug. 8-12
Great British Beer Festival
London, England
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Great British Beer Festival is the Campaign for Real Ale’s flagship event, bringing hundreds of beers, ciders and perries together with information about CAMRA’s work in protecting English pubs and supporting real ales, not to mention the Champion Beer of Britain competition. This year’s festival will introduce a new English wine section and a new selection of London street food vendors, and will still include the festival’s beloved pub games and brewery bars.
Aug. 10-12
Bend Brewfest
Bend, Oregon
More than 90 breweries and cideries, as well as a selection of wines from the Willamette Valley Vineyards, will be present at this event along the banks of the Deschutes River. Special features of this festival include the Brewtality tent, where patrons can discuss their beverages with the brewers who made them, and the X-tap, a fast-paced rotating pouring station that only serves low-production and rare beers.
Aug. 18-19
Great Lakes Burning River Fest
Cleveland, Ohio
Held at the historic Coast Guard Station along the Lake Erie waterfront, Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Burning River Fest is dedicated to generating funds, raising awareness, and celebrating on account of the region’s freshwater resources. Great Lakes beers will populate the festival alongside Cleveland-area food vendors. Guests can also anticipate a lineup of genre-spanning musical acts and a silent disco.
Aug. 19
Stone 21st Anniversary Celebration
San Marcos, California
Stone Brewing will be joined by J. Wakefield Brewing, Societe Brewing Co., Russian River Brewing Co., Magnolia Brewing Co., and more for its largest annual charitable event, which allows patrons unlimited 2-ounce tastings of over 100 beers from more than 50 breweries. For a ticket upgrade, guests can also enjoy a private tasting with Greg Koch, Stone’s executive chairman and co-founder.
www.stonebrewing.com/events/stone-21st-anniversary-celebration-invitational-beer-festival
Aug. 20-27
D.C. Beer Week
Washington, D.C.
In addition to a smattering of beer and food events in locations across D.C., this festival features educational components on the history of beer in the District, craft beer policy, diversity in craft brewing and more. The D.C. Brewers Guild will celebrate the arrival of the beer week with a kick-off event on Aug. 20. Another major event to note is the Old Ebbitt’s BrewHaHa, a celebration of local beer, food and music that takes place Aug. 26.
RELEASES
Lindemans Brewery
Strawberry Lambic
4.2% | Lambic w/ Natural Strawberry Flavor
The latest addition to this highly popular line of lambics features the aromatic flavor of strawberries alongside the dry and funky complexity of a lambic base. Lindemans’ new release will be available in individual 12-ounce and 750 mL bottles, as well as on draft.
Deschutes Brewery
The Dissident
11% | Oud Bruin
Released earlier than usual this year, the Dissident uses Brettanomyces and local cherries, as well as some fermentation in pinot and cabernet barrels, to give it its distinctive, Flanders-style sour taste. The Dissident will be available in limited quantities in 22-ounce bottles and on draft.
Allagash Brewing Co.
Brett IPA
7.1% | Dry-Hopped Brettanomyces-Fermented IPA
Allagash’s Brett IPA plays on the early history of IPAs, which beer experts estimate to have been naturally inoculated with Brettanomyces during overseas transportation in wooden barrels. The Brettanomyces strain in this beer is more fruit-forward than dry and funky, and is meant to complement the hops for a flavor profile that is pleasantly bitter and tropical. Brett IPA will be available in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles and on limited draft.
Tröegs Independent Brewing
Hop Knife
6.2% | IPA
Made with fresh hops and a dry-hopping device that uses turbulence and cyclone-like movement to maximize infusion, Hop Knife celebrates the flavor of hops harvested in peak season. This deep amber IPA, which carries flavors of citrus rind and “jungle” and tropical aromas, will be available on draft and in six-packs and 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles and cans.