This week, downtown Raleigh will be all about beer. For real.
The first-ever Raleigh Beer Week will be a celebration of all things beer. The event starts Monday, August 30 and goes through Friday, September 3.
With five of the leaders in the craft beer scene in North Carolina all located in downtown Raleigh (Busy Bee, Landmark, Foundation, The Borough and Flying Saucer), it makes sense for the collaboration to celebrate all things craft brewed. From the ceremonial tapping of the first cask by Mayor Charles Meeker (made especially for RBW 2010), to the arrival of more than 20 breweries from eight states and as far away as Belgium & Germany, the five-day event will prove that Raleigh is "America's Smartest Beer Drinking City."
The festival will include events like the Brewers Forum, an event that brings together some of the biggest names in local brewing and the southeast for an informal round-table discussion. There will also be beer events like food and beer pairings, cask events, full on beer dinners and taste appreciation events with nationally recognized writers.
Organizers worked with breweries and distributors to arrange for dozens of rare and special beers to be kegged and casked for service during Raleigh Beer Week. Allagash Brewing Company sent Blond, Dubbel, Tripel, Black, Four, Fluxus and Curieux to Landmark for the event. New Belgium Brewing Company has sent the members of Raleigh Beer Week rare hits from their "Lips of Faith Series." Dark Heather Saison will be at Flying Saucer, La Folie at Busy Bee, Belgian Golden at the Borough and Wild Ale at Landmark. Foundation will renew your love for N.C. beer by breaking out Sexual Chocolate and others from their private stash.
Check out raleighbeerweek.blogspot.com for the full schedule.
