Mixology night: Port City Brewing Company hosts mixology night at Brookland’s Finest on Monday from 6 to 9. Vote for your favorite beer ($8) among the fourteen brews offered. Beer cocktails ($10) will also be served. Each ale comes with a suggested food pairing like porchetta or Brussels sprout chips. Prices vary for food. Reservations are not required.
Oyster-fest: Pinea in the W Hotel on Tuesday from 5 to 9 on its patio. The lineup of shellfish includes oyster shooters, grilled oysters and bivalves on the half-shell. There is no charge for admission, but guests can RSVP online.
Eat local: Urbana and FRESHFARM Markets team up on Tuesday for a locavore dinner and cocktails. Chef Ethan McKee creates a meal with ingredients from the Dupont FreshFarm Market and Urbana’s rooftop garden. The evening benefits the launch of the FoodPrints Program at Francis Stevens Elementary. Tickets ($95) can be purchased online.
Sake tasting: The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Grand Sake Tasting heads to Carnegie Library on Wednesday from 7 to 9. Nineteen breweries from Japan offer tastings of their craft beverages. Local restaurants like SEI and KAZ Sushi Bistro serve bites. Tickets ($100 for general admission and $150 for VIP) are available online.
Chef-y benefit: Head to Carnegie Library on Thursday from 6 to 9:30 for Chefs Take a Stand, an annual gala in support of domestic violence victims. Sample specialities from toques across the city like Jennifer Costa of Centrolina and Ris Lacoste. A silent auction will also be a part of the event. Tickets ($125 for the main event and $195 for the additional VIP reception) are available online.
Taste of Georgetown: One of the biggest neighborhood food festivals, Taste of Georgetown, returns to the Waterfront on Saturday from 11 to 4. Over 30 restaurants in the neighborhood provide dishes, while drinkers can relax in the craft beer and wine garden. Kids activities will take place throughout the day. Proceeds benefit Georgetown Ministry Center. Admission is free; tickets for food samplings ($20 for five tastes) are available online.
Oktoberfest drinking: Capitol City Brewing Company hosts its 16th annual Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday from 12 to 7 at the Shirlington location. This festival, considered the largest Oktoberfest extravaganza in Northern Virginia, brings together live German music, Bavarian eats, and samples from over 65 breweries. The admission fee ($30) includes a tasting glass and 10 tasting tickets; additional tickets are $2 each, purchased in bundles of five.
Serbian celebration: Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Serbian culture on Friday from 5 to 8pm and Saturday from 11am to 9pm. Traditional dishes like baked cheese pies and spit-roasted pig will be served, along with regional beers. Admission is free; food and drinks are priced individually.
Taste of Bethesda: The 26th annual Taste of Bethesda festival goes down on Saturday from 11 to 4, with over 60 participating restaurants and five stages for live entertainment. A classic car show will also be taking place, and there are family-friendly activities like face painting. Tickets ($5 for four tastings) are available on-site.
Oddball brews: Head to Denizens Brewing Co. on Saturday from 1 to 5 for the Make It Funky Wild Beer Fest. Over 60 sour and funky beers from 21 breweries are available to sample, alongside food truck fare from the likes of Dirty South Deli and Go Fish. The festival is held in the brewery’s outdoor beer garden. Tickets ($50) can be purchased online, and include unlimited samples.
Butcher of the year: Ever wanted to prepare a whole pig? Chef Victor Albisu of Del Campo leads a butchery class covering the basics. Learn how t
o properly maintain knives, and essentials for preparing large cuts of beef, lamb, and pork. Finish the course with a leisurely lunch paired with wine. Tickets ($98) are available online.
BBQ Fest: Cochon 555’s Heritage Barbecue, a traveling ‘cue competition, comes to Washington on Sunday at Union Market. Five chefs such as Nick Stefanelli (Masseria) and Graffiato’s Jose Adorno go knife-to-knife, preparing a whole pig for a panel of judges and the public. Another set of top toques will host demos, while barkeeps pair specialty cocktails, whiskeys, wines, and beers with the meats. Tickets ($100 for general admission and $200 for VIP) are available online.
