Free smoothie day: All of the Smoothie King shops in the Washington area are offering a free 12-ounce Caribbean Way smoothie (strawberries, bananas, papaya juice blend) from 11 am on 7 pm on Tuesday. We know what you’re thinking; sadly, there’s a one-per-customer limit.
Bar tending throw-down: Cheer for your favorite DC mixologists while they shake and stir at the traveling Ultimate Bartender Championship on Tuesday from 5 to 9 pm at Provision No. 14. Bartenders compete in six rounds of drink-making such as the “mixiodic table,” where bartenders have to decode the ingredients from 20 recipes and provide the proper cocktail name. It’s like a gameshow for drink-making, and it’s free to watch.
Red, white and brew: There’s no better way to support American-made beer than drinking it. The second annual Red, White + Brew celebration on Thursday brings together 3 Stars Brewing Company, Atlas Brew Works, DC Brau, and Port City Brewing Company for a night of craft beer and locally-grown food. The event is from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Charlie Palmer Steak. Tickets are $65 and include unlimited beer and selected food.
Ramp and beer dinner: Calling all ramp lovers: on Friday at 7 pm, chef Danny Wells and cicerone/bar manager Brett Robison of Republic will host a five-course meal starring wild leeks, paired with five local beers. For example, one course features pork tenderloin with gnocchi and ramp-almond pesto. paired with Smoke on the Waterfront by Jailbreak Brewing Company. Tickets are $75; reservations can be made by calling Republic at 301-270-3000.
Biking for beer: New Belgium Brewing Company’s traveling celebration of bike culture is coming to Yards Park on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The Tour de Fat goes down during DC’s Really Big Bike Weekend, and includes a costumed bike ride, live music, a car-for-bike swap, and lots of New Belgium beer (featuring Fat Tire, of course). The event is free, and all proceeds from beer and merchandise will go to organizations like Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Black Women Bike DC, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, and more.
Fit foodie run: What better way to celebrate a 5K than with food? The Fit Foodie Race kicks off on Saturday in Fairfax’s Mosaic District. After burning some calories during the 5K, you’ll get access to cooking demonstrations and tastings from celebrity chefs and editors of Cooking Light. The day before, try cocktails and snacks at the “Party With a Purpose.” Registration is $75 and closes on Thursday.
Tiki pig roast at Del Campo: Watch ten DC bartenders compete in a tiki cocktail competition and dig into a full pig roast on the Del Campo rooftop on Sunday from noon to 6 pm. Guests will wash down Victor Albisu’s roast pig with bottomless tiki punch for $65. If you’re really in the island spirit, wear a Tiki-inspired outfit for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Cocktail Kingdom.
Greta started as an editorial fellow in January 2016 and joined as a full-time staff member that August. She now works as a web producer and writer. She was previously an intern at Slate and National Geographic and graduated from the University of Missouri’s Journalism School. She lives in Adams Morgan.
