Philly Beer Week Starts Tonight

Philly Beer Week is back with a vengeance. Last year we provided a roundup of everything happening in our backyard, but this time PBW took the lead and made you a schedule that can be found here.

We still definitely encourage getting into downtown proper (or beyond!) for some of the better events. After all, Sips isn't for 6 days; there's a whole lot of brew to consume until then.

After the jump, a sampling of things you simply must do for the week. And by must do, we either mean they genuinely look awesome, or they sound absolutely absurd. You decide which is which.

Friday, June 3rd

Brew N History Tour Christ Church Burial Ground, 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm It's a walking tour that involves beer, or any history major's dream.

Philly Beer Week Opening Tap Independence Visitor Center, 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm For those into the whole tradition of the Week, the official kickoff is here and it involves something called a "Hammer of Glory."

Saturday, June 4th

Brew Works Pajama Jammy Jam Brunch Tap House, 11:00 am - 03:00 pm We’re not sure if PJ attire is mandatory, but the folks from Brewworks and a DJ will be there. Plus, drunch at Tap House is always awesome.

Dead Presidents with Yards Brewing The Grey Lodge Pub, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm We don't get it, but apparently dead presidents will make appearances so that's cool.

And today, winning the absurd awards...

Lefthand Arm Wrestling Tournament South Philly Tap Room, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Because this is just the most South Philly thing we've ever heard of.

The Inaugural LudaCrismas

Jose Pistola's, 10:00 pm - 2:00 am We'll just give you their own description in full:

Ho Ho Yo! D.J. Danphonic spinnin' old school hip hop and r&b.  A live thrashing of the microphone by the new artists on Triple XXXMAS Records, "Francinsense & Murder"  We'll be sippin on St. Fueillien Xmas, Scaldis Noel, Troegs Mad Elf, Dupont Avec Les Bon Voeux, and more.  Presents for everybody!  Get your christmas cookie on! Hip Hop Hooray Ho Ho Ho!

The Philly Food Experiment World Cafe Live, 12:00 pm - 04:00 pm This is a cheese cookoff that features beer. See also: the perfect combo.

2nd Annual Beer Cocktail Competition Smokin' Betty's, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Held at Smokey Joe's sister's place  (Get it? Smokin' Betty? We're really sorry), this event features cocktails made with beer. You know, in case you were getting sick of plain beer.

Monday, June 6th

Flights and Finger Foods with Coronado Brewing Co. Prohibition Tap Room, 12:00 pm - 2:00 am We're suckers for events that involve food, especially the little tiny kind.

Stillwater Experimental Cocktails with Brian Strumke The Farmer's Cabinet, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm If the beer-cocktails on Sunday didn't do it for you, this is an experiment in making cocktails that... taste like beer?

We Have Nugget Nectar - They Don't. The Irish Pol, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm What the hell is this? Let's go.

Tuesday, June 7th

Philly Beer Week's Forum of the Gods Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm For the intellectual imbiber, this beer-drinking comes with a side of talking about beer.

Keep The Glass Night with Leffe Blonde Khyber Pass Pub, 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Free glasses for poor college kids!

Taco Tuesday Nodding Head Brewery, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Taco taco taco taco taco.

Wednesday, June 8th

With Love Beer Garden - Dock Street With Love Beer Garden, Four Seasons, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm  If you check-in on Foursquare or Facebook, you get a free koozie. This is also apparently the PBW headquarters.

Philadelphia Brewing Company "Meet the Drivers" Philadelphia Brewing Co., 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm No really, this is literally an event where you meet beer delivery people.

Monastery of Christ in The Dessert Monk's Cafe, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm This is one of the only pay-as-you-go events at Monk's (aka not supremely out of anyone's college price range), so we'd recommend this simply so you get a chance to go to the epic beer establishment.

Meet Jennifer Yuengling McGillin's Old Ale House, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Can you say celeb status? Sign our beer bong!

Thursday, June 9th

Philadelphia Night Market featuring The Blockley Beer Garden Blockley, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm The event is free to get into, features cheap samplings from ethnic restaurants and food trucks, and Blockley will have a beer garden. Hooray West Philly!

Special Philly on Tap Walking Tour and Open Party Philadelphia Urban Adventures, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm For $30 you can take a beer-centric walking tour of Philly. Tonight's edition apparently features rare beers.

Vegan Food (and Beer) Dinner Memphis Tap Room, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Vegan beer? Now make us a beer without calories!

Friday, June 10

Bum Beer? McCrossen's Tavern, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm You could schlep to Spring Garden for this bad-beer-on-purpose event, or you could just visit one of our many fraternities right on campus.

The Leftorium with Left Hand Khyber Pass Pub, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Certain managing editors may or may not be left-handed and therefore feel honor-bound to include this event.

Saturday, June 11th

HITACHINO Benefit Brunch The Farmer's Cabinet, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm All proceeds go to the "B. United International Special Disaster Relief Fund."

Big Boozy Beer Brunch at Varga Bar Varga Bar, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm In case you needed drunch options.

PBC Fried Chicken Run South Philadelphia Tap Room, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm  Seriously, not a single South Philly event makes sense.

Cricket Hill Brewery BBQ Delilah's Gentleman's Club and Steakhouse, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm This is a barbecue at a strip club. With beer.

Sunday, June 13th

Kegs, Eggs and BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl) Prohibition Tap Room, 12:00 pm - 1:00 am 20% off if you bring your own vinyl record, Pi Lam.

Dock Street Philly Beer Week Music Festival Dock Street Brewery, 2:00 pm - 06:00 pm  Local musicians and beer in our own backyard. Yes, please.

Ladies Beer Tea The Belgian Cafe, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm This is like Sunday brunch at Metro with the girls, only way better.