NYC Beer Week Kicks Off In Style

New York City Beer Week kicked off with a bang this weekend. New York craft breweries shared their beers alongside some great out-of-state breweries and everyone brought their A game to the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo. Bronx Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, KelSo and Sixpoint occupied one corner together as City Island Beer, a new brewery based in City Island (they're temporarily contract brewing in Massachusetts) debuted their pale ale. The Bronx Brewery's Black IPA, which debuted a few weeks ago was also on hand. Other locals, like 508 Gastrobrewery, Birreria, Greenport Harbor, Peekskill, and Captain Lawrence, were scattered throughout the building. Meanwhile some out-of-town breweries like Allagash, Dogfish Head, and many others served up samples throughout the entire space. Jeremy Cowan, founder of Shmaltz Brewing Company and New York City Brewers Guild (the force behind the entire week) president spoke to the crowd, explaining that this New York City Beer Week marked the first time all the breweries in New York had combined their efforts for a huge "ridiculous" event to promote the greatness that is New York City craft brewing. Later in the evening, 508 Gastrobrewery brewer Chris Cuzme would pick up his saxophone and serenade us all to end the night. It was a great launch to what promises to be a solid week of beer-centric events.

A few highlights in the week to come:

Monday, Feb. 25 Ladies' Choice at Taproom 307

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets: Pay as you go

Craft beers were carefully selected by local female brewers and other women in the beer industry for this event and beer sommelier Hayley Jensen will be on hand to pour.

Wednesday, Feb. 27 Brewers' Choice at City Winery

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tickets: $75

Get a taste of a selection of high-quality craft beers from across the country each paired with eats from some of New York's top chefs.

Thursday, Feb. 28 Queens Showcase at Sunswick 35/35

Starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets: Pay as you go

Get a taste of Queens and sample craft brews from the boroughs newest (and only) breweries: Singlecut Beersmiths, Rockaway Brewing, Bridge, and Tunnel Brewing.

Saturday, March 1 aPORKalypse at Ale Wife

12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets: $40 per session Talented New York City-based chefs prepare ten pigs to be paired with some of the best local craft beers available.

Sunday, March 2 Closing Party at Birreria

Tickets: Pay as you go

Make a reservation and get a table to wind down Beer Week on Sunday. Several great local breweries will be featured alongside Birreria's own craft selections.