Memphis Beer week began Saturday at Memphis Brewfest and will continue through out the week with multiple beer tasting and sampling events at various bar and breweries throughout Memphis.
With a recent emergence of craft beer and growing popularity in microbrews, every city wants to show off their favorite small town beer and Memphis looks to capitalize on the same trend.
On Tuesday, Memphians can enjoy a five-course beer dinner at the Slider Inn, where they will sample five different brews that paired with the food.
General Manager Jesse Keenan has worked to pair these beers with the food and feels that the right beer can compliment a dish.
“The beer always inspires the food, and contrasting flavors can go really good together” Keenan said. “I tend to choose heavy dark stouts or porters and pair them with ice cream because the cream cuts the high alcohol content.”
Keenan also spoke on what Memphians can expect at the five-course beer dinner.
“You will eat a five course dinner with six beers from six different breweries,” Keenan said. “This time we are using beer from some of the sponsors of beer week.”
The next event is the Cooper Young Tasting Trifecta at Celtic Crossing, Sweet Grass and Young Ave. Deli, were locals can venture around the Cooper-Young district and experience different beers on tap in the Midtown area.
Celtic crossing will host Straight to Ale from Hunstville, Alabama as well as a Monkeynaut IPA. Sweet Grass will showcase Southern Prohibition, a craft beer out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. And Young Ave. Deli will bring the party with local brewery Wise Acre in attendance.
Next, Madison Growler and Bottle Shop will host Samplepoolza Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. This free event will include beer reps from all over the south as well as the four local breweries sampling their craft brews and selling growlers.
Taylor James works as the head of the beer department and feels this is a unique opportunity for people who don’t traditionally drink local beers to try something new.
“This is one of those opportunities to meet the people who work for these breweries who are passionate about their brand,” James said. “ It is just a bunch of beer lovers hanging out and talking.”
James also mentions how craft beer aficionados will get a chance to try more rare beers being sampled.
“The one I am looking forward to is from Abita, a bourbon aged macchiato espresso milk stout cask condition,” James said. “It is super limited so that is the one I am excited about.”
Memphis Beer week will conclude at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art with a celebration of hand crafted beers and foods.
More than 30 breweries will come out to showcase 4 or 5 of their different beers as well as eight restaurants providing their signature item from their menu.
Brewery representatives as well as beer professionals will be at each beer booth to explain beer profiles and provide the story behind the beer and its brand.
For more specifics details, beer loves can find all the info at Memphis-beerweek.com.
