From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com. 

DC Beer Week will feature offerings at four venues in Dupont-Logan. (Luis Gomez Photos)

The time has come to celebrate beer’s growing community – and popularity – in the District. And with more than 180 separate events in the course of one week, DC Beer Week will accomplish just that.

The fourth annual DC Beer Week runs August 12 to 18, and the week will include everything from panel discussions to beer dinners, happy hours and a craft beer dinner cruise on the Potomac.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening in the neighborhood:

• Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe  on Connecticut Avenue NW (just north of Dupont Circle) will host the Third Annual Brooklyn Brawl, a beer and cheese tasting event featuring seven selections by Brooklyn Brewery. The Brawl will take place on Monday, August 13 from 6 until 10 pm. Themed flight prices are $21 or $22; the full tasting flight is $53.
• Hank’s Oyster Bar at 1624 Q Street NW will celebrate with the Evolution Beer Dinner on Tuesday, August 14 at 7 pm. Evolution Craft Brewing Company will be on-hand to pair beers with a five-course meal. Tickets are $70. Seating is limited so please call (202) 462-4265 after 5 pm for reservations.
• Big Hunt (1345 Connecticut Avenue NW) and ChurchKey (1337 14th Street NW) are both hosting several events throughout the week, including craft brew debut parties. For more information, visit the list of events.

For more information visit the DC Beer Week website and follow the celebration on Twitter (@DCBeerWeek).

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Pizza Paradiso’s Dupont location has a special Christmas Beer list. (Alejandra Owens)

From Michelle Lancaster. Follow her and tell her your news on Twitter @MichLancaster or email her at michellel@borderstan.com.

If you are sticking around DC for the holidays, grab some pie and check out the Dupont outpost of the local pizza chain, Pizza Paradiso. They have just unveiled their Christmas beer list, which is not available at their other locations.

There’s a great selection of spicy, interesting brews that don’t taste like potpourri like some other brewers. And if you are determined to be a Scrooge, I bet an 11% beer or two will cure you of that sullenness. I can only imagine the ghosts that show up after that drinking session.

The Dupont location is 2023 P Street NW.

Sunday is the Hip Hop Bar Crawl with six participating U Street bars, from Tabaq to Queen Makeda. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Laura Herman of LauraLikesThis. Laura is also a contributor over at Brightest Young Things and you can find her on Twitter @Lmhhabs. Email her at laura@borderstan.com.

Happy weekend, Borderstan! Here are my top picks for what to do in and around the neighborhood this weekend.

Friday, August 19

• Head over to Black Cat for the inaugural Friday Night Frights of the season, featuring two episodes of Tales From the Crypt and drink specials every Friday from 7 pm to 8:30. Spooky scary.
• Beer Week is also still in full swing. Check out Alejandra’s local guide for more info on where to drink this weekend.

The Studio Theater, 1501 14th Street NW: “POP!” has been extended again. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Laura Herman of LauraLikesThis. Laura is also a contributor over at Brightest Young Things and you can find her on Twitter @Lmhhabs.

Words cannot describe now excited I am for le weekend. Two days to breathe, hang out, do whatever you want. Admittedly, my weekend is going to be as hermit-like and low-key as possible as I recover from a whirlwind week and prepare for DC Beer Week and DC Summer Restaurant Week next week, but there’s still tons going on.

This is what I plan on leaving the house for… Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, August 12

New Borderstan hotspot, Blackbyrd (2005 U Street NW), a raw bar and drinks spot brought to you by the folks behind Marvin and American Ice Co. etc., is a great place to start your night. I went last week after the GiltCityDC Yeasayer at 9:30 Club show and am now a huge fan. Think: Marvin’s classy older sister with lots of booths, high-top tables and a good wine list. Great cozy spot for a nightcap after a night out on U Street OR catch their $1 oysters at happy hour through 7 pm as you’re just getting your night started.

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DC Beer Week 2010 at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. (Alejandra Owens)

From Alejandra Owens. You can find her on Twitter at @frijolita and her food blog One Bite At A Time.

DC Beer Week is upon us once again, and this year it’s bigger and better than last year. It starts this Sunday the 14th and runs through the 20th.

Last year I attended the Brooklyn Brewery event at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe where they paired beers of all sorts with cheeses. Not only was everything delicious, but it was out of the norm for food or wine events I usually attend.

Despite being a wine and liquor drinker, the beers actually piqued my interest. Over the last year I’ve sought out more and more beers to try and it has me looking forward to a few Beer Week events this year!

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