The 2nd annual Columbus Craft Beer Week kicks off this Friday, and with more than 280 events taking place over nine days all across Columbus, you may be just a little overwhelmed with options. (My liver has been cowering in fright for days.)

To help ease the craft beer craziness, I’ve picked my top five events — that aren’t already sold out — for each day of Columbus Craft Beer Week. But don’t take my word for it – pick up a copy of the Columbus Craft Beer Week program at any official venue or peruse all the events online. Happy Beer Weeking!

Friday, May 13

Craft Beer Week Kickoff Party
Grandview Yard Market District, 5-10pm
A massive assortment of beers from across the street and across the country will be available to sample at the official kickoff party for Columbus Craft Beer Week, including the first chance to try the official CCBW collaboration beer, Saison 994, brewed in conjunction with 16 local breweries.
→ Facebook event

Columbus Ale Trail Volume 2 Launch Party
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 4-8pm
Hang out with the organizers of the Columbus Ale Trail (including yours truly), pick up your copy of the Volume 2 Columbus Ale Trail book, and get your first stamp toward victory from Wolf’s Ridge! You’ll get a sneak peek at the reward for completing Volume 2, a custom deck of playing cards featuring all participating local breweries.
→ Facebook event

Infusapalooza! (TM)
The Daily Growler Upper Arlington, 4-10pm
The Daily Growler is bringing together an astounding 24 limited edition infused beers, 22 of which are from Ohio breweries, and 11 of which are from Columbus. The Barrel & Boar Food Truck will also be on-site.
→ Facebook event

Founders Meet & Greet and KBS Blowout
Pies & Pints Short North
Founders co-founder Dave Engbers and brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki will be hanging out and drinking beer at Pies & Pints while KBS, Blushing Monk, Project Pam and other Founders favorites are flowing from the taps.
→ Facebook event

Kitten Party/Tiger Party
Actual Brewing Company, 6pm-12am
Actual is bringing a bucket of adoptable kittens from Cozy Cat Cottage to their brewery for us all to snuggle. This “Kitten Party” will take place until 9pm when the “tiger party” takes over. I’m still not completely sure what “tiger party” means, but I think it has something to do with dancing.
→ Facebook event

Saturday, May 14

13th Annual Mini Real Ale Fest
Smokehouse Brewing Company, 12-3pm
Smokehouse’s annual Mini Real Ale Fest is one of my favorite beer events ever, and this year it happens to fall during Columbus Craft Beer Week. This event exclusively features specialty casks of real ale, all naturally conditioned in firkins, from a dozen different craft breweries across Ohio. This is your graduate course in beer.
→ Tickets

Canis Mexicanus Dire Wolf Bottle Release
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 10am-3pm
WRB will be releasing bombers of Canis Mexicanus Dire Wolf, a spiced Russian imperial stout. Bottles are limited, so prepare to arrive early, but even if you don’t wake up early enough to claim a bottle, Wolf’s Ridge always has an impressive draft list on their bottle release days.
→ Facebook event

Science on Tap
COSI, 5:30-10pm
Beer enthusiasts and science lovers come together for this special event at COSI. Craft breweries from all around Columbus and Ohio join forces with COSI to present Science On Tap. Sample various styles of beers and spirits, for science!
→ Tickets

Taproom Grand Re-Opening
Sideswipe Brewing. 5-10pm
Sideswipe has taken over the space next door to put in a new and improved taproom. The kickoff party for the new space will feature a selection of brand new Sideswipe brews and a food truck.
→ Facebook event

Blind Beer Tasting
Crafted Drafts, 2-4pm
How good is your palate? Sample nine beers in three different styles – Hoppy Wheats, IPAs, and Belgian Wheats – to see which beers you can identify. Hint: some of the beers to be poured are pretty (over?) hyped.
→ Tickets

Sunday, May 15

Bottle Release and Cask Party
Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, 11am-11pm
Hoof Hearted is releasing a brand new Imperial French Toast Stout called Miracle Toast at their downtown brewpub. Unlike their Marengo bottle/can releases, this is not a ticketed event, just first-come, first-served. There will also be a coffee-treated cask pouring at the bar during brunch service.
→ Facebook event

Beer and Bacon Brunch
The Commissary, 10am-1pm
Start your Sunday with beer and bacon. This four-course brunch will feature 1803 Bacon cured, seasoned and smoked four different ways then added to four different breakfast dishes. Each course will be paired with a Platform beer.
→ Tickets

10 Beers You’ve Never Had Before
Studio 35, 2-6:30pm
Studio 35 is pulling together ten ultra-rare, ultra-new, or otherwise elusive beers that you’ve probably never tried before. The tasting will be followed with a Captain America: Civil War at Studio 35. The tickets for the tasting and the movie screening are sold seperately, so even if you’ve already seen Captain America you can still enjoy this event.
→ Tickets

Beer 101 with Homestead Beer Co.
The Ohio Taproom, 1-5pm
Join the boys from Homestead Beer Co. to learn about the beer-making process. You’ll be able to see, taste and smell beers at different stages of the brew-cycle, sample raw ingredients like hops and grains, and of course enjoy the finished product. The first 24 Homestead Beer Co. pints purchased get to keep the pint glass.
→ Facebook event

One Line Coffee Collaboration
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 9:30am-12:30pm
WRB has crafted five variations of their Dire Wolf Russian imperial stout to pair with five types of One Line Coffee. Wolf’s Ridge’s head brewer Chris Davison and the One Line coffee team will give insight about each product and how they pair together. This is Wolf’s Ridge’s fourth collaboration event with One Line.
→ Tickets

Monday, May 16

Jackie O’s + Seventh Son + Veritas Tavern Collaboration Dinner
Seventh Son Brewing, 6-9pm
Jackie O’s and Veritas Tavern are traveling to Seventh Son Brewery for an epic collaboration dinner featuring five courses with beer pairings and a few other surprises. All proceeds will be donated to Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s BackPack Program, providing low-income youth with sacks full of nutritious food for the weekend, when children don’t have access to the school’s free meals.
→ Tickets

BEER SCHOOL: Craft Beer 101 Class
Lineage Brewing, 6:30-8:30pm
Ever wonder what makes beer “craft”? Curious to dig deep into the brewing process? Lineage will touch on these topics and more at Beer School. The session will finish with some beer and food pairings and a brewery tour. Lineage is also offering two other education classes during beer week, but the others are already sold out.
→ Tickets

Epic Big Bad Baptist Vertical Tasting and Q & A
Pies and Pints Easton, 6-10pm
Representatives from Epic Brewing will be hanging at the Easton Pies & Pints location to guide you through a Big Bad Baptist Vertical tasting and Q&A session. You can also pick up a signed bottle of Big Bad Baptist for your cellar.
→ Facebook event

Rando Pint Glass Giveaway
The Daily Growler Upper Arlington. 7-10pm
Need new glassware? The Daily Growler has accumulated quite the assortment of pint glasses from breweries near and far, and this night they are giving them away! Get a free glass for each pint purchased starting at 7pm. No limit! Plus you’ll get $2 off those precious pint pours.
→ Facebook event

Beer Cocktail Class
Zauber Brewing, 6-8pm
Zauber Brewing is teaming up with Karate Cowboy to lead a tasting of their respective beer and spirits, followed by a class on blending the two together to make beer cocktails.
→ Facebook event

Tuesday, May 17

Craft in Columbus: A conversation with local brewery pioneers
Smokehouse Brewing, 6-7:30pm
Drink Up Columbus has gathered Columbus craft beer pioneers Lenny Kolada, Angelo Signoriono, Victor Ecimovich and Scott Francis to share stories about how they got involved with craft beer, what it was like working in the industry before it was “cool”, and how it’s felt to watch a new generation of breweries emerge.
→ Tickets

Rhinegeist & Watershed Beer Cocktail Dinner
Milestone 229, 6:30-9:30pm
A six course dinner event featuring pairings of food, beer and unique beer cocktails crafted in collaboration with Rhinegeist Brewery and Watershed Distillery. Representatives from Rhinegeist and Watershed will be in attendance to speak and answer questions about the beers, cocktails and pairing selections. Call 614-427-0276 for reservations.
→ Facebook event

Beer and Cheese Pairing
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 4-6pm
Wolf’s Ridge is pairing three of their beers with three cheeses. Beer and cheese flights will be $15, and only about 80 will be available, so if you want one, get there early.
→ Facebook event

Old Man McNasty Bottle Release
Notth High Brewing, 4-11pm
Stop by the North High taproom to pick up a limited edition bottle of North High Brewing’s Old Man McNasty Russian Imperial Stout, while supplies last.
→ Facebook event

Beer Cocktail Mix-Up
Kraft House No. 5, 5-10pm
Kraft House is crafting cocktails using four Seventh Son Brewing beers with four different spirits (whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila). Try ’em all and vote for your favorite! The winning cocktail will go on the menu and one lucky voter will walk away with a Kraft House No. 5 gift card.
→ Facebook event

Wednesday, May 18

Sour Symposium
The Daily Growler Upper Arlington, 7-11pm
Tapping six rare and tasty sours including New Belgium Lips of Faith Transatlantique Kriek, Prairie Artisan Ales and Trve Collab Trve Edition Sour Flanders Red. There will also be Sauerkraut Balls from Smokehouse Brewing available for $2 each.
→ Facebook event

Between the Tanks Dinner
Elevator Brewing, 7-9pm
Enjoy a five-course beer dinner literally “Between the Tanks” at the Elevator Brewery production facility, with food prepared by the nearby Elevator restaurant. Call 614-228-0500 for reservations or e-mail info@elevatorbrewing.com
→ Facebook event

Bottle Release + Cask Party for “Wet When Slippery”
Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, 3pm
500mL bottles of a fruit-treated DIPA “Wet When Slippery” will be on sale (limited availability, get there early). Hoof will also have treated casks for you to tug on at the bar.
→ Facebook event

IPA Homebrew Competition
Buckeye Lake Brewery, 4-10pm
Watch the judging, winner announcements and prize giveaways for Buckeye Lake’s homebrew competition. The 1st place winner will get to brew their recipe with Buckeye Lake’s head brewer. Interested homebrewers can still drop off three three unlabeled 12 oz. bottles or two 22 oz. bottles to enter this competition through 5/15.
→ Facebook event

Brewer’s Challenge: Belgian Beer
Pigskin Brewing, 3-7pm
Pigskin’s Brewer’s Challenge pits their brewers against one another in a particular beer style. For this challenge, Mike, Nick, Vic, and Lucas have created four different Belgian beers each using the same yeast. Vote for your favorite!
→ Facebook event

Thursday, May 19

Weird Beer Night
St. James Tavern, 4-9pm
St. James is tapping several special kegs made from interesting, odd or just funky ingredients. These are unique beers that you don’t see everyday and drink very rarely, from Urban Artifact, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Dogfish Head and more!
→ Facebook event

Whole Hogz/Rare Logz
The Crest, 5-11pm
Question. What’s the only thing better than a hog roast?
Answer: A hog roast with the craziest beers imaginable. The Crest will be bringing the heat on draft while the kitchen carves out a carnivorous treat.
→ Event website

Duvel-Moortgat Beer Dinner
Market District Grandview Yard, 6:30-9:30pm
Market District is pairing a five course meal with five beers from Brewery Ommegang, Duvel, Boulevard, Liefmans and Chouffe. Seats for this $35 dinner are limited so stop by the store early to reserve your spot!
→ Event website

Outer Space Jam
The Daily Growler Upper Arlington
Featuring out of this world inspired brews and 90’s R&B… you will believe you can fly! Cosmic brews like North High Stardust to Stardust DIPA, Revolution Galaxy Hero and Green Flash Cosmic Ristretto Espresso Porter will be flowing from the taps.
→ Facebook event

CBC Beer Feature
Bob’s Bar, 6-10pm
Several special CBC beers will be on tap at Bob’s Bar including a special beer brewed FOR Bob’s, What About Bob’s IPA. CBC will also have their BA Belgian Dark Strong, IPA, Simon Stout and Summer Teeth. Bob’s will feature a different brewery each day of Columbus Craft Beer Week.
→ Facebook event

Friday, May 20

Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest
Huntington Park, 7-11pm
More than fifty Ohio craft breweries will be on hand sampling local beer at the second annual Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest, this year held at Huntington Park. The special CCBW collaboration Saison 994 will be flowing at Six One Pour, along with live music and a special menu created by Chipotle.
→ Tickets

Barrel Aged Beer Mini Fest
Winking Lizard Westerville, 4-7pm
Enjoy barrel-aged brews like Jolly Pumpkin Rojzilla, Thirsty Dog Knob Creek Barrel Siberian Night with cherries, Bell’s Bourbon Barrel Consecrator with coffee and more!
→ Facebook event

Jackie O’s Collaboration Dinner
Gallerie Bar & Bistro, 7:30-10pm
Chef Bill Glover is crafting a custom six-course tasting menu featuring ingredients from local Ohio farms, paired with incredible Jackie O’s craft brews. Reservations are required and can be made via OpenTable or by calling (614) 484-5287
→ Facebook event

Touch My Tiki: Beer + Cocktails
Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, 3-11pm
Hoof Hearted is mixing up some special beer cocktails. We hear tell of tiny umbrellas.
→ Event page

Ohio IPA Night
The Daily Growler Powell, 5:30-11pm
The Daily Growler will be featuring IPA’s from 12 breweries across Ohio, with pint specials, flight specials, and the Kenny’s Meat Wagon food truck slinging meat.
→ Facebook event

Saturday, May 21

Bike the Breweries
North High Brewing, 8am-12p
Bike to the Columbus breweries to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! Get your legs and liver ready for an epic day of drinking and exercise. Spots on this cycle tour are almost gone so visit the North High taproom ASAP to claim yours.
→ Facebook event

The History of Beer with the Ohio Historical Center and Dogfish Head
Studio 35, 2-6:30pm
Studio 35 and the Ohio Historical Center have collaborated to bring a one of a kind tasting experience. Using several extremely limited brews from Dogfish Head, attendees will take a journey through the history of brewing. The theater will be screening Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid after the tasting.
→ Tickets

Six Variant tapping
Kindred Artisan Ales, 4-11pm
Each day of craft beer week that they are open, Kindred is featuring a different variant of one of their beers, and for the last day of craft beer week the Kindred bar will not only tap Variant #6, but also the five variants released earlier in the week.
→ Facebook event

Tapper Takeover
16-Bit Bar+Arcade, 4-8pm
Compete against representatives from half a dozen local breweries while enjoying special beers from each on tap. Beat the brewery representative to win their unique prize! The highest score of the night wins an ultimate 16-Bit prize pack.
→ Facebook event

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across America 2016
Winking Lizard Grandview, 5-8pm
Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Across America project features six beers brewed in collaboration with 31 different breweries from across the country. All six collaborations will be on-tap for this event, and Winking Lizard is also pulling a keg of 2007 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot out of the Lizard cellar for the occasion.
→ Facebook event