In the wise words of Samuel L. Jackson, hold onto your butts: The supersized celebration of all things beer known as North Texas Beer Week (Nov. 11-20) is upon us.
Now in its fourth year, NTX Beer Week continues to increase the awareness and responsible consumption of craft beer in Dallas-Fort Worth. Founded in 2011 and organized by a local board of directors comprised from every facet of the brewing industry, our local beer week is 10 days every year when craft beer brewed locally and beyond takes center stage. Just as the local beer scene continues to grow at an astronomical rate (from just eight to more than 50 breweries in five years, no kiddin'), NTX Beer Week is increasingly full of ways to immerse yourself in the fun and delicious world of craft beer -- like 300-plus events at more than 100 venues.
What types of events, you ask?
Special tappings and tours offer opportunities to meet the good people behind the breweries and beers you love, and hopefully you'll discover some new ones along the way. Pint nights will help you explore the goings-on in your neighborhood, while unique events like meticulously crafted beer dinners with brewmasters can help build upon what you already know and love about beer. No matter if you're in the far reaching corner of Denton County or smack dab in the center of Dallas, exciting experiences -- and many tasty beers -- await.
Bring your dancing shoes to the Untapped festival in Dallas, which celebrates five years of pairing beers and bands to the tune of Kaleo, Gogol Bordello and TV On The Radio at Fair Park on Nov. 12. Or get gussied up for the third annual Brewer's Ball, which moves to the Omni Dallas Hotel. This one-of-a-kind event offers a chance to mingle with founders, brewmasters and owners from some of the nation's most celebrated breweries. You'll want to come early, too: Before the ball on Nov. 18, we'll be hosting a pre-party on the lawn of the hotel with a live broadcast from Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket's Hardline and a special toast by Mayor Mike Rawlings.
Check out GuideLive's top picks for the week or see a full events schedule at ntxbeerweek.com; there's truly something for everyone. So, enjoy yourself (responsibly) this NTX Beer Week by stepping outside your comfort zone, trying new beers and getting to know your fellow beer lovers. After all, beer week is as much about the people who drink beer as those who make it.
Cheers and thanks for your support; I'll see you out there!
By Matt Dixon, NTX Beer Week Executive Director
