Ready to mark the return of Wilmington Beer Week are, from left, John Hoffman of Dew Point Brewing, , Justin Sproul of Iron Hill Brewery, Joe Bob Jacobs and Sarah DeFlavis of Bellefonte Brewing, John Fusco and Craig Wensell of Wilmington Brew Works and Andrew Rutherford of Stitch House Brewery. Photo by Butch Comegys/Out & About Magazine
Restaurants and breweries will toast the return of Wilmington Beer Week, which starts today — Tuesday, Feb. 28 — and runs through Sunday.
It will focus on locally brewed beer and there’s a bonus for local suds lovers: Those who download a passport and get it stamped five times during the week will be eligible to win the Ultimate Wilmington Beer Tour, which is $250 in gift certificates to select brew week venues.
Second- and third-place prizes will also be awarded.
Special events will include a Sour Night at Wilmington Brew Works Tuesday; an IPA Night at Iron Hill Wednesday, March 1; an Atlantic 10 Watch Party with Lagers at Stitch House Thursday, March 2; a Beer Can Art Exhibition Friday at the Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar; and a Brewers Reserve Rare Beer Tasting Saturday at Iron Hill.
Participating makers are Bellefonte Brewing, Dew Point Brewing, Hangman Brewing, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Stitch House Brewery, Twisted Irons Craft Brewing and Wilmington Brew Works as well as mead/cider craft producer Liquid Alchemy.
Participating restaurants with a significant craft beer profile also will join in: Chelsea Tavern, Dorcea, Grain (Trolley Square), Two Stones Pub (Wilmington), Trolley Tap House; Washington Street Ale House; and the Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar.
Beer lovers are invited to download a passport and have it stamped five times during Wilmington Beer Week to enter a contest for $250 in beer venue gift certificates.
Beer Week shows growth
âWilmington has a great brewing tradition with some big breweries that unfortunately didn’t survive much past prohibition,” says Craig Wensell, CEO and brewer for Wilmington Brew Works. “Now we’ve got three breweries in the city limits and plenty more a short drive away. When someone visits Wilmington and heads to a bar or restaurant, they can now find beer on tap that was brewed a few miles away.”
âI think it was the right move to shift the focus to local beer,â adds Justin Sproul, Senior Head Brewer at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. âIt opens up opportunities for breweries to participate, which creates more excitement and makes for better events.â
The Chancery’s Beer Can Art Exhibition from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 3, is being timed to Art Loop.
The Brewers Reserve tasting also will feature a on the city’s brewing history by local beer historian John Medkeff. Tickets can be reserved by calling Iron Hill at (302) 540-8919.
Proceeds benefit âRestore The King,â a fundraising campaign to restore the King Gambrinus statue.
The week will conclude with Beer & Brunch at participating WBW venues that offer food.
For more information or to download a passport, go to WilmingtonBeerWeek.com.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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