On tap: DFW craft beer events, week of December 31

Here's what's happening around the Metroplex during the week of December 31:

Special events:

At least on the surface, it appears to be another fairly quiet week ahead with the New Year's holiday upon us. Beer dinners are the main draw tonight, with set menus on the bill at the Common Table, Meddlesome Moth and Holy Grail. Each of these events is likely on the verge of selling out, so be sure to check with the venue for any last-minute availability.

Should you miss out on dinner, you can still head down to the Common Table afterwards to ring in the holiday with Fish Fry Bingo and a list of rare bottles and tappings that rivals anything we've seen around these parts in recent memory (or ever).

Lastly, once all the year-end hullaballoo has died down, get the new year off to a "big" start with the first of a monthlong series at the Moth called Barleywine Wednesdays. Going on throughout January, each week's regular Wednesday night tapping will feature both new and vintage barleywines from the likes of Real Ale, Live Oak, BrewDog and North Coast.

Happy New Year!

Regular schedule:

Monday, December 31

• The Common Table, Dallas - 7 & 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Beer Dinner ($50pp plus $15 for beer pairings, sold out but check for cancellations or show up later for a night of rare tappings).
• Holy Grail Pub, Plano - 7 p.m. - New Year's Eve Beer Dinner ($65pp, call 972-377-6633 to reserve).
• Meddlesome Moth, Dallas - Last Supper of 2012 ($65pp plus $20 for beer or wine pairings, call 214-628-7900 to reserve).

Tuesday, January 1

• The Common Table, Dallas - 5 p.m. - Brewsday Tuesday featuring New Year's Eve leftovers.
• Flying Saucer on the Lake, Garland - 5 p.m. - Tap Night featuring Cuvée des Trolls.
• The Ginger Man, Dallas - 6 p.m. - Pint Night. Selections vary*.
• The Ginger Man, Ft. Worth - 6 p.m. - Pint Night. Selections vary*.

Wednesday, January 2

• Kegs & Barrels, Plano - 5 p.m. - Weekly Tasting. Selections vary.
• Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Ft. Worth - 5 p.m. - Weekly tour and tasting ($10pp).
• Meddlesome Moth, Dallas - 5 p.m. - Rare tapping of 2011 Lagunitas Olde GnarlyWine.
• Ginger Man, Southlake - 6 p.m. - Pint Night featuring a selection from the Duvel Collection*.
• Rugby House, Plano - 6 p.m. - Glassware Night*. Selections vary.
• The Bottle Shop, Dallas - 6 p.m. - Pint Night*. Selections vary.
• Flying Saucer, Addison - 7 p.m. - Brewery Night featuring Four Corners*.
• Flying Saucer on the Lake, Garland - 7 p.m. - Brewery Night featuring Lazy Magnolia*.
• Flying Saucer, Ft. Worth - 7 p.m. - Brewery Night featuring Paulaner Hefeweizen*.

Thursday, January 3

• Flying Saucer, Addison - 5 p.m. - Tap Night featuring De Garre.
• Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Dallas - 6 p.m. - Weekly tour and tasting ($10pp).
• The Libertine Bar, Dallas - 6 p.m. - Pint Night featuring Maker's Mark*.
• Ginger Man, Southlake - 6 p.m. - Meet the Brewer featuring Revolver.
• Zio Carlo, Ft. Worth - 7 p.m. - Glass Night. Selections vary.
• Eno's Pizza Tavern, Dallas - First Thursday Keep the Pint Night*. Selections vary.

Friday, January 4

• Flying Saucer, Ft. Worth - 4 p.m. - Tap Night. Selections vary.
• Lonestar Beverages, Carrollton - 5 p.m. - Weekly tasting. Selections vary.
• The Bottle Shop, Dallas - 6 p.m. - Firkin Friday. Selections vary.
• World of Beer, Arlington - Firkin Friday featuring Jester King Gotlandsdricka.

Saturday, January 5

- Weekly brewery tours (each admission includes a logo glass)

• Franconia Brewing Co., McKinney - 11 a.m. - $5pp (glass optional for additional $5).
• FireWheel Brewing Co., Rowlett - 11 a.m. - $10pp for three 8 oz samples.
• Lakewood Brewing Co., Garland - 12 p.m. - $10pp for four beer samples.
• Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Dallas - 12 p.m. - $10pp for four beer samples.
• Cedar Creek Brewery, Seven Points - 12 p.m. - $7pp for three beer samples.
• Revolver Brewing Co., Granbury - 12 p.m. - $7pp for beer samples.
• Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Ft. Worth - 1 p.m. - $10pp for three beer samples.

Further Out:

• Avery Beer Dinner at Common Table, January 15.
• Lakewood Brewery Night at World of Beer SMU, January 15.
• Squatters/Wasatch Brewery Spotlight at World of Beer Arlington, January 15.
• MOA Brewery Spotlight at World of Beer SMU, January 29
• Four Corners Brewery Night at World of Beer Arlington, January 29.
• Saint Arnold Beer Dinner at Libertine, January 30.
• Valentine's Beer and Chocolate tasting at area Ginger Man locations, February 9.

Examiner pick of the week
New Year's Eve at the Common Table

* Buy the beer, keep the glass.


Know of an event not listed here? Contact me via email at planocraftbeer@yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter and Facebook.