Tap Takeovers, Cider Night, and More Beer Events Around the Microbrew Invitational

The BeerAdvocate festival returns to Boston June 2 and 3, but you don't need a ticket to enjoy all the limited releases.

Draft lines at City Tap House. / Photo provided

The craft beverage scene has grown immensely since BeerAdvocate launched in 1996—and it’s even markedly different since the Boston-based beer blog began hosting its own events in 2003. So last year, BA decided to get back to its roots with a fest dedicated to small-batch beverage-making with the Microbrew Invitational. The convention picks up again this Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, at the Seaport World Trade Center, with more than 70 small producers of beer, cider, mead, kombucha, and sake. As of publishing time, there are still tickets available for the Friday and Saturday night sessions.

But if the beer fest scene is not for you—or if you just can’t get enough of limited-release brews, there’s no shortage of ancillary events hitting bars and restaurants around Boston this week. All parties are first-come, first-served, and pay-as-you-go.

KO Pies at the Shipyard

KO Pies at the Shipyard. / Photo provided

Microbrews at the Shipyard

KO Pies’ Sam Jackson is inviting brewers in town down to the East Boston Shipyard for Australian handpies, beer, and general revelry. The draft list is still in the works, but there will be Wanker-Free flowing, an easy-drinking collaboration with Harpoon Brewery.

Thursday, June 1, 5-9:30 p.m., KO Pies at The Shipyard, 256 Marginal St., Ste 16, East Boston, Facebook event.

J. Wakefield Takeover

Kick things off with six special drafts from Miami darlings J. Wakefield, including collaborations with Jack’s Abby, the Bruery, and more.

Thursday, June 1, 7 p.m., the Ginger Man, 148 State St., Boston, Facebook.

Sunset Grill & Tap. / DSC00268 by Kramchang on Flickr / Creative Commons

Microbrew Invitational Pre-Party

This OG Allston beer bar is also pre-gaming with brewers and owners. The stacked draft list will have rare finds from 14th Star, Burley Oak, Fiddlehead, J. Wakefield, Stormalong Cider, Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, and many more. Get there early.

Thursday, June 1, 8-11 p.m., Sunset Grill & Tap, 130 Brighton Ave., Allston, Facebook event.

Brewer’s Lunch

This downtown pub invites brewery representatives in for lunch ahead of several Boston beer fests every year. For the Microbrew Invitational installment, Stoddard’s is teaming up with Castle Island Brewing to cohost a stacked lineup of special releases, including the Norwood brewery’s own Big Ern, plus Bantam Cider’s new Buzzwig, Bldg 8 IPA, Spencer Trappist Ale, and Exhibit ‘A’ Hair Raiser on draft, along with several special cans.

Friday, June 2, noon-3 p.m., Stoddard’s Fine Food & Ale, 48 Temple Pl., Boston, Facebook event.

Post-Microbrew Tap Takeover

After the Friday night session, post up at the Tip Tap Room, where Night Shift Distributing is taking over the taps with special releases from Night Shift, Pipeworks, and Magnify, plus a very special guest from New York City: Interboro. Check out the loaded draft lineup.

Friday, June 2, 9:30 p.m.-midnight, the Tip Tap Room, 138 Cambridge St., Boston, Facebook event.

Fiddlehead IPA tap handles

Fiddlehead IPA tap handles. / Photo provided by Craft Collective

Craft Collective Takeovers

The distributor responsible for shepherding some of the best local beers and imports from Vermont, Maine, New York, and beyond into Boston (and Cape Cod) has a series of events, beginning tonight with Fiddlehead at Worcester’s Dive Bar. Fiddlehead is also supplying select kegs, including Second Fiddle double IPA, to Row 34 on Thursday. On Saturday, Singlecut is fueling the fun at Lucky’s Lounge. There are also tap takeovers and the Brewer’s Tap & Table in Waltham and the Ginger Man, and cans at Pastoral, Gather, and Lucky’s all weekend long.

Fiddlehead Social, Thursday, June 1, 5-11 p.m., Row 34, 383 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston, Facebook event.

Craft Collective Takeover, Thursday, June 1, 6-11 p.m., Brewer’s Tap & Table, 256 Moody St., Waltham, Facebook event.

Afterparty, Friday, June 2, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., the Ginger Man, 148 State St., Boston, Facebook event.

SingleCut Takeover Saturday, June 3, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Lucky’s Lounge, 355 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston, Facebook event.

The flagship trio from Prospect Ciderworks includes Sidro, Paradise, and Missing Link

The flagship trio from Prospect Ciderworks includes Sidro, Paradise, and Missing Link. / Photos by Chase Brooks

Cider Night

The Microbrew Invitational isn’t actually limited to drinks that are “brewed.” The cider scene is ripening, and this Back Bay bar is welcoming the producers who will be in town this weekend. Try ciders from Portland, Oregon’s Reverend Nat’s, along with locals Prospect Ciderworks, Citizen, Artifact, and more.

Saturday, June 3, 7-9 p.m., Bukowski Tavern, 50 Dalton St., Back Bay, Boston, Facebook event.

Microbrew Brunch

By the time Sunday rolls around, you’re definitely going to need… a beer. City Tap House has you covered, with its regular brunch menu—including beermosas—and more at this BeerAdvocate-sponsored wrap-up party. Have fun, and stay hydrated, everyone!

Sunday, June 4, 11 a.m.=1 p.m., City Tap House, 10 Boston Wharf Rd., Fort Point, Boston, Facebook event.