Philly Beer Week Opening Tap tickets on sale

The countdown continues till Philly Beer Week - Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 8.

Now, tickets are on sale for Opening Tap, which this year moves to a new venue, the 23rd Street Armory, near 23rd and Market Streets. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

On Friday, May 30, Opening Tap ceremonies will commence at 7 p.m. with the traditional 'first tap' by Mayor  Nutter.  This year, more than 30 craft breweries and 1,300 patrons are expected. It is the only place to taste Philly Tripel, the local collaborative beer of PBW 2014 brewed by Dock Street master brewer Justin Low and Belgian brewer Anne-Catherine Dilewyns of Brouwerji Dilweyns in Dendermonde, Belgium, in conjunction with PBW 2014 Raffle Winner Daniel Neuner.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. for general admission tickets and cost $45 per person.  VIP tickets ($90 per person) will include early entry, starting at 6 p.m., along with beer sampling, tasty food and access to VIP restrooms.  Designated driver tickets will be available for $25.

Here are some more events:

Throwdown in Franklintown V

On Sunday, June 1, the fifth annual Throwdown in Franklintown, a war between Yards head brewer and president Tom Kehoe and Kite & Key owner Jim Kirk, will be held at the Kite & Key (1836 Callowhill St.) from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. 

The pay-as-you-go event brings out the best and brightest in the business.  Notable beer luminaries, such as Greg Lehman of Victory, Nick Johnson of Troegs, Wendy Domurat of Dogfish Head and Suzy Woods of Allagash, will be on hand to compete in a variety of challenges and competitions (sumo wrestling, boxing, chariot wars, etc).  The streets around the Kite & Key will be shut down and the taps will be flowing for the ultimate battle for beer bragging rights.  Featured breweries are:  Allagash Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Troegs Brewing Company and Yards Brewing Company.

Beerlesque: Tastings and Tassels

On Monday, June 2, Oregon brewery Deschutes will host a night of lavender and lace from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Boot & Saddle (1131 S Broad Street) when they combine their cutting edge craft beers with the lovely ladies of the Peekaboo Revue.  Deschutes will be bringing Mirror Pond Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Fresh Squeezed IPA, Twilight Summer Ale, as well as a special guest beer.  There is a $5 admission fee and the event is pay as you go.

Dunk Tank

On Tuesday, June 3, London Grill (2301 Fairmount Avenue) will roll out its infamous Dunk Tank from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. in a beer-themed charity event that benefits the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).  Each purchased ticket is good for one throw on a lineup of usual suspects in the Philly beer scene, including Tom Buonanno of Muller;  Jim Meiers of Origlio;  Chef Evan Seplow of Belgian Café;  and Kellyann Beene of Urban Saloon.

Hops @ Greensgrow

On Thursday, June 5, Nancy Rigberg and George Hummel, the familiar and friendly faces behind Home Sweet Homebrew, will join forces with Tom Peters of Monk's Café from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for a total beer learning experience at Greensgrow Farms (2501 E Cumberland Street).  A $16 door fee will get guests a lesson on how to grow hops and turn them into fresh beer.  Delectable finger foods, courtesy of Monk's Café, and locally made beer by Philadelphia Brewing Company, the official beer-maker of Greensgrow Farms, will be offered for tasting. Take away some recipes for cooking with hop shoots.

Fishtown FestivALE

On Saturday, June 7, three Fishtown bars – Johnny Brenda's, Fette Sau and Frankford Hall – will pool their resources and host the third annual Fishtown FestivALE from 12 noon until 8 p.m. on Frankford Avenue in between Girard and Shackamaxon.  The outdoor street festival will feature live music, a special appearance by the HOG and plenty of ice cold beer.

Confirmed breweries include: