Monthly buzz: Beer events happening in January

You survived 2014 and New Year's Eve aka "amateur night" to some. Now it's time to enjoy the New Year's beer events being offered in January. Can you hang?

The never ending lines of New Year's Eve open bar offers probably got you a little stressed out. Start your 2015 with a calmer drinking day at Local 44 (4333 Spruce St.) on Thursday, Jan. 1 during their annual beer bash event. From 4 p.m. through 8 p.m. enjoy $3 drafts from the bar such as Pizza Boy Sunny Side Up, Dogfish 75 Minute IPA (firkin), and Minor Brett, and more.

If you're the type of person who loves beer festivals but always wishes there were more to be sampled, your wish was granted. Beginning on Friday, Jan. 9 through Saturday, Jan. 10 booze hounds can taste over 350 beers during the Big Philly Beerfest at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St.). Not only does admission fulfill your beer cravings, but your good deed of the week is accomplished, too. Proceeds of the festival benefit the Animal Rescue Partners, an organization who supports numerous animal adoption groups, animal rescue shelters, and community spay/neuter programs. The beer fest is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. (early admission) and 7:30 p.m. for general admission.

You've been to Xfinity Live! (1100 Pattison Ave.) for sports, bull riding, and pre gaming festivities, but have you been to a beer festival there? On Saturday, Jan. 17 over 150 beers will pour throughout the large venue during the 2nd annual Winterfest. Admission gets you unlimited pours, live music, and interactive games to win prizes. The festival starts at 3 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20 Grey Lodge Pub (6235 Frankford Ave.) is not only honoring the date, it's honoring another 120: Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA. Beginning at 10 a.m. through close, the Northeast craft beer bar will tap a sixtel of this intensely hoppy beer. If you tasted this before you know it packs a punch. With a whopping 18% ABV, you'll certainly get your money's worth with just one glass.

As if Bru Craft and Wurst's (1318 Chestnut St.) tap selection isn't great already, on Sunday, Jan. 25 the bar's taps get taken over by some rare and hard to find craft beers, especially sour beers. SourBowl will start at 12 p.m. and include great beers such as Brasserie Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus, Bullfrog Brewery Toad Licker, The Bruery Rueuze, and more. The event is pay-as-you-go and try to arrive on time, the kegs will run out!

What goes great with beef? Beer! Starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25 the South Philly Taproom (1509 Mifflin St.) hosts its 6th annual Beef and Beer event that will feature an all-you-can-eat buffet, and firkins filled with cask conditioned beer. Tickets include the meal, but the beer is a pay-as-you-go type deal.

If you're Scottish and you know it clap your hands--because the Victoria Freehouse (10 South Front St.) is throwing a weekend full of Scottish delights. Beginning on Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday Jan. 25 the British pub will offer special priced Scottish spirits, food, and beer all in honor of Scotland. To finish the festivities, starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday the pub hosts Robert Burns Night. This night will include Scottish food delights, spirits and music by champion bagpiper, Thomas Moore. The weekend party begins on 12 p.m. Friday.

Calling all Celtic supporters—beginning on Friday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb 1 The 2nd Street Plough Boys CSC holds their 2nd Annual Celtic Supporters Feile at Plough and the Stars (123 Chestnut St.) for an entertaining weekend all about Scotland's boys in green. The festivities will include live entertainment, music, Celtic supporter ceremonies, talks, and of course, beer.