Monthly buzz: Beer events happening in November

We had our fixes of Oktoberfest-style beers, and of course the never-ending selections of pumpkin beer that never seems to die off. Now, in November, it's time for winter ales to pop up, as well as other styles that'll fancy our taste buds. With the first of the month creeping up, so are upcoming beer events. We tilt our glasses to these upcoming boozy events.

For those who can't usually attend one-day beer fests, Wilmington, Del. is having a weeklong Beer Festival celebrating local breweries and those who love craft beer. Beginning on Saturday, Nov. 1 and running through Sunday, Nov. 8, 19 venues in Delaware host various beer events, from cask tapping of mysterious beers to food and beer pairings, there is an event for all the beer drinkers inside us. The full schedule is here.

Don Russell, better known as Joe Sixpack, invites beer fanatics to experience the ultimate tasting event on Friday, Nov. 7 as brewers from Broken Goblet, Conshohocken Brewing, Evil Genius, Neshaminy Creek and Saint Benjamin Brewing Company will discuss their brews and let you sample their selected choices for the night. The event starts at 7 p.m. and takes place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St.).

"The wheels on the bus go round and round" — to the bars that is. On Saturday, Nov. 8 the Craft Beer Express returns for an evening of pub hopping to the city's best craft beer bars. For only $10, you get a designated driver all evening and you get to choose which pub you start at. Beer on the other hand, is pay as you go. The bus starts at 11 a.m. Some locations you can start at are: Kraftwork (541 E. Girard Ave.), The Bishop's Collar (2349 Fairmount Ave.), and Devil's Den (1148 South St.).

Does your tongue appreciate the bitterness of a beer? Johnny Brenda's (1201 Frankford Ave.) 6th Annual Wet Hop Rodeo and Ranchero Brunch takes place on Saturday, Nov. 8 for a day full of wet hop beers and a special prepared brunch by the folks at JB's. What to expect? Beer wise: PBC Harvest from the Hood, Sixpoint Sensi Harvest, and Rogue Wet Hop to name a few. Food menu: hot cakes, cowboy steak, BBQ pork ribs, sausage, and chilaquiles. The brunch starts at 11 a.m.

For those who like to stuff our bellies with cuisine and not just beer. Iron Hill Brewery in Lancaster (781 Harrisburg Ave.) is offering a five-course pairing dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 11, which will feature in house brews: Munich helles, Orchard Hill Apple Hill, hefeweizen, Rauchtoberfest, and Cowabunga Porter, fixed with selected courses: potted rabbit, rillette, chicken roulade, grilled bratwurst, smoked duck prosciutto, and porter rocky road ice cream. Tickets are $65 a head and starts at 6 p.m.

East Coast welcomes West Coast on Wednesday, Nov. 12 as Local 44 (4333 Spruce St.) invites Port/Lost Abbey rep, Matt Pushinsky as he brings selected beers from the brewery paired up with a California-themed menu for the evening. Beers to expect are: Wipeout (IPA), High Tide (IPA), The Angel's Share (ASA), Avant Garde (Biere de Garde), Red Poppy (Flanders Red Ale), and more. The food menu is still in the works. The brews pour at 7 p.m.

On Friday, Nov. 14 the Grey Lodge Pub's (6235 Frankford Ave.) annual Troegs Mad Elf Kickoff Party  pays homage to this spiced ale by tapping Mad Elf barrels and Happy Elf Barrels — a naked, unfiltered version of the Mad Elf. Giveaways and Troegs merchandise will be available throughout the evening. Pace yourself. This starts at 6 p.m.

Get the 101 on craft brews and Irish whiskey on Saturday, Nov. 15 as Kildare's Irish Pub (4417 Main St.) hosts the 3rd annual Beer and Whiskey Festival that will feature 10 selected whiskeys and 40 selected craft beers locally and nationally. Some libations on the list: Jameson 18 yr., Redbreast, Powers, Deschutes, Yards, and Lagunitas. VIP starts at 2 p.m.; general admission at 3 p.m.

You're a craft beer drinker and appreciate the suds, now it's time to brew your own. On Friday, Nov. 21 the Philly Homebrew Outlet (1447 N. American St.) hosts its Homebrew Club meeting, where guests can learn more about beer such as fermentation and industry news, enjoy fresh brewed beer, and munch down on a seasonal food item. This is a good way to get your foot in the door with brewing and meet others who share the same passion as you. Aim to get there at 7 p.m.

If your gingerbread house building skills are up to par, the Kite and Key (1836 Callowhill St.) invites you to compete in their 2nd annual Great Gingerbread Race on Saturday, Nov. 22, where teams of two to three people square off to make the most creative and best holiday house. As you build your edible houses, the Kite and Key are pouring special, limited Samuel Adams pints throughout the evening. The competition starts at 6 p.m.

If you get a craft case of beer every Christmas and can't decide what to get this year, let the Winter Beer Fest help you out. On Saturday, Nov. 29 the 23rd Street Armory (22 S. 23rd St.) hosts over 50 beer companies, all offering their signature pours for the season. The full list isn't out yet, but usual breweries to expect are: Great Lakes, Weyerbacher, and 21st Amendment.