Who's thirsty for some great craft beer this weekend? Check out these spots

Patrick Holbrook, The Columbus Dispatch
·4 min read
Plenty of fun is on tap this weekend as Columbus Craft Beer Week draws to a close.
Plenty of fun is on tap this weekend as Columbus Craft Beer Week draws to a close.

Time is running out on Columbus Craft Beer Week, which showcases breweries, beer bars and restaurants in Greater Columbus over nine days of beer-centric events at venues across the area.

But, partakers and procrastinators, it's not over yet. There is still plenty of time (two days) to enjoy the myriad activities around town associated with the annual event.

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But where, you say? Look no further. Here are six cool happenings (among the many still left on the schedule) that you can hit on Friday and Saturday before things wrap up.

For a full list of activities, visit www.columbusbeerweek.com/events.

Friday: Bring dog, drink beer

• "Pup Crawl," Grove City Brewing Company: Bringing along the dog always elevates a night out, especially one that involves sipping some suds for a good cause. The Speak! for the Unspoken Pup Crawl, brought to you by Grove City Brewing (3946 Broadway), benefits local animal rescues. Running from 6 to 9 p.m., it will be held in conjunction with Grove City's Food Truck Friday Night and is within a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), so you can stroll right down Broadway with your dog and your beverage — as long as you stay within the DORA zone, of course.

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• Jackie O's collab with Daily Growler: The Athens-based brewer and the Columbus growler shop have combined forces to come up with Delores the Only, a West Coast IPA infused with citrus and peppers. It will be available from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Upper Arlington Daily Growler (2812 Fishinger Road), with the added benefit of a visit from the Cousin's Maine Lobster food truck from 4 to 8:30 p.m. (Cousin's closing time is "-ish" according to the listing, so get there well before 8:30 if you definitely want some lobster grub). Other releases of Delores the Only are on tap Friday evening at Daily Growler locations in German Village/Brewery District (702 S. High St., 5 to 11:59 p.m.) and Powell (258 W. Olentangy St., 5 to 11 p.m.).

• Maifest, 1487 Brewery: Maifest is the traditional German celebration of spring, and German-inspired beers offered by 1487 (7620 Industrial Parkway, Plain City) are highlighted in the two-day event starting Friday. Festivities run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days, and attendees can score Maibock or Helles beers for $15 in a limited-edition glass that is yours to keep (refills are $5). Local artisans will have their wares on display in a market-style setting from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Saturday: Roll out the barrel-aged

• Wolf's Ridge Brewing bottle release: For fans of barrel-aged beers, Wolf's Ridge (215 N. 4th St.) will offer four new brews on tap beginning at noon in the taproom and patio. Starting at 3 p.m., folks can buy bottles of the four new releases through the website (www.wolfsridgebrewing.com, navigate to the "Shop" tab to find "Barrel Aged Release"): Blanton’s Barrel Dire Wolf (8-ounce bottles, $10.99, limit four); Blanton’s Barrel Lord Maris (8-ounce bottles, $8.99, limit six); Blanton’s Barrel Lord Maris with Vanilla (8-ounce bottles, $10.99, limit four); and Bourbon Barrel Coffee Cherry Vanilla Dire Wolf (22-ounce bottles, $20, limit three). If you want to join the party at Wolf's Ridge, it lasts until midnight and the draft list will feature both new and vintage barrel-aged beers. Attendees can order the bottles online through their mobile device and enjoy same-day pickup.

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• Beer and coffee pairing, Olentangy River Brewing Company: You probably won't get sleepy at this event, which runs from 1 to 3 p.m. In addition to making beer, Olentangy River (303 Green Meadow Drive S., Lewis Center) is a licensed Roosevelt Coffee location, which makes for a natural combination and an eye-opening afternoon. For $25, attendees will get three Olentangy beers, three specialty coffee drinks and a mixed drink that highlights both.

• Skee-Bus Brewers Cup, Pretentious Barrel House: From 2 to 5 p.m., watch as your favorite brewers go head-to-head to see who rolls the mightiest game of Skee Ball. Pretentious (745 Taylor Ave.), which features a full menu of sour beers, is the venue to see who walks away with the Brewer's Cup and the right to donate proceeds to the charity of their choice. Attendees also could net some free swag as well.

pholbrook@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Craft beer in Columbus: Great places to drink beer this weekend