5 Places to Try This Weekend

Saturday -- Twisted Tail

Twisted Tail/official photo

If we can just agree that almost about everything from Oregon is cool, then we can agree that the return of the Deschutes Street Pub is probably going to be pretty slammin'. One of the largest mobile bars in the country comes to town from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and reps dispense 40 rare or awesome Deschutes brews in a street party that takes over Headhouse Square. Do you know what pairs really well with beer? Bourbon. Just kidding ... sort of. Right, so, what pairs well with beer is bar-be-que. Devour both (within reason), along with some down-home earthy or electric live music at Twisted Tail, directly on the square within feet of the Oregonion activity.

Saturday -- Old Eagle Tavern

It's been said by a wise woman or two that Maryland blue crabs are the best in the world. Need to taste it to believe it? Break bread and crab shells with Maryland girl Erin Wallace at her Manayunk tavern, the Old Eagle, and let her show you how it's done. Maryland breweries like Stillwater, Brewer's Art and Evolution will bring the beer cred as will Frederick, MD, brewery Flying Dog, strutting its Dead Rise Old Bay Summer Ale. Because of the inclusion of the quintessential Chesapeake crab spice, it's plausible that no beer has ever been so specifically tailored to eating crabs.

Saturday -- Harry's Oyster Bar

The oceanfront courtyard outside Harry's Oyster Bar is indisputably one of the most chill places to go during happy hour in Atlantic City. That island-meets-classic-rock vibe carries over to the raw bar and seafood restaurant other times, too, which makes it a nice backdrop to Saturday's Atlantic City's Boardwalk Beer Festival. 50 breweries will pour over two sessions in Harry's outdoor courtyard and on the Boardwalk, and though kids can't come to the fest, they can watch from inside Harry's while Mommy tries a few beers.

Sunday  -- Dock Street Brewery

The best kind of run may be one that doesn't start until the afternoon. Dock Street gets it and doesn't fire the gun on its annual scavenger run until a righteous 2:30 p.m. Start running or start drinking -- your pick -- as a succession of free live bands start playing outside the brewery at 3 p.m. and the hardwood-fired pizza in the oven is getting hot, hot, hot.

Sunday -- Alla Spina

After drinking three of five of Goose Island's Sour Sisters line of beers, you may need a Tums more than food. But once you're ready for the latter, Viceland host and chef Matty Matheson will cook you up some street food to eat outside Alla Spina at the Goose Island Block Party, where you'll be able to also pair two versions of Bourbon County Stout with treats from Big Gay Ice Cream.