What's Happening In Washington, DC: July 6, 2015

Nothing says summer like the smell of burgers on a grill; smoky, savory barbecue; cold refreshing beer, and umbrella-adorned tiki drinks — and this week the DMV has all of this. We're a city of highly educated food-lovers so there are a few learning opportunities included, but they also involve drinking so the party element hasn't been ignored.    

Del Campo at Dusk Tiki Party
Del Campo has three things going for it this summer: a fabulous chef, great drinks, and a killer rooftop for summertime parties, like their annual Del Campo at Dusk Tiki Party. They've gone Hawaiian and on Friday, July 10, from 7 to 10 p.m., guests can enjoy suckling pig, a raw oyster bar, tiki-inspired bites, and signature tiki cocktails. Grab your tackiest Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and put on lei because tropical attire is de rigueur. And work on your Don Ho impressions because this party is only $37 per person for food and drink.

Early Mountain Vineyard Third Annual Barbecue Festival
Head out to Madison, Virginia on Saturday, July 18 to support your local vintner, sample some killer 'que, play a round of corn hole, and listen to live music from Curtis Prince and the Associates. Your host, Early Mountain Vineyard, is throwing their third annual barbecue festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the menu includes mouthwatering hickory-smoked whole hog pork barbecue and pulled chicken with all the fixings, thanks to BBQ Exchange. And of course, several of Early Mountain's stellar wines will be served, including their 2014 Rosé, a personal favorite that's dynamite with barbecue. For a sweet end to the day, sample cold, creamy ice cream from The Sweet Tooth. Get your $30 advance tickets online, tickets at the door are $35, tickets for anyone under 21 are $15, and kids under three eat free.  

Handi-Hour: Grown Up Craft Hour at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian is hosting another craft/happy hour for adults and this month's installment, Thursday, July 23 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., includes craft beer, tea blends, and — tea. For $20 per person, you can sip two craft beers, listen to live music, snack on munchies, and get artsy. The art part involves personalizing a coffee mug with paint pens and developing your own tea blend, thanks to teas provided by Teaism. Tickets can be purchased at the door. 

Historic Brewery Tour in Old Town Alexandria
If you consider yourself a craft brew geek and drinks history buff, this tasting tour is worth the $20 for entrance. On Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can join historian, and fellow hophead, Garrett Peck, author of Alexandria's Historic Breweries, and Cat Portner, co-founder of soon-to-open Portner Brewhouse, for a walking tour and pub stop around Old Town. Sample beers from Portner's new venture and end with a tasting at a local "Hops Stop."

Third Annual Burger Bash
Sometimes good things come in fours. This year's Burger Bash at Gateway Park in Arlington, Virginia, pits sixteen local eateries against each other for bragging rights to best burger in the DMV and the Golden BRGR trophy. On Saturday, July 18, for $29, you can sample a "flight" of four burgers or buy additional flights and sample eight, twelve, or all sixteen entries. Wash your burger down with craft beer from four local breweries, and listen to music from four local bands. Vote early and vote often, from noon to 6 p.m.

Summer Whitford is the D.C. City Guide Editor at The Daily Meal and the DC Wine Examiner. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva.