What's Happening In Washington, DC: March 7, 2016

You can attend a beer pairing dinner with one of the area's newest breweries, celebrate the season with Belgian-style saisons at a primary social spot, or play bocce and drink cold brews for a good cause in Georgetown. And if you're in the mood to bake somethingsweet, you can take a fun banana bread baking class at a swanky hotel that's a Washington institution; not bad for the first week in March.

Art & Soul to Host Beer Pairing Dinner Featuring Local Virginia Brewer Ocelot Brewing Company

This Friday, March 11, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., you can eat and drink local and down home-style with Southern food from Art & Soul and tasty brews by Ocelot Brewing Company (based out in Dulles) for $64.29 per person. For these folks, craft beer is a passion, an obsession and a journey, and they approach beer dinners the same way. The range of foaming fun includes hop monsters to slightly sweet malted versions, and even sours—all paired with tasty food. The evening will begin with charcuterie and oysters and a glass of Crimson Tears followed by four brews paired with four courses prepared by Art & Soul executive chef Douglas Alexander. Reserve now because these dinners sell out.

Banana Bread Baking Class at The Mayflower Hotel

Banana bread, whether it's in muffin form or sliced from a loaf is one of those tasty baked goods people love, even those who find fault with the texture of the banana. Getting the crumb and moisture just right isn't easy but this delicious quick bread is a signature item at The Mayflower Hotel and they feature it as a turndown amenity and as a dessert at weddings. It's been a scrumptious staple at the hotel since 1963, and in the chef's kitchen at Edgar Bar and Kitchen, more than 20,000 bananas are baked into more than 10,000 banana bread loaves. If you want to learn the secret recipe to this fun bread, the hotel is hosting a banana bread baking class on Saturday, March 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for $35 per person. To slake your thirst, Port City Brewery will be on hand pouring complementary beer that tastes delightful with the bread and then at the end of class take home the recipe and a lovely branded apron. Sign up now by email or by calling (202) 347-2233

Brewers and Bocce Tournament Fundraiser at Pinstripes

If you haven't been to Pinstripes, yet we highly recommend it. The place has a great vibe, the food is fun and tasty, and they offer hip entertainment like the upcoming bocce tournament. This event is a triple threat that includes a discount on ten local and national craft brews, a fun bocce tournament, and a fundraiser in partnership with ZERO, an Alexandria-based nonprofit aimed at ending prostate cancer. This year, the breweries include: 

  • 3 Stars Brewing
  • Atlas
  • DC Brau
  • Dogfish Head
  • Devils Backbone
  • Flying Dog
  • Heavy Seas
  • Heritage Brewing Co.
  • Port City
  • Victory Brewing 

Want to participate? Grab three friends and form a team OR cheer on participants as you sip on $3 brews! For more details and tickets, visit the event website here.

Celebrate Saison Day Brew Bash at The Sovereign with Allagash Brewing Company

Bet you didn't know March 12 is Saison Day, right? If you love Belgian-style saisons then you won't want to miss the party being held at The Sovereign in D.C. this Saturday, March 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. To celebrate this tasty style of Belgian beer, Allagash Brewing Company has helped create Saison Day and they are the star at a tap takeover featuring their saison exclusively for three hours.

Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and a food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. In addition to lifestyle topics, Summer also writes about culture and the arts at Woman Around Town. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva.