Photo by Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News
Beer Week is almost upon us and local venues have been polishing up and getting ready to glory in Alaska brews. Look for more information on the Beer & Barley Wine festival in the Jan. 15 edition of Play.

Here's a calendar of some events worth checking out.

Tuesday, Jan. 12

5:30 p.m. Midnight Sun Brewing Co. (8111 Dimond Hook Drive) will host its first ever beer dinner, featuring six of its 2009 “Crew Brew” series. Each beer will be paired with a food course. $65 per person and reservations are required (344-1188).

6 p.m. Alaskan Brewing Co. hosts a Smoked Porter tasting at SubZero MicroLounge (612 F St.). Odd Years will be featured: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009. $35 per person.

Wednesday, Jan. 13

5 p.m. Join Frank and Deb Kassik, from Kenai Brew Stop, for a sampling of specialty beers, hors d’oeuvre and give-a-ways at Embassy Suites (600 E Benson Blvd.).No cover, pay-as-you-drink.

6 p.m. Chris Lennert of Left Hand Brewing in Colorado and John Harris of Full Sail Brewing in Oregon will showcase their suds, paired with Chef Brett’s fare at Kinley’s Restaurant and Bar (3230 Seward Highway). $65 per person. (644-8953 for reservations).

6 p.m. Humpy’s (610 West 6th Ave.) is hosting a "Very Special Belgian Beer Dinner" featuring a special lineup of beers from the cellar paired with delectable dishes. $100 per person. (276-BEER for reservations).

7 p.m. The Brewhouse (737 West 5th Ave.), along with its sister restaurant Orso (same address), host a Beer/Wine Dinner where guests will participate in the Grain vs.Grape throw down dinner at Orso. The dinner will feature four courses, each paired with a beer and a wine, $65.

Thursday, Jan. 14

7 p.m. The Great Northern Brewers Club hosts its monthly meeting in the Snow Goose Restaurant’s (717 West 3rd Ave.) theater/banquet room. Featured guests of the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival, Jason and Todd Alstrom, founders/publishers of Beer Advocate will chat about their Web site and magazine. Bring your own homebrew to share as well as your passion for all that is beer. After the meeting, Beer News publisher/editor Tom Dalldorf will put together his Rolling Boil Blues Band, featuring local beer industry musicians. Free.

Friday, Jan. 15

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Spenard Roadhouse (1049 W. Northern Lights Blvd.) will host brewers from Kenai River Brewery, Kassik Brewery, Midnight Sun Brewing and Alaska Brewing. The professionals will be available for chat and samples of their craftsmanship will be on hand. Free.

5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Beer and Barley Wine Festival, more than 200 beers from around 50 breweries – all in the Egan Center. The $30 admission fee includes a 6 oz. commemorative glass and 30 samples.

Saturday, Jan. 16

2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A special connoisseur session, at $40 per person, benefits the Brewers Guild of Alaska and features brews not served in other sessions. The winners of barley wine competition will also be announced.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Beer and Barley Wine Festival, more than 200 beers from around 50 breweries – all in the Egan Center. The $30 admission fee includes a 6 oz. commemorative glass and 30 samples.

-- Gretchen Weiss