The Weekend Playbook: 200-plus beers and yet another drinking fest

Boston Event of the Week:
Storm the Park Plaza Castle for the 2013 Beer Summit Harvest Fest, showcasing the best autumn brews from all over the world. You’ll have three chances (one on Friday and two on Saturday) to battle your way through 200+ beers from more than 60 brewers, so get yourself a ticket and get thirsty.

Thursday, November 7th: Goorin Bros. Hat Shop keeps it retro with Bicep Brawl II: A Call to Arms arm wrestling competition, from 5-9p at their Newbury Street store. The combatant roster is already full (sorry, Stallone), but you can still wear your finest derby and enjoy the old-timey fun with live music from the Bertrand Laurence Trio and Prohibition-inspired beverages from Drambui. Continue Reading

Saturday, November 9th: Celebrate the art and science of all things drink-related at Thirst Boston, a three-day beverage love-fest with events and seminars held at The Hotel Commonwealth. From coffee to cocktails, there’s a session for every taste (like the Blender Bender for frozen drinks, or Rum: The World’s Most Versatile Spirit), so choose your ticket package and immerse yourself in liquid learning.

Sunday, November 10th: Put on your Stetson for the first ever Inman Square Harvest Hoedown (noon-4p), a Fall-themed celebration of local businesses and restaurants complete with live music, costumes, and prizes (for best cowboy plaid). Open to all, but get yourself tickets for beer garden access (plus two 8oz drinks) and samples of apple-centric dishes from 10 Inman eateries. Portions of the proceeds benefit Food for Free.

Tuesday, November 12th: You are NOT in Kansas anymore (in fact you've possibly never been), but you can still blow over to Emerald Lounge for their Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Party from 9p-2a. Join author John Fricke (Oz expert!!!) for Oz trivia (call 617.457.2626 to reserve), sip over-the-rainbow themed cocktails and enjoy free cupcakes for Toto’s 80th birthday (roughly 333 in human years). Watch out for flying monkeys.

Wednesday, November 13th: Be the mogul of moguls (or just a ski bum) and start your slope-side sports season at The Blizzard, BSSC’s annual preview of mountains, gear, and deals, lodged at The Royale from 530-930p. Only the first 500 get goody bags with lift tix and deals, but there’s sweet swag for all, as well as the premiere of Teton Gravity Research’s latest open source freeskiing project (The Co-Lab), contests and trivia for mad prizes, music, a photo booth, apres ski apps, and early savings from various resorts and retailers. Hit the slopes, shredder