The Weekend Playbook: Hill Country's last hurrah and a beer garden

Weekend Playbook September

Event of the Week: Hill Country's Backyard BBQ's Last HuzzahAs summer is coming to a close, so is the BBQ & bluegrass station in front of the National Building Museum, which's putting on a final three days of live-band karaoke, whole hog 'que, and live music from the band that's totally over Ocean City, Crushed Out. More info awaits your clicky fingersFreebie of the Week: Goose Island Samples at Meridian PintThursday starting around 3p, pop into Meridian Pint to get loose w/ the Goose Island for a tap takeover, and get a taste of their Rare Bourbon County Stout as they'll be pouring free samples to lucky patrons. Now, THAT'S a lot of beerThursday, September 12thSetting up just South of the Shaw metro station, the DACHA beer garden's sporting picnic tables, a large mural, a few umbrellas, and 11 mostly German/Belgian drafts to take down in a half liter, full liter, or a big ole sampler tray -- for when you can't make your mind up and just want something simpler. Take a look at where you'll be boozing this weekendFriday, September 13thCelebrating the real Mexican Independence Day, Oyamel has cinco (yes, five) weekend-long specials, like the Tamal Rojo (braised pork/ancho chile tamal/salsa verde) and Pato en Mole (seared Muscovy duck/pineapple pico de gallo/costeño chile). See all five hereSaturday, September 14thFrom 3-5p, Black Jack is pairing up bivalves and booze (scotch) for a unique event featuring blended Scotch whiskies from Compass Box and oysters from California, Washington, Virginia, Maine, and Rhode Island. Oysters and Scotch, together at lastTuesday, September 17thJoin probably about 86 people at the 86 Summer, 86 Bucks event on top of BLT's roofdeck for a grill-out competition featuring five area chefs (BLT Steak/Rogue 24/1789) and unlimited steaks & sides, a popover bar, craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Get those tickets here!Wednesday, September 18thNamed after every adults favorite new interpretation of a famous childhood game, Duck, Duck, Grey Goose at The Source is pulling together top DC chefs (Scott Drewno/Katsuya Fukushima/Mike Isabella) to duck it out to see who's got the fly-est bird dish in town. You can also sip from a Grey Goose martini bar. Duck out of your usual Wednesday plans for this one