Photo Gallery | Upcoming beer week to create buzz among suds enthusiasts

Plans are being drafted around celebrated craft beers as part of an event that hopes to tie the Mid-South together in a new way.

Inspired by other beer weeks nationwide, Austin Sawyer decided that it was time Memphis had its own.

As craft brand manager for Budweiser, Sawyer has been to breweries around the country — breweries in cities like San Fransisco who have a week-long beer event.

"[They] would be showcasing good craft beer, local craft beer and showcase local restaurants in events and bars. Stuff like that I wanted to bring here," said Sawyer.

Memphis Beer Week started to launch promotions about the event last fall.

Sawyer began sharing information about it on twitter in November. Now he has hundreds of interested followers.

Sawyer said he is already getting emails and tweets about a list for the event, but he has to wait a couple of more weeks to confirm a few details.

"Lots of bars from downtown, east Memphis and out to Collierville [will be] participating. Pockets of the city to showcase those beers, and the good places to eat," said Sawyer.

With independent and locally-owned restaurants and bars across the Memphis-area participating, Sawyer said no one should feel left out.

"That way someone from Collierville doesn't have to drive all the way to Midtown to be a part of it," he said.

Mellow Mushroom in Germantown is one of the restaurants out east that is on board with Memphis Beer Week. They will feature a dinner that is paired with a local craft beer.
Sawyer said that many local breweries will be brewing special beer just for the occasion.

Also, there will be events that will appeal to pallets of all types. Sawyer shared that on one night restaurants will feature sweeter beer, like a raspberry beer, paired with a dessert.

Memphis Beer Week will end with Memphis' largest beer event, according to Sawyer, which is Memphis Brewfest.

This is the fourth year for Memphis Brewfest.  All net proceeds from the event go to the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the Memphis Redbirds Foundation. Organizer Martin Daniel said along with his wife it’s been a success thanks to the kind sponsors and 150 generous volunteers.

"It will be another great afternoon of beer sampling, music and conversation with brewers. We expect a crowd of over 2,000 enthusiastic beer tasters on April 27," he said. "We'll have over 135 beers available for tasting. Our sponsors and our volunteers really make it all possible."

This year the presenting sponsor is Joe's Wines and Liquors, and Tier I sponsors include Budweiser of Memphis, AS Barboro, and The Memphis Flyer.

"So, down the road when people travel to (Memphis) Brewfest. Maybe they will come Wednesday, and see the tasting here," said Sawyer sharing his goals for the event in the future.

For now, Sawyer plans to have a website going by mid-March with a full list of restaurants and bars participating. He is excited for the Mid-South community to experience the taste of local and new beer.

"The main focus of this week is to showcase the great beer in restaurants and bar available in Memphis," he said.

Memphis Beer Week is April 21 through the 27. For Memphis Brewfest tickets click here.