Explore Gwinnett, the official tourism organization of Gwinnett County, recently announced its fifth annual Gwinnett Beer Week, a highly anticipated celebration of the county’s local breweries and flourishing craft beer scene. Taking place Saturday, September 6 through Saturday, September 13, the weeklong event will feature special tastings, ale-centric activities, giveaways and more. New this year, beer lovers can also meet “Can Man,” a pop-up mascot who will make appearances throughout the week and offer exclusive perks for Sippin’ in the Suburbs pass holders.
“Gwinnett Beer Week is about more than great brews — it’s a celebration of the incredible creativity and talent within our local beer community, and it’s an honor to work alongside the partners who bring this event to life,” said Clara Rooks, senior marketing communications manager for Explore Gwinnett, who coordinates Beer Week activations. “Whether they’re first-time visitors or born-and-raised locals, we love seeing people from all walks of life come together and form new friendships through shared experiences—from swapping stories over limited-release pours to trying their hand at line dancing or even bonding with fellow pet owners while their pups make new friends of their own.”
In addition to a multitude of brewery events with live music, trivia, bingo, yoga, karaoke nights and more, official Gwinnett Beer Week activations include:
Sunday, September 7 (2–7 p.m.) – Barks & Brews @ Slow Pour Brewing: Beer enthusiasts and their canine companions are invited to downtown Lawrenceville for an afternoon of tail-wagging fun. The celebration will feature treats, toys and other pup-centric goods available for purchase from local vendors, along with opportunities to craft custom bandanas for furry friends. Pups can also compete in the “Puperlatives” contest, with categories including Best Dressed, Best Smile, Most Photogenic, Best Kisser and Best in Show. For more local finds, guests can browse the Slow Pour Sunday Market, taking place from 2 to 5 p.m. with over 30 local craftsmen and artisans offering one-of-a-kind wares.
Wednesday, September 10 (6:30–8:30 p.m.) – Boot Scootin’ Brewskis @ Elixir Brew Co.: Honky-tonk hopefuls and beer connoisseurs can dust off their boots for an evening of country western line dancing led by Celina Meador of Red Boots on the Dance Floor. Two-steppers are encouraged to dress in their best country getup for a chance to win a $200 Tecovas gift card.
Saturday, September 13 (1–5 p.m.) – Les Bon in Parsons Alley: Presented by Good Word Brewing & Public House, this annual celebration wraps up Gwinnett Beer Week with an artist and makers market, fresh oysters from Mera Brothers and Shiny Dimes, and a wide selection of mixed-fermentation beers, ciders and natural wines. Participating vendors include Barrique Brewing & Blending, Blackberry Farm Brewery, Keeping Together Brewery and Odd Colony & Schilling Brewing Company. Admission is free, with samples available for purchase through $4 tickets, each redeemable for a 5-ounce beer pour or two oysters. Sippin’ in the Suburbs pass holders can stop by Explore Gwinnett’s on-site booth to redeem points for exclusive prizes.
Debuting this year as the official mascot, “Can Man” will be popping up at brewery events throughout Gwinnett Beer Week. Sippin’ in the Suburbs pass holders who spot him can scan his QR code to earn double points and upload a photo for a chance to win a Gwinnett craft beer gift basket and a $50 brewery gift card. Updates on “Can Man’s” location will be shared on Explore Gwinnett’s social media channels throughout the week.
The Sippin’ in the Suburbs pass, launched during last year’s Gwinnett Beer Week, lets participants earn points by checking in at Gwinnett County craft beer and spirits locations. Each check-in earns points that can be redeemed for prizes from Explore Gwinnett, including stickers, posters, trucker hats, bottle openers, t-shirts and more. Participants who visit all 14 locations are inducted into the Sippin’ in the Suburbs Wall of Fame. The pass is free, requires no app download and automatically checks in users upon arrival. Those interested can sign up at www.exploregwinnett.org/food-drink/sippin-in-the-suburbs-pass/. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #ExploreGwinnett.
“We created the Sippin’ in the Suburbs pass to encourage more people to discover and enjoy the craft beer community we’re so proud of,” said Victoria Hawkins, senior director of marketing and destination development for Explore Gwinnett. “As we mark the fifth year of Gwinnett Beer Week, we’re excited to introduce “Can Man” as a fun new way to engage with locals and visitors, highlight the pass and celebrate our breweries. And we can’t wait to see all the photos pass holders share as they track him down.”
