Hey it’s Friday and the weekend’s almost here. The weather’s getting warmer and you’re ready for some fun – and that’s where we come in! We’re all about it and we’ve got your back big-time. Plus we’ve got a special weekend beer pick that you’ll want to track down. So welcome to this week’s edition of our awesome Weekend Picks!

The inaugural American Beer Classic will be kicking off this Saturday, May 11, on the playing field at the iconic Soldier Field in Chicago. It’s being presented by our friends Red Frog Events who also put on the mid-Atlantic’s impressive Firefly Music Festival – so we promise you this will be a state-of-the-art production. The American Beer Classic offers both afternoon and evening sessions, featuring more than 100 of the nation’s best breweries. For more info on what promises to be one of this weekend’s best craft beer events, check out: American Beer Classic

Summer movie season kicked off officially last week with the release of Iron Man 3 (which we enjoyed) – and the momentum continues this week with the release of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. We know what many of you are thinking – that a film remake of an F. Scott Fitzgerald classic written back in 1925 hardly qualifies as a big summer blockbuster. But having seen the trailers with their over-the-top visuals, we can assure you that this is not your parent’s Great Gatsby, so don’t write this off as just another art flick. This version stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the mysterious Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as his Daisy, as well as Tobey Maguire as a Midwestern war veteran who finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor.

will be hosting the Sweetlife Music + Food Festival this Saturday (5/11) and we’ll be there. It’s all taking place at one of the country’s best venues – the Merriweather Post Pavilion – and the lineup is rich. Phoenix is headlining, along with Passion Pit, Kendrick Lamar, and ACB fave the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And Sweetlife’s craft beer lineup doesn’t suck either. Some of the region’s best craft brewers, such as Dc Brau, Flying Dog and Chocolate City will be representing, so you know you won’t be drinking concert-swill this time around.

The 2013 Garden State Brewfest is being held this Saturday, the 11, at the Mt Carmel Society Fairgrounds in Berkeley Heights, NJ. This afternoon event will feature the region’s best brewers, a special “Strange Brews Tent” filled with rare and exotic beers, live music, and local food. This year’s charity will provide relief for those still suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and that’s a good thing too, so you really don’t want to miss this one! For more details, be sure to check out: Garden State Brewfest

Our Weekend Beer Pick

Flying Dog Brewery has just unleashed the latest in their hugely popular, limited edition Single Hop Imperial IPAseries. Single Hop Citra Imperial IPA highlights one of this country’s most exclusive and in-demand hops with the clarity that defines their Single Hop series. 10% ABV and not to be missed, the Single Hop Citra Imperial IPA is currently available on draft and in 6-packs.