Each February, folks head to Rose Alley Ale House with the hopes of conquering the annual Beer Summit. Now in its 16th year, the Beer Summit is a journey through 28 different beers over 28 days. 

Climb to the top of the summit and be enshrined in the Rose Alley Mug Club for the following year. Club membership means you’ll get a unique handblown glass mug from McDermott Glass Studio in Sandwich, MA that resides at the bar until the next summit. Order (almost) any drink in it when you visit then it’s yours to take home and cherish for years to come. Bonus: If you’re a Mug Club member, you can tackle the following year’s Beer Summit with your mug. Think of it as your little pack mule as you make your ascent.

Now, since tackling 28 beers in 28 days may sound daunting to some, I’ve made a quick cheat sheet for first-timers and veterans alike.

Pace yourself

The most important thing to remember is that this climb isn’t a race. No more than six beers in a day will count toward your progress, but consider your own limits before you start. Every year, some pretty big beers make their way onto the list and you’ll want to spread those out over multiple visits. Drink responsibly and be smart when heading back home.

Don’t be afraid of new beers

The overall point of the summit is to get a taste of a variety of beer styles all in one convenient spot. If you’re a craft beer lover, you’ll likely see some familiar names on the list and enjoy some favorites. If you’re less familiar with craft beer, try to keep an open mind. Don’t be scared of the dark beers or the hoppy ones. Give each beer on the list a fair chance, but make some notes about the ones you definitely want to try again or avoid forever.

Follow the rules

Speaking of taking notes, you’ll need to rate each beer on the list from 1-5 stars. Remember to mark your card after finishing your beer and turn it in to your server or the designated spot before you head out. If you accidentally bring it home or lose it, you’ll need to re-rate those beers or start over completely. Also, as I mentioned before, you’re limited to rating six beers per day.

Order new dishes

Rose Alley has always been known for their wings, and rightly so, but over the last few years, the full menu has greatly expanded. Since you’ll be stopping by at least five times, take the opportunity to try out some new dishes while you’re there. Another fun thing could be to pair your food orders with the beers you’re planning to check off that visit. However you do it, you might just find your new year-round favorite dish. 

Have fun

Sure, this month-long event is primarily about the beers, but it’s also about who you’re enjoying those beers with. Bring some friends or make some new ones at the bar. Plus, every weekend features local live entertainment, from DJs to solo artists to full bands, setting the mood well into the night and keeping the good vibes flowing. Think of it as your personal soundtrack as you climb the summit to mug and personalized t-shirt glory.

Don’t forget your mug (bonus)

Now that we’re on the topic of the handblown mugs once again, I’m tossing in one final tip so you can learn from my mistakes. It’s great fun to mark off the last beer on your list, hand it over to the bartender, and ring the victory bell. You’ve earned your cool mug that will hang above the bar that you can fill whenever you’re back at Rose Alley. When it’s time to make way for the new mugs, DON’T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR MUG HOME. I missed the pickup deadline for my own beautiful mug after the 2016(?) summit and now it’s probably sitting in a storage locker, a Savers, or somebody else’s cabinet. Don’t make my mistake and cherish that mug. You earned it!