Talking Pints: Kooka-something, Wine Republic, and the Fourth of July

Mr. Paul Ryding is away this week so I will be sitting on the bar stool until his triumphant return.

The weekend can start tonight at 6:30 with Kooka Drinks, which seems to be some kind of Australian event involving alcohol, although we repeat ourselves. It's organized by AustCham and offers drink specials from beer for RMB 20 to summer cocktails for RMB 40 at Aria Terrace at the China World Hotel from 6:30-9:30pm.

Although not primarily a drinking event, consider the bar at 2 Kolegas stocked for 'dazeFEAST 2013, which kicks off on Saturday at 3pm and runs probably well beyond the clock striking 3 on the other end. 2 Kolegas is offering reduced drink prices for the entire event, so there may end up being quite a bit of splendor in the grass, whether it rains or not this weekend.

An event that will be primarily about drinking is The Wine Republic's sexily-titled "End of Financial Year Sale" at Flamme, on Saturday from 4pm-7pm. Thirty wines will be available for tasting, and more than 50 wines will be for sale at discounts up to 65 percent. Admission is free.

Slow Boat Brewery Taproom is planning an American Independence Day celebration, appropriately on Thursday, July 4. It's RMB 200, all-you-can-drink, along with burgers, potato salad, baked beans, and of course, apple pie.

Solana's 5th annual beer festival continues through Sunday in their main courtyard, complete with music and other entertainment.

Have a great weekend.