Looking at the Beer Week schedule is enough to make your head swim (and that's before sampling on any of those delicious brews). This ten-day celebration launched in 2008 as a way to celebrate the city's booming beer scene, and has grown exponentially ever since. These days, you can try some of the country's rarest and most interesting beers -- and even meet the brewers -- at over 200 venues.

Here's a curated list of this week's most exciting sudsy events.

Brewed in Philly: A History of Brewing from the Collections of the Free Library of Philadelphia at Free Library of Philadelphia     
All week, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 
Get out of the bar and into the library with this exhibit offering insight into beermaking in Philadelphia -- from its rich Riverwards roots to the current microbrew revolution.

Bucket of Bells at Stogie Joe's     
All week, noon - 2 a.m. 
Stogie Joe's on East Passyunk is offering six delightful Bells brews for just $15 all week. On a hot day, cool down with the Michigan brewery's sublime Oberon, a wheat ale the color of sunshine.

Tuesday, June 4

Firestone Walker at Strangelove's 
11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m. 
Firestone Walker's Union Jack IPA was recently named the best IPA in the country by Paste magazine (they bested 63 other competitors). Come sample some of the best West Coast-style brews in the country.

Meet the Brewer Lunch with Founders at Jose Pistola's   
11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
You had me at Founders -- their Breakfast Stout and All-Day IPA are two staples in my household. This is your chance to have all your questions answered over a "productive" lunch break.

Wednesday, June 5

Cigar City at The Cambridge 
4 p.m. - 2 a.m. 
It was Cigar City's Jai Lai IPA that Firestone Walker beat in the finals of that IPA contest. The Tampa standout's head brewer will be at the bar, pushing their Invasion Pale, Mai Bock, 60 Schilling Chocolate Raspberry Lager and Torcedores Nick.

Flying Dog at Varga Bar      
4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
Flying Dog makes some of the punchiest (and most racily named) beers in the region. Stop by Varga during happy hour to sample a couple.

Sweet 16 With Sixpoint at Prohibition Taproom 
5 p.m. - 2 a.m. 
Not only will Prohibition -- Philadelphia's most charming dark and cosy bar -- have six Sixpoint beers on tap, they'll also have eight varieties in cans, some never before seen in Philly.

KING PIN! at Standard Tap   
6 p.m. - 2 a.m. 
Ten local breweries, including Dock Street Brewery , Flying Fish Brewing Co., Weyerbacher Brewing Co., and Yards Brewing Company, compete to see whose pin will be the first to kick. The winner will be crowned "Kingpin!" 

Weyerbacher Wednesday with Quizzo at Bottle Bar East   
7 p.m. - 2 p.m. 
Head to Fishtown for beer-themed quizzo and tap beer from local standout Weyerbacher.

Dogfish Head Beer Dinner at Fork Restaurant   
7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 
Fork celebrates the 12th anniversary of their very first collaborative beer dinner with Dogfish Head Brewery. If you're looking for an elegant evening of strange, inventive brews, this is the event for you.

Thursday, June 6

Terrapin Takeover at Misconduct Tavern
Noon - midnight 
If there's one thing I miss from my time living in the South, it's beers from Athens, Ga.'s Terrapin Beer Company. The brewer will be on-hand sharing insight on some of their brews -- save me a Rye Pale Ale.

The Porch Beer Garden at 30th Street Station 
3 - 8 p.m. 
On June 6 and 7, ease your commute with a couple cold ones while enjoying sunshine, food trucks and live music.

5 Days of Firkins: Victory! at Oyster House    
5 - 7 p.m. 
Victory Brewing is debuting their Liberty Bell Ringer Imperial IPA. Oyster House will also have Summer Love on cask and $1 oysters.

Bell's BBQ Night at American Sardine Bar 
6 - 10 p.m. 
Bells beer plus barbecue from Chef Scott Schroeder? See you there.

Flying Fish Brewing Co.: Drink a Fish, Save a Kitty at Doobies Bar    
6:30  - 8:30 p.m.  
All proceeds from the sale of Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale benefit Valentines for Felines, a longtime favorite cause of Doobies' ownership.

After Hours at 9th Street: Cheese & Beer at Di Bruno Bros.  
7 - 9 p.m. 
It might cost $100, but that money will get you cheese pairings, gourmet treats, brews and two gorgeous books. Guests will receive a copy of DiBruno Bros.' new cheese book, written by local blogger and Flying Kite contributor Tenaya Darlington, and Cheese & Beer by Janet Fletcher.

Friday, June 7
 
All Weekend Wood at Resurrection Ale House     
11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m. 
 Stop by this Graduate Hospital gastro pub for a taste of something oaky -- everything on tap has been aged in barrels. This event lasts all weekend.

Lagunitas at Varga Bar      
4 - 7 p.m.  
This Marin country brewery is a personal favorite -- don't miss the hoppy stuff.

Anderson Valley BBQ at The Foodery - Northern Liberties
4 - 6 p.m. 
Foodery staff will set up a grill on 2nd Street and pour brews from this wonderful NoCal brewery.

GO ROGUE OR GO HOME at Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant
6 p.m. - 2 a.m. 
Another Pacific Northwest stunner, Rogue not only brews great beers but also distills artisanal spirits. They'll have both on hand this weekend. 

Saturday, June 8

Semi Annual Clearance Event at The Institute Bar    
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
It's time to clean the slate -- everything on tap is half-off through brunch. It's a great way to sample some beer week offerings on the cheap. 

BACON Bluegrass BBQ at Underground Arts    
1 - 6 p.m. 
Artisanal bacon, barbecue, bluegrass and beer -- this event sells itself.

Left Hand Tap Takeover at Silk City  
2 - 8 p.m. 
Hang out in Silk City's killer garden and enjoy beer from one of the country's best breweries -- it's never too hot for a Milk Stout.

Sunday, June 9

Extreme Beer Brunch at South Philadelphia Tap Room  
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
Close out Beer Week with rarities from Russian River, Firestone Walker, Allagash, Founders and more.

LEE STABERT is managing editor of Flying Kite. Follow her on Twitter @stabert.