Summer’s premier beer events, the WYES private beer sampling and international beer tasting, take place this weekend, Friday and Saturday night at Mardi Gras World.

Beer fans having a blast at the 2012 WYES International Tasting event

Friday’s offerings include over 75 hard-to-get craft beers, specially made cask and home brews, such as Crooked Letter Brewing Company’s Gipsy IPA and Gnarly Barley’s Porter Rican. NOLA Brewing will represent with their hop-monster Mechahopzilla and a one-off cask they’re making specifically for the event.

WYES Beer Wenches on duty at the 2012 International Tasting

Tasting tickets for Friday are $50 and include food from Sun Ray Grill, while advance tickets for Saturday (featuring 275 beers, including Creole Red Beans and Rice Ale from 40 Arpent Brewing Company in Arabi) are $30 with food available from four local food trucks: Dat Dog, Foodie Call, La Cocinita and Rue Chow. For more info and tickets, visit www.wyes.org/beer where you can also download a brochure with all the beers and breweries listed.

This year's WYES Private & International Beer Tastings take place on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 at Mardi Gras World.