Boston, Chicago, and New York: It’s a 3-day weekend and an exchange holiday—what better way to celebrate Presidents’ Day than by raising a few pints in its honor?

Brooklyn Brewery invites a few friends over for a visit this Sunday. Want a nice porchetta sandwich to go with that ale? You’ve got it.

NEW YORK

Friday, February 17: Beer School at Jimmy’s 43, East Village. Having an easy Friday? Amble in to Jimmy’s, where a 6-beer tasting begins at 3 p.m. and runs till the evening. You’ll get a lesson on beer brewing, the history of each beer, and a primer on brewing techniques. 43 East 7^th Street, East Village | 212-982-3006

Till Saturday, February 18: MexiQ and Brooklyn Brewery Dinner Pairing, Astoria. Starting Thursday, February 16, MexiQ Chef Jonathan Van Sleet pairs his cuisine with four of Brooklyn Brewery’s creations. Thirsty for more? Try out any of the other 48 beers on tap. There’s more to beer in this neighborhood than that beer garden, you know. Call ahead to reserve your table. 37-11 30^th Avenue, Astoria | 718-626-0333

Sunday, February 19: SmorgasBrewery at Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg. It’s Sunday, the Super Bowl is over, spring training isn’t quite on yet, and hoops aren’t worth watching for another two weeks. Manhattanites, a simple ride from the L train at 14^th Street and an exit at the first stop in Brooklyn will bring you to the brewery and, at noon, five of its food truck and restaurant friends: the East Village’s Porchetta will be there, ready to ply you with slow roasted pork to slurp down with a nice, crisp Sorachi Ace brew. #1 Brewers Row, 79 North 11^th Street, Williamsburg | 718-486-7422

CHICAGO

Friday, February 17: Metropolitan Benefit Tapping, Chicago. Usher in the long weekend with a few pints poured for a good cause: at Small Bar, which also hosted last year’s benefit for Best Buddies charity. This year, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the bar will host the tapping of a beer brewed in 2011 by last year’s benefit winner. All proceeds from the sale of the new beer will go toward Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, companionship, and work assistance for people with developmental disorders. 1415 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago | 773-525-2727

Saturday, February 18: Polar Beer Outdoor Festival, Chicago. Put on your best parka and be ready to revel in the brief winter afternoon sunshine: starting at noon and until four p.m., 25 beers from 12 of Chicago’s local microbreweries will be outside at Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant, laughing with you at Mother Nature. Light snacks will be served with the beer, and a warming room will be provided too. 1 West Grand Avenue, Chicago | 312-755-9339

BOSTON

Friday, February 17: Faneuil Hall Beer Wars at McCormick & Schmick’s. One in a series of wars, attendees taste 2 beers, vote for their favorite, and ones who rack up the most votes move up to the next round of tastings. Call ahead to reserve a seat for yourself: the 2 beers come with 5 courses of food at a handy $50, which includes tax and tip. 1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston | 617-720-5522

Saturday, February 18: Beer Geek Week – Harpoon Leviathan and Brooklyn Black Ops Tasting, Bukowski’s Tavern. It’s Vintage night at Bukowski’s where, as a series of Beer Geek nights held this week, bottles of aged 2010 beer will be released for your enjoyment. How does a wheat beer hold up after almost two  years? 50 Dalton Street, Boston | 617-437-9999