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More than any other food-and-booze festival, Seattle Beer Week (May 10-20) feels like a sporting event: San Diego beer vs. Seattle’s, breweries going head-to-head. There are smack downs and wrestling jargon. There’s a brewers’ version of Iron Chef. It’s never a dull moment.

Despite its name, Seattle Beer Week doesn’t focus just on local beer. It’s also bragging rights for bars. Many pubs have stocked away acclaimed and cult beers just to showcase that week.

Bars, breweries and beer distributors will host about 100 events (beer tastings, food pairings) during those 11 days. The list of events is ever expanding. Check seattlebeerweek.com often for an updated schedule. Though not listed, most craft beer bars in Seattle will also hold special tastings. I know, it’s overwhelming. But here are five events I would suggest.

May 12: Quinn’s on Capitol Hill serves some of the best pub food in Seattle. Its Third Annual Pig Roast from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. is an all-the-pig-you can eat affair and includes drink tickets. Cost is $30 in advance or $35 at the door (206-325-7711 or www.quinnspubseattle.com).

May 13: Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle hosts Iron Brewer Triple Header, where six local brewers unveil beers they have created using ingredients assigned to them such as coconut and almonds. The most anticipated show down will feature the cult beer Black Raven Brewing Co. in Redmond vs. Odin Brewing of Seattle, both incorporating blackberry and lavender in their brews. Held 5-8 p.m. Beer costs around $5-$6 (www.beveridgeplacepub.com).

May 15: Brouwer’s Café in Fremont hosts several events, but I’m partial to its Beer-and-Burger contest, where one of the breweries featured is Oregon’s Hair of the Dog Brewing Company. It’s one of the essential Northwest beers you must try. That Portland brewery will compete with four other breweries including Fremont Brewing to see who makes the best burger. Their signature beers will be featured, too (brouwerscafe.blogspot.com).

May 20: Super Deli Mart’s third anniversary coincides with Seattle Beer Week, and this West Seattle convenience store is throwing a bash to remember. Free food and $5 growler fills on selected beers. Korean barbecue spare ribs, corn, hot dogs and salmon. A roasted pig might be added to the menu. On tap, about a dozen beers from New Belgium Brewing Company from Colorado. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (206-937-1442).

May 20: Noble Fir in Ballard hosts the official closing party, from 1-9 p.m. Two Beers Brewing Co. brewed a special imperial IPA for this event, and Ethan Stowell’s new Ballard Pizza Company will make a special pizza to send over to pair with that beer (thenoblefir.com).

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @tanvinhseattle.