By Adrian Spinelli
It’s time to get thirsty folks, ’cause SF Beer Week is just around the corner. From February 6th-15th, the San Francisco Brewers Guild will be running their 7th annual rendition of the Bay Area bender with over 600+ events planned around 82 Northern California craft breweries, bars, and restaurants.
Ultimately, there’s something for everyone here. No matter how big of a beer lover you are, or whether you live in Oakland, San Francisco, Marin or the South Bay. Look forward to tap takeovers, a ton of special releases, cooking classes, demos, dinners, pairings, “meet the brewers” events, music, bites, sour beers, pale ales, lagers, beers you’ve never heard of but can’t live without and more.
Here’s a hand-picked list of some of the events and other notable tidbits that have us excited. Definitely check out the full SF Beer Week schedule of confirmed events that is being added to daily. Cheers!
United Sours of America, Feb. 7th (11 a.m. — 11:30 p.m.)
Monk’s Kettle (3141 16th St.)
All 28 taps at Monk’s Kettle will be pouring some of the finest sour beers in all of the land. If you haven’t gotten on board with the sour beer craze, this is the ultimate crash course, highlighted by offerings from Almanac Brewing (Dogpatch), The Bruery (Orange County), and Vintage Russian River Brew Co (Santa Rosa). They open at 11 a.m., but be warned they expect big lines.
The SF Brewers Guild Official Festival Beer
Everywhere
Each year, the Guild produces one celebration beer to bear that year’s festival’s name. This year’s highlight, Swept By Fire, will be produced at Fort Point Brewing Company (Presidio). It’s a hoppy smoked pale ale which “is a tribute to SF’s brewing industry in 1906, which was decimated by the great earthquake and fire.” Swept By Fire should be readily available at many beer week events throughout the festivities and is “made with smoked beachwood malt and charred almond wood, roasted at the brewery, and balanced with hop flavors and aroma that verge on tropical fruit, citrus, and candy.” If you don’t think that sounds delicious, then YOU’RE A LIAR!
Beerunch, Feb. 8th (11:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.)
Public House (24 Willie Mays Pl.)
The best part about Beer Week Events at Public House is that the place is huge so it’s not as difficult to get in as other venues. Your $49 ticket includes a carefully paired special boozy brunch with brews from Woods Beer Co. (Mission), Moonlight Brewing (Santa Rosa), Fort Point (Presidio), Stillwater (Maryland), and Monkey Paw (San Diego).
Battle of The Guilds, Feb. 8th (1pm — 5pm)
Zeitgeist (199 Valencia)
A throwdown of 15 beers each from the best breweries in LA, SF, and San Diego. We can finally once and for all settle the #firstworldproblems debate of which California city has the best beer. And it’s at Zeitgeist?! Bring it SoCal!
Any Event at Hog’s Apothecary in Oakland
Hog’s Apothecary (375 40th St., Oakland)
Hog’s Apothecary beer director and Certified Cicerone Sayre Piotrkowski is a craft beer shaman of sorts. To hear him speak about beer is a journey into a brilliant subculture and an opportunity to learn the nuances of this godly beverage. He’ll be joined by brewers from Sierra Nevada (Chico), Craftsman Brewing (Pasadena), Ol’ Republic (Nevada City), and Societe Brewing (SD) throughout the week for special beer flights, tastings and guided talks. Get there.
Evening With Allagash Brewery, Feb. 10th (3:14 p.m. — 11:30 p.m.)
Pi Bar (1432 Valencia St.)
It pains me to list this event, because I want all of you to go somewhere else! I want all of Portland, Maine’s magnificent Allagash beers for myself. Seriously though, Pi Bar has consistently produced the best SF Beer Week tap takeover events over the years and if you don’t make it to the Allagash night, they’ll also have similar events with with Sierra Nevada, Russian River, Fort Point, and Anchor Brewing Company. But really, you should just like … stay on the couch or something instead …
Drinker, Heal Thyself! Shaman Series Release, Feb. 15th (12–4 p.m.)
Cerveceria de Mateveza (3801 18th St.)
Woods Beer Co. has an amazing concept on deck at its Mission brewpub Cervecería de MateVeza. Brewing “a series of medicinal, healing beers, using locally foraged herbs and ancient sacred recipes.” This has gotta be one of the most unique detox ideas yet, coming from a brewery that frequently uses yerba mate in their beers. Here’s to your health!
To maximize your fun, go on their website and create your own itinerary of events that looks cool/convenient to you. You won’t be disappointed. Happy drinking!
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