February 10-19, 2012
This year’s unofficial San Francisco Beer Week theme seems to be growth. The SF Brewers Guild has decided to move this year’s Opening Celebration to the Concourse Exhibition Center on 8th Street in the heart of the city. This will allow more people than ever to join in the revelry.
To help you pin down a few must-sees amid the hundreds of events happening in and around San Francisco, here’s a list of Beer West’s SFBW picks.
SF Beer Week Opening Celebration
February 10, 6-10pm
$65 admission
The Opening Celebration will boast local food and music, and according to Brian Stechschulte of the San Francisco Brewers Guild, an upwards of 65 breweries pouring beers, favorites and rarities alike, and they’ll pour right into your own Beer Week commemorative glass. An official list of all the breweries attending is available at sfbeerweek.org.
3rd Annual SF Beer Week Run
February 12, 11am
Take a scenic jog through Golden Gate Park from starting at Social Kitchen & Brewery. There’s an optional beer break point at Magnolia Pub, and runners get a dollar off beers when they make it back to home base. The Social Kitchen will also be having a charity raffle after the run. Proceeds go to the Autism Speaks and the Contra Costa County Food Bank, donated in the memory of Oakland beer writer, Bill Brand.
Valentine’s is for Beer Lovers:
Check out Local Beer, Local Chocolate at Rosamunde Sausage Grill or the Oyster Extravaganza at the Magnolia Pub & Grill on the 14th. Used to sipping wine on sweetheart’s day? Head to Wine Affairs for the Valentine’s Beer vs. Wine Pairing.
East Bay Brew Fest
Thursday, February 16
Tickets to this first-ever East Bay festival on will benefit the Berkeley Food & Housing Project. Click here for more details.
Ladies’ Nights Out
There is a flurry of happenings for women only at this year’s SF Beer Week. Devil’s Canyon Brewery in Belmont will host women-only tastings on the 15th and 16th, and February 18th is Strong Women Brew Day at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing.
Black and White Beer Ball
Saturday, February 17, 6-10pm
Ales for Autism is pouring unlimited black and white beers at this cocktail attire gala at the Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor. Dance to live music, and find a buddy for the professional photo booth. Limited pre-sale tickets benefiting the organization are still available.
Organic Orgy
Friday, February 18, 4-7pm
Join Beer West Magazine at Thirsty Bear Brewing Company for the Organic Orgy, a celebration of green beers featuring beer from all of California’s certified organic brewers: Bison, Butte Creek, Eel River, MataVeza, Napa Smith, Santa Cruz Mountain, Sierra Nevada (Estate Ale), ThirstyBear, Ukiah, and Uncommon.
Recurring Events
Haight Street’s funky tavern Alembic will feature a daily beer cocktail.
The Strong Beers & Strong Salads menu at Social Kitchen & Brewery will pair five strong beers with 5 fresh salads.
The Elixir will sport a Shot and a Beer menu all week.
Design and organize your own SFBW itinerary with the free SFBW app, and keep up with @sfbeerweek on Twitter. Another smart phone app, Untapped, allows you to check in at various beer week events and earn a variety of special badges. Claim the SF Beer Week badge by attending at least three official events. For a complete list of SFBW events, visit sfbeerweek.org.
See you there.
– Words by Neal Fischer
