Tonight, as you’ve likely heard, is the kickoff of the fifth annual San Francisco Beer Week. It’s a cool event in that nothing else of this scale, in the way of craft beer tastings, happens in Northern California except for maybe the California Beer Festival, and that doesn’t go on for nine days across multiple counties. Things begin as they have the past several years, with a supremely sudsy grand tasting at the Concourse Pavilion featuring some 78 California breweries. That event, sadly, is already sold out, but there is plenty more to come over the next nine days, and below we’ve laid out a few highlights you may want to consider — especially if you or a loved one is a true connoisseur of trippels and barrel-aged brews.
Also, here’s a primer of the city’s most prominent breweries, brewpubs, and beer sources, courtesy of The Bold Italic. And see the full Beer Week schedule here.
SF Beer Week 2013 Highlights
Brewtruc Bus Tours - Both weekends: We mentioned it yesterday, but be advised that a fine way of shuttling around town between beer bars would be aboard this mobile taproom, so that you never have to go thirsty between destinations.
Speakeasy Tasting Room Opening - Saturday, February 9: Speakeasy’s big Bayview brewing facility now has a subterranean tasting room, and the grand opening party is from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, at which there will be plenty of rare beers to taste. They’ve also got events going on all week.
Barrel-Aged Beer ‘Tastival’ at Beer Revolution - February 9: Oakland’s Beer Revolution and Beerpublic are hosting this festival of barrel-aged brews from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. More info here.
Anderson Valley at Pi Bar - February 11: Fans of Boont Amber and Anderson Valley’s beers should try to make it to this private tasting with the brewers. More info here.
Sierra Nevada at Southern Pacific - February 14: Assuming you don’t have Valentine’s plans, come check out ten unique brews from Sierra Nevada as they take over the taps at Southern Pacific Brewing Co. in the Mission. More info here.
Butchers & Beers - Friday, February 15: Join 4505 Meats’ Ryan Farr and seven local breweries — including Almanac, Speakeasy, and Anchor — for this fun and filling event at St. Gregory’s in Potrero Hill. There’ll be a whole pig butchery demo, plenty of food, and lots of beer to try. Plus, it’s a benefit for the Food Pantry. Get tickets here.
Trumer Pils Takes Over the SoMa StrEat Food Park - Friday, February 15: Meet the brewers from Trumer Pils and enjoy Trumer-inspired food-truck fare. 5 p.m. to midnight.
Toronado’s 20th Annual Barleywine Festival - Saturday February 16: It’s the 20th year for this tribute to potent barleywines, and it goes on all day, with no admission charge. Also, for the true geeks, you can prepare your palate for the fest the night before at a special tasting of “spiked” barleywines with Master Cicerone Rich Higgins. More info at Toronado’s website.
Magnolia’s Beer Brunch - Saturday and Sunday, February 16-17: In conjunction with the Barleywine Festival, Magnolia’s serving brunch, with full English-style breakfasts, weisswurst, and more. More info here.
’Seed to Kernal’ Beer Dinner at St. Vincent - February 17: The second of two of these dinners at St. Vincent sounds like one of the better beer pairing events all week. Taste dishes paired with beers from Marin Brewing Company and HenHouse, as chosen by beer sommelier Sayre Piotrkowski. More info here.
