clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

The Best SF Beer Week Events

View as Map

A brew lined up at the Monk's Kettle bar. [Photo: hrc333/Flickr]

As obsessive beer nerds, trying to sort out the brightest diamonds in the massive treasure chest that is SF Beer Week is always a tough task. However, we've persevered to select 15 events that we think are going to be really special. Many of them are rare and will sell out quickly or draw huge crowds, so be prepared to fight the hordes for that special glass of suds. And even those who aren't confirmed members of the Church of Beer should consider checking out one or two events this week; it's a great way to get to know what beer's all about, meet the people who make it, and compare different styles. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to go stab someone so we can secure our glass of Pliny the Younger.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Copy Link

Speakeasy's got a nifty new taproom by designer-about-town Kelly Malone, and they'll be showing it off on the 9th with 11 beers, food from Le Truc, and the release of their new Old Godfather barleywine.

St. Vincent

Copy Link

St. Vincent cicerone Sayre Piotrkowski is going all out with a duo of pairing dinners featuring two up-and-coming brewers from Pasadena and Capitola (Craftsman and Sante Adairius) and two Marin-area breweries (stalwart Marin Brewing and newcomer Henhouse).

St. Gregory of Nyssa

Copy Link

Yes, we listed a church here, but it's no ordinary church: St. Gregory of Nyssa will pay host to Almanac's Butchers & Beers party, featuring butchery demonstrations and food from Ryan Farr of 4505 Meats and plenty of suds from local brewers. Best of all, all proceeds go to support St. Gregory's food pantry.

Cerveceria de Mateveza

Copy Link

This Mission spot's got two interesting events planned: the first is that they'll be brewing a beer start-to-finish for Beer Week (brewing day is the 9th; drinking day is the 16th). They're also doing a special Salted Caramel Ale based on the most iconic flavor of neighboring Bi-Rite Creamery; on the 12th, you'll be able to try the beer and ice cream side by side or enjoy them together in a boozy float.

Monk’s Kettle

Copy Link

For sheer indulgence, it's hard to beat the Monk's Kettle's annual Trappist dinner, which features the brews of all eight Trappist breweries (yes, even the elusive Westvleteren 12). Dinner will set you back $195, but you'll leave more than pleased with what you've been sipping.

Kezar Bar & Restaurant

Copy Link

If you're looking to burn a few calories amidst all this beer consumption, Kezar's beer hike on the 9th should be a good way to check out Mount Sutro, drink delicious brews from Alaskan, and support conservation efforts up there.

Toronado

Copy Link

No Beer Week list would be complete without mentioning the big gun that started it all: the Toronado barleywine festival. It's utter mayhem, but you'll never try so many delicious (and alcoholic!) brews in one place.

City Beer Store

Copy Link

As always, City Beer Store manages to come up with some of Beer Week's most innovative and underground events and beers. A yeast tasting with White Labs' Kara Taylor? A sipping session with ultra-rare Berryessa Brewing Company? An AleSmith pairing dinner with Nojo's Greg Dunmore? Every event in their lineup is interesting.

Anchor & Hope

Copy Link

We're all about RateBeer's Best of the Bay party here, which will feature the best brews as chosen by the popular ranking site's users (hello, Pliny the Younger).

La Trappe

Copy Link

La Trappe scored the major coup of getting kegs of almost every brew in the legendary Zymatore collection of barrel-aged beers. The names may be unrecognizable to American eyes, but if you love sour and funky beers, it's unmissable.

Beer Revolution

Copy Link

Aging beer in whiskey and rum barrels is all the rage, but what about wine barrels? Check out the best vino-aged brews at this special tap takeover, featuring the wine-barrel-aged creations of Bear Republic, The Commons, Drake’s, Pacific Brewing Laboratory, Ale Industries, Upright, and Lompoc.

The Trappist Provisions

Copy Link

Mikkeller's Mikkel Borg Bjergsø is about as cult as cult brewers get, and his gypsy creations are coveted and often sell out. So the opportunity to do a small tasting for only 20 people with the man himself, meet his label designer Keith Shore, and score a signed Shore poster, all for $40? Make your reservations at the Trappist's new bottle shop while they've still got 'em.

Loading comments...

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Speakeasy's got a nifty new taproom by designer-about-town Kelly Malone, and they'll be showing it off on the 9th with 11 beers, food from Le Truc, and the release of their new Old Godfather barleywine.

St. Vincent

St. Vincent cicerone Sayre Piotrkowski is going all out with a duo of pairing dinners featuring two up-and-coming brewers from Pasadena and Capitola (Craftsman and Sante Adairius) and two Marin-area breweries (stalwart Marin Brewing and newcomer Henhouse).

St. Gregory of Nyssa

Yes, we listed a church here, but it's no ordinary church: St. Gregory of Nyssa will pay host to Almanac's Butchers & Beers party, featuring butchery demonstrations and food from Ryan Farr of 4505 Meats and plenty of suds from local brewers. Best of all, all proceeds go to support St. Gregory's food pantry.

Cerveceria de Mateveza

This Mission spot's got two interesting events planned: the first is that they'll be brewing a beer start-to-finish for Beer Week (brewing day is the 9th; drinking day is the 16th). They're also doing a special Salted Caramel Ale based on the most iconic flavor of neighboring Bi-Rite Creamery; on the 12th, you'll be able to try the beer and ice cream side by side or enjoy them together in a boozy float.

Monk’s Kettle

For sheer indulgence, it's hard to beat the Monk's Kettle's annual Trappist dinner, which features the brews of all eight Trappist breweries (yes, even the elusive Westvleteren 12). Dinner will set you back $195, but you'll leave more than pleased with what you've been sipping.

Kezar Bar & Restaurant

If you're looking to burn a few calories amidst all this beer consumption, Kezar's beer hike on the 9th should be a good way to check out Mount Sutro, drink delicious brews from Alaskan, and support conservation efforts up there.

Toronado

No Beer Week list would be complete without mentioning the big gun that started it all: the Toronado barleywine festival. It's utter mayhem, but you'll never try so many delicious (and alcoholic!) brews in one place.

City Beer Store

As always, City Beer Store manages to come up with some of Beer Week's most innovative and underground events and beers. A yeast tasting with White Labs' Kara Taylor? A sipping session with ultra-rare Berryessa Brewing Company? An AleSmith pairing dinner with Nojo's Greg Dunmore? Every event in their lineup is interesting.

Anchor & Hope

We're all about RateBeer's Best of the Bay party here, which will feature the best brews as chosen by the popular ranking site's users (hello, Pliny the Younger).

La Trappe

La Trappe scored the major coup of getting kegs of almost every brew in the legendary Zymatore collection of barrel-aged beers. The names may be unrecognizable to American eyes, but if you love sour and funky beers, it's unmissable.

Beer Revolution

Aging beer in whiskey and rum barrels is all the rage, but what about wine barrels? Check out the best vino-aged brews at this special tap takeover, featuring the wine-barrel-aged creations of Bear Republic, The Commons, Drake’s, Pacific Brewing Laboratory, Ale Industries, Upright, and Lompoc.

The Trappist Provisions

Mikkeller's Mikkel Borg Bjergsø is about as cult as cult brewers get, and his gypsy creations are coveted and often sell out. So the opportunity to do a small tasting for only 20 people with the man himself, meet his label designer Keith Shore, and score a signed Shore poster, all for $40? Make your reservations at the Trappist's new bottle shop while they've still got 'em.

Related Maps