The opening night gala at SF Beer Week is returning in 2024, with nearly 100 Bay Area breweries slated to pour their brews at the Feb. 9 event. And that’s just the start of this year’s jam-packed craft beer festival lineup.
The pandemic cancelled SF Beer Week three years ago, but each year since, we’ve seen it slowly return from that low point, albeit with changes. To reduce health risks, for example, the opening night event was split into smaller, regional events the last two years, making the events more regional.
But with 2024, we’re seeing the restoration of one big gala celebrating the entire Bay Area beer scene. SF Beer Week will kick off its “Back on the Pier” festivities with an opening gala set to run from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 9 at Pier 35 on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
By mid-January, nearly 100 Bay Area breweries had signed up to pour at the event, which includes food, music and other activities. Tickets are $95 for general admission, $150 for VIP access starting an hour earlier, and $275 for premium, which includes early access and a new Astro Lounge that will serve exclusive beers from Russian River, Cellarmaker and more. (Find ticket details at bit.ly/sfbeerwktix.)
The festival will run from Feb. 9 to 18, with more than 100 events scheduled. Here are a few of my perennial favorites:
The 24th annual Double IPA Festival at Hayward’s The Bistro celebrates all things hoppy, pouring 80 double IPAs and offering live music and tasty food from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 10.
SF Beer Week is set to run Feb. 9-18 this year and will feature an opening night gala and an array of events to celebrate the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and more. (Courtesy Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Several Super Bowl watch (and beer enoyment) parties are set for Feb. 11, if you’re looking for somewhere special to watch the commercials or the game. Look for more to be added soon.
Valentine’s Day brings several romantically inclined events, many pairing beer and chocolate. Among them: a beer dinner at San Jose’s Fox Tale, a speed dating event with TCHO chocolate at San Leandro’s 21st Amendment Brewery, a beer and cookie pairing at San Rafael’s Monk’s Kettle Terra Linda, and a cheesecake and stout pairing event at Harmonic’s Chase Center location in San Francisco.
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Beyond the usual events, there are always a few eclectic things taking place — and I love to see creative ways to celebrate beer. Black Hammer Brewing will host another Sparkle Hunt, which challenges people to find one of 18, non-alcoholic “Sparkle Pony” cans hidden in scenic spots around the Bay Area. Clues drop on February 18. Find a can and win a prize.
On Feb. 10, San Carlos’ Devil’s Canyon will host the 10th annual West Coast Craft Can Invitational and Oakland’s Drake’s Dealership will hold Uptown Funk, a great name for a beer and cheese pairing. Expect at least two chili cook-offs in San Francisco and Morgan Hill. And there’s a Twilight Cruise on the Bay hosted by the S.F. Brewing Co. The event takes place aboard the Enhydra, the newest and largest member of the Red and White Fleet, and the first lithium-ion battery hybrid vessel in the country.
Ending the week: Trumer will host the annual Celebration of Craft, which is a benefit for the California Craft Brewers Association. Some 35 breweries, one for every year the CCBA has been around, will pour beer on Feb. 17, and there will be food, games and other diversions.
More events are being added on a near-daily basis. Find the latest schedule at sfbeerweek.org.
Contact Jay R. Brooks at [email protected].
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