SF Beer Week is HERE!

SF Beer Week is finally here! If you haven’t done your homework and need to get caught up, insert “SF Beer Week” into The Full Pint search bar. The event listing has been updated and now includes nearly 500 events (no, you cannot attend them all). Events range from an opening “gala” to disc golf sponsored by a local brewery. There’s a little something for everyone.

As an SF Week veteran, here are some recommended events:

• If you’re only attend one event during SF Beer Week: SF Beer Week Opening Celebration, February 8th, 6-10pm. An excellent way to kick off SF Beer Week, find out information about upcoming events, and taste great beer from local breweries. Over 65 breweries from Northern California will pour new, rare and classic beers. Pliny the Younger has been known to make a guest appearance at previous Opening Celebrations. Hopefully you have your ticket – this event is sold out! If you didn’t get a ticket, you can wander over to 21st Amendment Brewery – a strong beer should cheer you up.
• If you’re looking to join a band of gypsies: During SF Beer Week the Band of Gypsies will be setting up “camp” in different bars each day, featuring the Belgian Tramp collaboration beer, as well as drafts from each individual brewery. The Band of Gypsies is a collaboration project started by 8 local breweries in the SF Bay area. Follow them on Facebook here.
• If you’re feeling hoppy: The 13th Annual Double IPA Festival, February 9th, 11-6pm. Over 60 double and triple IPAs. Hopocalypse Black Label will be available to taste (in case you didn’t make the release party). $50.00 admission. The events is held at The Bistro in Hayward.
• If you’re STILL feeling hoppy: Annual IPA Event with Pliny the Younger, Hopocalypse Black, and more at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose, 11am – close on February 17th.  Harry’s Hofbrau will feature 28 drafts of IPAs. Information has not yet been released on when Pliny the Younger will be tapped. Pay as you taste. Be sure to check out other Harry’s Hofbrau events at both the Redwood City and San Jose locations – including tap takeovers with Ballast Point, The Bruery, Dogfish Head, Firestone Walker, and Stone.
• If you’re looking for a Sour Sunday: Sour Sunday appears to be the trend this year with five events ranging from San Francisco, to Palo Alto, to Berkeley. If you’re in the Berkeley neighborhood (or willing to venture out) check out the Sour Sunday at Triple Rock Brewery and Jupiter Brewpub beginning at 11:30am on Sunday, February 10th. Over 80 sour and barrel aged beer will be available. $30 admission includes a commemorative glass and 8 tickets.
• If you’re venturing over to Oakland: Brewpublic & Beer Revolution Present: Wine Barrel Aged Tastival at Beer Revolution, February 9th, 2-11pm – Tap takeover of beers aged in wine barrels. A few of the breweries featuring beer for this event include Bear Republic, The Commons, Drake’s, Pacific Brewing Laboratory, Ale Industries, Upright, Lompoc, and much more. Pay as you taste.
• If you’re looking for a rare opportunity: Rare Beer Tasting – February 17, 5-7pm – Fat Angel, San Francisco – An opportunity to taste extremely rare beer for the chosen few (limited to 28 tickets total). The lineup is as follows: Russian River Brewing’s Temptation Batch #005 (2009) in 3-liter format, Stone Brewing’s Double Bastard 2005, 2008, 2011 in 3-liter format, Russian River Brewing’s Damnation Batch #44 (2008) in 3-liter format, Stone Brewing’s 10th Anniversary IPA (2006) in 3-liter format, Alaska Brewing’s Smoked Porter 2005, 2007, 2011, & The Bruery’s Melange #3 (Blend of White Oak Sap wheat wine, Anniversary Series old ale, and Black Tuesday imperial stout). In addition, for the extremely lucky, a Reserve Tasting will include Three Floyds Dark Lord vintage 2007 & 2008, Westvleteren XII, & Russian River’s Toronado 20th Anniversary.