Calling all California craft beer enthusiasts! 2024 promises to be another year brimming with sudsy adventures, and we've got the lowdown on all the must-attend events to fill your calendar. Mark your dates, dust off your growlers, and get ready to raise a toast to the Golden State's vibrant brewing scene!
First up, the crown jewel: SF Beer Week (February 3rd - 11th).
This legendary 9-day extravaganza transforms San Francisco into a hophead's paradise, with hundreds of events spanning brewery tours, beer dinners, tap takeovers, and, of course, the unmissable Opening Gala. Brace yourself for limited-release brews, collaborations galore, and enough beer-soaked merriment to fill a schooner (or ten!).
But wait, there's more! Beyond the Bay Area, craft beer celebrations erupt all year long.
For a taste of coastal cool, head down to San Diego for the North Park Festival of Beers (April 6th). This event offers San Diego's finest breweries, plus live music, delicious food, and sun-kissed vibes.
Summer heats up with the Rocklin Brewfest (June 1st), featuring live music, local eats, and enough beer to cool you down on the hottest day.
A couple of excellent festivals that don't yet have information for their 2024 events is Hen House Brewing's Frestival that takes place in May or June and Firestone Walker Invitational which happens in June.
If you're interested in something closer to home, the Bay Area has plenty of events throughout the year. From yoga and beer sessions to charcuterie workshops with beer pairings, there's something for everyone who loves a good brew and a unique experience. Keep an eye on your local breweries' social media and event calendars to stay in the loop.
Here are just some of the events already on our calendar!
Bay Area Brew Fest: This massive festival returns to the Presidio Lawn with over 70 breweries, 200 beers, food trucks, lawn games, and live music. It's a great way to sample a wide variety of beers from the Bay Area and beyond. (Saturday, April 20th, 12:00 PM)
Beerathon Presents: SF Beer Fest: This inaugural festival takes place at the Fort Mason Center and features specially curated beers, live entertainment, and a limited ticket capacity. (Saturday, May 11th, 12:00 PM)
The SF Brewers Guild, the same team that brings us SF Beer Week, puts on a incredible beer tasting on the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, Brews on the Bay, typically in October. This super unique event is a little beer festival held aboard a WWII ship, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, at Pier 35 in SF. Typically around 20 breweries along with food vendors! Keep an eye out for more info on this one!
And finally, one for the animal lovers out there, the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA put on a Bark 'n Brewfest at the end of June every year. They don't have information up for the event yet, so the link takes you to their 2023 event. What a better way to raise funds for fur babies in need of forever homes!