BoozeNews

SF Beer Week, The Greatest Week of the Year

The Bay's best newsletter for underground events & news

Beer drinkers from every corner of the Bay will be stroking their beards and sipping the finest ales, sours, stouts, porters, pilsners, and pub ales the world has ever seen…why?  Because it’s SF Beer Week, and there will be hundreds of new beers to try and all sorts of fun events filled with drinking, eating, game playing, tasting, and shmoozing.   This year there are 5 new beers made by Bay Area Brewers Guild members from 5 different regions: San Francisco proper, the East Bay, the South Bay, the North Bay and the Coast (Santa Cruz and Monterey).  The beers are collaborations, which is at heart what Bay Area brewing is at its core.

The SF beer collaboration “Common Dreams” is designed by Laughing Monk and Bartlett Hall, and brewed at Speakeasy.   It’s brewed in the California Common style of brewing, the very same way that Anchor Steam has been doing it since 1896.  Or so, tells me Brenden Dobel, the Brewmaster of Thirsty Bear, between sips of a double IPA, “So it’s as San Franciscan as it gets.”  Dobel knows a bit about beer history, Thirsty Bear still pours some its beers out of the cask, (C02 free) like they’ve been serving beer for thousands of years.  “Or at least since before the 1930s and mass refrigeration,” says Dobel, “it changes the notes of the beer completely!”

North Bay Nexus, Silicon Valley’s ‘Cloud Based Compression IPA’, ‘Rice Stratasphere’ from the East Bay, & “Surf ‘n Burps” from the Santa Craz.  All the collabs used Admiral Hops

I asked several SF Brewmasters what beers and events they were looking forward to at this year’s SF Beer Week, and I listed them below, I also added parties that look good to me, and of course our awesome collaborative party with Laughing Monk Brewery and Play in the Bay games on Feb 15th, that’s going to be super fun.

See you out there San Francisco!


SF Beer Week Opening Gala

Beer expert and Pubcast podcaster Chris Luecke’s favorite beer week event is, “The Beer Week gala, 130 brewers from the greater Bay Area, on San Francisco piers, you can’t beat that.”

Expect tart, salty or sultry sours alongside subtle funk, hop bombs cloudy and clear, brawny barrel-aged brews, and a wide range of beer styles traditional and experimental — all the creativity and innovation that has made Northern California one of the best beer-producing regions in the world. Plus, participating in this event helps support small local independent breweries as part of the Bay Area Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade association.

FRIDAY
February 7, 2020
6:00 PM – 4 Hours
Pier 35
1454 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
Tickets – $80-125


LAUGHING MONK & BROKE ASS STUART’S BEER WEEK CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

Laughing Monk Brewmaster Jeff Moakler recommends you try the “Strata Breach- SMASH West Coast IPA with Admiral Maltings and Strata Hops, & Razzle Reserve- A Blend of Raspberry Oatmeal Stout in Whiskey BBLS and Imperial Stout in WHiskey BBLS.”

This is going to be a super fun day…again! The gaming experts at Play in the Bay Sport & Social Club are holding three tournaments throughout the day at Laughing Monk with us! There are going to be sweet prizes of $100, $50, $25 gift certificates for the winning teams, (you could win beer and money by beating Stuart at cornhole…which is…pretty fucking easy). And don’t forget about all the delicious beers on hand!  Plus Meat By Pete the Bay Area specialist in gourmet sausages, smoked meats and traditional French charcuterie will be there serving up delicious grub.

The first tournament will start at 1pm with additional tournaments starting at 3pm & 5PM.
The tournament is free to enter and there are some sweet prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  Must be 21+ to compete in the tournament

Lot’s of awesome Laughing Monk beers to try while supplies last!:
Brother Murray: Hazy IPA with Vermont yeast and 3 different hops; 6.7% ABV
#For The Graham: Nitro Ale brewed with graham crackers and chocolate; 5.8% ABV
Meet You in Helles: Helles lager collab with Corralitos Brewing, SMaSH beer; 5% ABV
Mussels from Brussels: Mussel stout brewed with mussels and oysters; 6.8% ABV
Tiki Tiki: kettle sour with lactose, coconut, orange, mango, pineapple, and guava; 5% ABV
$4 Holy Ghost Pilsner: German style pilsner; 5.2% ABV

February 15, 2020
12:00 PM – Until Close
Laughing Monk Brewing
1439 Egbert Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94124

Alex Mak, local beer drinker and part-time dog enthusiast recommends:

Slice Beer Co. Dog Day Afternoon @ Lucky 13

Kegs are limited, so if you want a chance to try a few, arrive early! Bring your pooch for a pint, or come to meet your future best friend at the on-side-adoption fair. Commemorative bandanas for all four-legged attendants while supplies last.

SATURDAY
February 8, 2020
12:00 PM – Until Supply Runs Out
Lucky 13
2140 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114
free – info here

Stuart Schuffman commonly known as ‘Broke-Ass Stuart’ recommends:

The Roost 2020: The Imaginary Restaurant From HenHouse & The Pleasure Principle Returns!

The Roost will be open from Saturday February 8th – Friday February 14th. Each night will feature the same slate of beers paired with an entirely new menu, created by a different chef. Each dinner will be limited to 30 seats and actively hosted by that night’s chef and the HenHouse Brewing Company squad.  open each night at 5:30 for a happy hour selection of beer and snacks, followed by a ticketed dinner service to begin at 7pm

Best Life – Extraordinary Everyday Beer
HenHouse Saison – Farmhouse Style Ale with Spices
Oyster Stout – Dry Stout with Hog Island Oysters and Sea Salt
An Honest Day’s Work – Red Rye Saison
Mandela Effect – IPA

Tickets and food schedule here


Island Vibes Food Fest @ Harmonic Brewery

Zack, a brewer at Speakeasy, recommended I try Harmonic’s, ‘Team Meeting’ lager, because “it’s a collaborative beer, and it’s really good.”  I asked Harmonic Brewer Jon Verna why it’s called ‘a team meeting’, and he explained that when the bartenders get together to do a shot/drink during their shifts, they call it a ‘team meeting’.  So I had my own ‘team meeting’ to find out for myself, and yeah, it’s a good SF style lager, there are mosaic and Rakau hops in there.

A food festival dedicated to the unique eats from the islands and lands in Southeast Asia and beyond. Capturing the island vibes the best way they know how, through food and beer!

Food Vendors:
Chef Chris Yang (@El_Chino_Grande) – Taiwanese & Hawaiian inspired grinds
Tum.Lum.Tum.La (@Tum.Lum.Tum.La) – Vietnamese style grilled skewers
Prubechu (@RestaurantPrubechu) – Chamorro food, Island of Guam!
Ox + Tiger (@Oxandtiger) – Filipino x Japanese inspired cuisine
Not Too Sweet by Penelope Lao (@Pennymint) – island inspired desserts by former Liho Liho Pastry chef

-Beer Release: Collab Double IPA with Barebottle Brewing, Invisible Haze! Incredibly drinkable IPA that is soft on the pallet, and absolutely clear. Compare and contrast with their Visible Haze, and you will see that clear beer is just as juicy and drinkable as the hazies!

SATURDAY
February 8, 2020
2:00 PM – Until Supply Runs Out
Harmonic Brewing
1050 26th St
San Francisco, CA 94107

Free – Info Here


SFBW: Sheltering Tree Day!

Bartlett Head Brewer Nick Mamere recommends you try his Powell Street porter and Laughing Monk’s Imperial Coffee N’ Cream.  You should also checkout this fundi for Aus fire victims.

Come celebrate the release of Sheltering Dingoes, a limited Australian Galaxy and Enigma hopped variant of our house favorite Sheltering Tree IPA!

Taste it next to the American hopped original for a heightened appreciation of what these highly regarded Aussie hops can do!

One dollar of every pint of the entire batch of  Sheltering Dingoes sold at the brewery will go to WIRES Native Animal Rescue to provide aid to Australian wildlife impacted by the fires.

Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Bartlett Hall
242 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, California 94102
FREE

 


Blind Tiger Release Party @ Speakeasy

SATURDAY
February 8, 2020
12:00 PM – Until Close
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
1195 Evans Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94124

Russian River Brewing Company Tap Takeover @ Richmond Republic


Kicking off SFBW 2020 with a Russian River 12 tap takeover. Flights available. Brunch served til 3pm, dinner til 11pm. Not as cool as their new Windsor brewery, but a hellava lot closer!

SATURDAY
February 8, 2020
9:30 AM – Until Close
Richmond Republic Draught House
642 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94118
Free 

Damn this VD with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence @ Laughing Monk Brewing

A Benefit Evening Featuring Games and other frivolity Nun-Style w/ Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. & Prizes!

Fire2Smoke will be serving up some AMAZING BBQ from 5-9PM.  The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns. We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty.

“Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment.  We use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.”

FRIDAY
February 14, 2020
4:00 PM – Until Close
Laughing Monk Brewing
1439 Egbert Ave., Unit A
San Francisco, CA 94124
FREE Info Here

Cask and Queso, Triple Fermented @ Thirsty Bear

Want a teaser? Check out these 2019 breweries, beer style and cheeses !
21st Amendment, Wheat wine paired with Fat Bottom Girl, Admiral Maltings, Strong Mild paired with Brabander,  Anchor Brewing Co, Dark wheat, paired with Chocolate Stout Cheddar,  Drake’s, Hopocalypse DIPA paired with Hop along, Freewheel, ESB, paired with Bandage Bismark and many many more.

This is one of the premiere SF Beer Week events — It sells out every year, get your tickets now. $40 for unlimited beer, cheese and bread tastings and a ThirstyBear logo-ed glass!

FRIDAY
February 14, 2020
6:00 PM – 3 Hours
ThirstyBear Organic Brewery
661 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA 94105

Anchor & Hope Annual Shrimp Boil

Anchor & Hope’s annual Shrimp Boil! All-you-can-eat shrimp and all-you-can-drink draft beer for $50. This year, we are partnering with three local breweries including San Francisco Brewing Company and ThirstyBear Organic Brewery. The event will be offered in two seatings: the first from 5:00-7:00 and the second from 7:30-9:30. Make your reservations over the phone 415.501.9100. It’s a party that can’t be missed!

WEDNESDAY
February 12, 2020
5:00 PM – 4 Hours
Anchor & Hope
83 Minna St
San Francisco, CA 94105
reservations over the phone 415.501.9100

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin @ Sycamore

Sycamore

Velvet Merkin is the beer that almost wasn’t…Indeed, this vintage oatmeal stout’s comical (or is it scandalous?) name went off the grid for several years, but now it’s back due to popular demand. Velvet Merkin is aged for a full year in retired spirits barrels from Heaven Hill, Woodford Reserve and others, yet manages to offer mind-­boggling balance and restraint. You will wig out when you taste Velvet Merkin’s rich milk chocolate, bourbon and espresso flavors, preceded by aromas of vanilla, coconut, toasted oak and mocha.

For your enjoyment we’ve got a 5-year vertical of this bad-boy!
2014 – 2018 Velvet Merkin
Champs de Fraises Wild Ale
2020 Luponic IPA

WEDNESDAY
February 12, 2020
5:00 PM – Until Close
The Sycamore
2140 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Neighborhood Chili Cook-Off with 7Stills

7Stills Brewery and Emporium SF throw a neighborhood party not to be missed with this TASTE TEST PARTY of famous and maybe infamous chili chefs!

From IPAs to Saisons and everything in between, 7 Stills has something you’ll love. Come hungry and taste-test chili made by the best – judges decide the winners and losers. Come give a toast with us at this unique event!

SATURDAY
February 8, 2020
5:00 PM – 4 Hours
Emporium SF
616 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117

FREE


Check out ALL the SF Beer Week events at sfbeerweek.com, the website (designed by Tom Roli) is super user friendly.

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Alex Mak - Managing Editor

Alex Mak - Managing Editor

I'm the managing editor and co-owner of this little experiment. I enjoy covering & Publishing Bay Area News as well as writing about Arts, Culture & Nightlife.

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