Beer Week 2013: Fresh Air Fun and Games


Drinking beer is hard work, but it does involve consuming unwelcome calories. Fortunately, SF Beer Week will have some opportunities for getting outdoors and maybe even getting a little exercise to offset the beer calories you’re bound to accumulate.

Feb. 9

Picnic in the Park with Pac Brew Lab and Magnolia
Pac Brew Labs and Magnolia Brewery will host a tap takeover at SoMa StrEAT Food Park for a picnic in the park featuring 13 craft beers from two serving stations. Meet the brewers as you pair full pours of beer with 10 of San Francisco’s best food trucks and listen to live bluegrass (music TBD).
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
SoMa StrEAT Food Park
428 11th St.
San Francisco
Free admission

101 North’s First Disc Golf Extravaganza
Show off your disc golf skills at the first SF Beer Week Disc Golf Extravaganza, hosted by 101 North Brewing Company. Bragging rights and prizes await the winners of both team and individual categories, as well as plenty of swag for all. The SF Disc Golf Club will be on hand with discs for those who need them.
1-4 p.m.
Marx Meadow, Golden Gate Park
898 John F. Kennedy Drive
San Francisco

Alaskan Brewing Eco-Hike on Mount Sutro
An urban adventure with beer. Start at Kezar Bar and walk to the top of Mount Sutro and back, using the Sutro Stewards trail system and learn some local history along the way. The midway rest stop at the UCSF Community Center will feature a complimentary sampling of beers from Alaskan Brewing. Organic food and more Alaskan beer awaits at the Kezar Bar at the end of the 4-mile walk. $1 of every Alaskan beer consumed goes directly to the Sutro Stewards non-profit.

12-4 p.m.
Kezar Bar
900 Cole St.
San Francisco
$5 donation to Sutro Stewards suggested.

Beerwalk Japantown San Jose
Stroll the streets in San Jose’s Japantown business district while tasting more than 20 local and imported beers.
2-6 p.m.
Starts at 167 East Taylor St.
San Jose
$30 in advance, $35 on the day of the event.


Feb. 10

The 4th Annual SF Beer Week Beer Run
In collaboration with C.B. Hannegan’s and Strike Brewing, the 4th annual SF Beer Week Beer Run heads to the South Bay. The event benefits Autism Speaks and 2nd Harvest Food Bank.
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
C.B. Hannegan’s
208 Bachman Ave.
Los Gatos
No entry fee.

Feb. 16

Tour de Biere 2013: East Bay Brewery Bike Crawl
The Grand Cru presents its annual Beer Week bike crawl, starting at Drake’s Brewing. Entrance fee/donation gets you tastings, tours and discounts at participating breweries. All proceeds go to the East Bay Bike Coalition.
9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Drake’s Barrel House
1933 Davis
San Leandro
$25


Be sure to check the SF Beer Week site for the latest updates on events.

SF Beer Week: Bigger and Badder



San Francisco Beer Week has outgrown its moniker. Hardly confined to San Francisco, events are scheduled as far south as San Jose, as far north as Santa Rosa and as far east as Concord. Only the Pacific Ocean, a formidable obstacle, has inhibited western expansion. Nor is the annual celebration of beer restricted to a week. The gala opening event is on Feb. 8, and festivities stagger to a close on Feb. 17 with the traditional Celebrator brewspaper party in Oakland and the Barleywine Festival at Toronado. That’s not counting the unofficial harbingers of Beer Week, like the opening of Pliny the Younger hunting season on Feb. 1.
With close to 400 events to choose from, it’s not too early to make your plans. We’ll list some highlights here and follow up with more suggestions during the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, visit the SF Beer Week site for updates.

Not to be missed Beer Week events:

Friday, Feb. 8
Unlimited tastes from more than 65 California breweries, along with a commemorative glass.
$75.
6-10 p.m.
Concourse Exhibition Center
620 7th St.
San Francisco

Saturday, Feb. 9
13th Double IPA Festival
More than 60 double and triple IPAs on tap, live music, cicerone booth and BBQ
$50.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
1001 B St.
Hayward

Saturday, Feb. 9
Speakeasy’s Tap Room Grand Opening
Debuting at SF Beer Week, Speakeasy’s new taproom is modeled after a wood-paneled basement hideaway. Old Godfather Barley Wine on tap, along with 11 more Speakeasy beers, including limited releases. Food from Le Truc food truck.
2-9 p.m.
Pay as you go
1195 Evans Ave.
San Francisco

Saturday, Feb. 16
20th Annual Toronado Barleywine Festival
All day
Pay as you go.
547 Haight St.
San Francisco

Sunday, Feb. 17
Celebrator Beer News 25th Anniversary Party
More than 50 breweries pour their best beers to celebrate 25 years of Celebrator brewspaper.
$55
Oakland Convention Center Marriott Hotel
1001 Broadway
Oakland