One of the first cities ever to host a “beer week,” and called home by many of the pivotal breweries in the craft beer scene, including Anchor Brewing Company and 21st Amendment Brewing, San Francisco has long been known for its thriving craft beer culture. Organized by the Bay Area Brewers Guild, this fest kicks off with an opening gala at seaside Pier 35, followed by a week of curated events held over multiple days and venues. All will celebrate craft beer, the west coast craft community and the Bay Area’s creative spirit.
An upward of 100 craft breweries will participate in SFBW. And there will be every iteration of craft beer imaginable – be it lager, ale or double IPA, hoppy, malty, sour or barrel-aged. Beer lovers can also expect tap takeovers and collaboration beers. Since this is California, expect plenty of IPAs, from Heretic’s Evil3 Triple IPA to Humble Sea’s Waves Are Tight. Look for the world-famous Pliny the Younger, too, on tap at select SFBW events, as Russian River celebrates its 20th year of brewing this beer. Pair all of this with the food trucks and the salty scent of the Bay, and there isn’t another beer event that has quite the same touch.
In addition to collabs and tastings, restaurants and specialty bars will host hundreds of events where connoisseurs can learn more about beer and brewing. From sit-down lectures to special releases like barrel-aged beers and sour beers, they’ve got it all covered.
Some of the participating local breweries and brewing cos include: 21st Amendment Brewery, Barebottle, Drake’s, Fort Point, Henhouse Brewing, The Bistro (in Hayward), and Trumer Brewery. The festival is for those 21 and older.
The Specs
- About 2000-2500 people attend.
- All events are ticketed separately. Many are completely free or Pay As You Go, meaning you pay for food and drink as you would normally. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala cost $90-300. There’s also a Twilight Cruise, which is $65 (food and drink are included).
FAQs
What is the closest airport to San Francisco Beer Week?
San Francisco International Airport is located around 15 miles from the festival. Take the BART (rapid transport) or a rideshare to get into the city.
When is the SF Beer Week kickoff?
SF Beer Week events kick off on February 9 and February 10. Each of the Bay Area Brewers Guild’s five chapters will host a kickoff party. (Last year’s SF kickoff was held at Barebottle in Salesforce Park.) The chapters are San Francisco, North Bay, East Bay, Silicon Valley, and the Coast. Pandemic-era concerns about crowds prompted this regional approach to kickoffs, according to Mercury News.
Where will the SF Beer Week Opening Gala be held?
The SFBW Opening Gala will be held at Pier 35, from 6-10pm.
What’s the refund policy for ticketed events?
Events are rain or shine. All sales are final, but tickets are transferable.
Who produces SF Beer Week?
The event is produced by Bay Area Brewers Guild, representing local independent craft breweries and taprooms across the greater Bay Area. This includes San Francisco, East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro), North Bay, Silicon Valley, down the coast and more.
