SF Beer Week 2020: K&L’s Short List of Must-See Attractions
Life is full of choices. We’ve all made good ones, and we’ve all made bad ones. Personally, I’m batting-a-thousand in the choice department when beer is involved and, considering that a staggering number of SF Beer Week events kick off in just a few days, you need someone to help parse down your options. Okay, my average is probably closer to .400 but that’s still hall-of-fame worthy, so take that. It’s also unofficially Beer Week at K&L all year around, so make sure you’re signed-up for our emails to receive priority access to events and special releases.
SFBW is an undeniably spectacular experience for anyone that has ever enjoyed a beer. Seriously. Over the next few weeks there will be an outright deluge of ale-infused goldmines popping up all over the bay, and you need to be prepared for it. So, without further ado, here is our short-list of must-see SFBW attractions:
PSA: I took some liberties to break this down by region. I get that Sonoma is not in San Francisco. And yes, I lumped Santa Cruz into Silicon Valley—Amazon will be there soon enough, not sorry.
San Francisco:
Big Chicken Release @ HenHouse Brewing Co. (February 8)
(SONOMA) As K&L well knows, there’s no better place to acquire rare and tightly allocated offerings than directly from the source. Yes, there will be lines. Probably long ones. But those who are timely and patient will be rewarded with one of the freshest, most coveted brews out there today.
Cali Cruisin’: Southern California @ Liquid Gold (February 9)
(SAN FRANCISCO) Taste a line-up of SoCal’s finest at Liquid Gold, just don’t bring your Dodgers hat. Over the past five years, this place has gone from sleeper tap room to one of the bay’s hottest beer bars. It’s also unapologetically San Franciscan, which is a little ironic given the theme-du-jour. After you’ve tasted through LA, roll over to Hopwater Distribution on Bush Street for another world-class experience and tap-list with heavy local representation. (P.S. if you didn’t go to HenHouse yesterday, shame on you. But rumor is out that Hopwater will tap a keg of liquid cashmere aka Big Chicken today... Shhhh!).
Annual Moonraker Brewing Tap Takeover @ The Crafty Fox Ale House (February 13)
(SAN FRANCISCO) Moonraker is one of a handful of new-ish breweries that simply can’t do anything wrong. Having amassed numerous awards including Best New California Brewery and landing in the top ten for the Best New Brewery in the World, they’re clearly a force in the California beer scene and have the accolades to prove it.
East Bay:
Grain to Glass: A Farmer, Maltster and Brewers Walk into a Bar @ The Rake at Admiral Maltings (February 8)
(ALAMEDA) Okay, this may require a particular brand of beer nerd, but nonetheless it will be an edifying breakdown of beer’s most important, yet underappreciated, ingredient. Take a special tour of the malthouse, imbibe a few pours, then head next-door to Almanac’s Barrel Room, and discuss your newfound appreciation of the traditional artform of malting.
An Evening with Merchant du Vin Specialty Beer Importers @ The Trappist (February 12)
(OAKLAND) There’s no better place to taste the likes of Trappists Orval, Rochefort, and Westmalle than Oakland’s most beloved tap room. As the name suggests, the Trappist features a vast array of Belgian beers and other rare pours—I’ve randomly showed up at their sister location to find Cantillon on draught, I simply can’t imagine what’s in store for this one.
Silicon Valley:
Bay Area Regionals: Santa Cruz @ TAP’T Beer & Kitchen (February 11)
(SUNNYVALE) Santa Cruz is arguably the epicenter of California’s beer scene. I’d comfortably put Sante Adarius, Humble Sea, and Alvarado Street (yes, I’ve taken yet another geographic liberty) up against just about any other brewery out there. Head to TAP’T Beer & Kitchen to experience the holy trinity of coastal deliciousness, then walk around the corner to Fibbar MacGees where they feature one of the most comprehensive beer lists you’ve ever seen.
5th Annual Firkin Friends Fest @ Freewheel Brewing (February 13)
(REDWOOD CITY) Very few breweries have successfully defied the hops-driven beer culture that’s so entrenched in California. But if there’s one that has proved that you don’t need to stuff 17lbs of Galaxy into each can, Freewheel Brewing Company is it. They keep a rotating selection of traditional, English-styled ales on offer and have amassed a cult-following at K&L for good reason. The 5th Annual Firkin Friends Fest is where any cask-ale enthusiast needs to be. They’ll be pouring ales from local favorites such as Pine Street, Alpha Acid, and East Cliff, just to name a few.
2nd Annual Clear vs. Hazy IPA Battle @ State of Mind Public House & Pizzeria (February 15)
(LOS ALTOS) Feel like getting riled up? Blind taste a trio each of Hazy and West Coast IPAs, argue the merits of why hazies are qualitatively superior with a stranger, then make-up over a slice. State of Mind hasn’t released what breweries they’ll be showcasing yet, but I’ll spill some of the beans—Original Pattern is one of them, and that in itself is enough reason to show up. Here’s another hot take: State of Mind slings the best pies in the bay, and it’s not even close.
Pucker Up Sunday @ Lupulo Craft Beer House (February 16)
(SANTA CRUZ) Sour-heads, stick a handful of your favorite antacids in your pocket and enjoy the ride, because Lupulo has an all-star cast of sour ales in store for you. Oh, my teeth hurt just writing this. At the same time this event is worth the enamel, and then some.
And there it is, folks. The Bay Area’s perennial celebration of everything brewed and bottled under a crown cap is nearly upon us, and you’re supremely prepared for it. It’s time to rejoice.
- Gary Norton