Skip to main content

San Diego Beer Week kicks off tomorrow

Highlights from a major west coast beer gathering

A glass of beer on a beach
George Cox / Unsplash

One of the nation’s largest beer-centric gatherings starts tomorrow. San Diego Beer Week, the product of the San Diego Brewers Guild, is an impressive 10-day gathering in and around one of America’s great craft-loving cities. Attendees can pop into the many bars, breweries and restaurants taking part for special gatherings celebrating the local beer scene.

It’s a fitting event for a city long known for its beer. While the craft beer capital of America is a constant subject of debate, San Diego is no doubt a finalist, with more than 150 labels occupying its home turf. Next week begins the celebration of what all those producers have been turning out.

Gose beers
iStock

Events range from special tasting flights and new releases to larger festivals. Marquee offerings include a beer and cheese pairing event curated by esteemed brewery AleSmith November 4th and the Capital of Craft Beer Fest on November 9th. This event is the crescendo of beer week, featuring some 30 labels, tastings, food trucks, and live music. There are special collaboration brews and even opportunities for attendees to engage in neighborhood cleanups too.

Recommended Videos

Need another reason to attend? Well, the forecast calls for temperatures in the low 70s all week long. That, and you’d be a stone’s throw from the beach.

While we’re on topic, check out some of our recent features, ranging from topics like pairing beer and food and the best imperial stouts for a good wintertime sip, especially if you can’t make it to sunny San Diego. And here’s one for your brain on helpful beer terminology, so you can be in the know.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
From ancient brews to craft cans: the 9,000-year story of beer
The lengthy history of a well-known beverage
Beer on a wooden barrel

Beer has deep, deep roots. The stuff predates so many things, from actual religious figures and way-back eras like the Middle Kingdom of Egypt to fellow fermented beverages like wine. How beer is made has changed quite a bit over that long arc, but the amazing fact remains: it's one of the oldest beverages on earth.

Undoubtedly, the first versions of beer tasted very different than what we're accustomed to today. That's pretty much the case with most things we eat and drink (ancient Roman wine, anyone?). Regardless, humans were interested in fermenting grain several thousands of years ago and that's pretty cool to mull over.
When was beer invented?

Read more
New Belgium partners with iconic Chicago wormwood liqueur brand on special beer
The Colorado brewery is daring you to try this six-pack
Voodoo Ranger Malort IPA.

New Belgium Brewery is calling it a dare. The brand has teamed up with Jeppson's Malört on a six-pack of beer that includes both a popular IPA beer and one made with the legendary Chicago-born liqueur. The Roulette IPA pack is officially out and it includes four Voodoo Ranger IPAs and two cans of the unique Malört-style IPA.

It's a clever bit of marketing as all six cans look the same. Hence, the roulette name. Consumers won't know what they've cracked until they have a taste. The move is decidedly fun, playing off the adventurous aspect of the ranger character and combining a blind tasting with a challenge of sorts.

Read more
Esteemed Brooklyn brewery drops mouthwatering summer lineup
A variety of craft styles for summer sipping
Threes Brewing cans.

Threes Brewing in Brooklyn is ready for summer. The acclaimed New York City outfit has released a handful of beers, just in time for vacation season. Beer styles covered include lagers, pilsners, and even a non-alcoholic hop water.

The beers are available for nationwide shipping or can be picked up at one of the brand's NYC outposts. First up, Sidenote, a hard seltzer brewed with Mosaic hops and pineapple. It's a refreshing option built for hot days, coming in at just 5% ABV.

Read more