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San Francisco Beer Festivals
by Jill Loeffler •
Sample local and international brews at one of these top San Francisco beer festivals. Many of these events offer a few hours of tasting some of the best craft brews around.
Many also invite some of the Bay Area's top food trucks, so you can savor some tasty eats while you enjoy your beer.
If you're up for a short day trip, I've also listed some beer events that take place outside of San Francisco in the larger Bay Area.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. International Beer Festival
One of the biggest annual San Francisco Beer Festivals is the International Beer Festival in May. This event is usually held at the Fort Mason Center and features more than 150 beers.
Due to the size of this event, they offer brews from several local, national, and international breweries. You will typically find top local brewers such as 21st Amendment, Anchor Steam Brewery, and Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Co. The international brands include Sam Adams, Modelo, and Blue Moon.
They also offer samples from top local restaurants and food trucks including places like Rosamunde Sausage Grill, Peter's Kettle Corn, and The Elite Cafe.
This event is for a great cause as it's the sole fund raiser for the Telegraph Hill Cooperative Nursery School.
Location: Fort Mason Center
Date: May
Learn More: Visit the SF International Beer Festival Page to Learn More
2. Beer Week
One of the best beer events all year long is SF Beer Week. This 10-day event offers you the opportunity to check out local brews, talk to brew masters, and participate in dozens of other fun beer related events.
In addition to the events in SF, you will also find a number of SF Beer Week festivities in the North, South, and East Bay areas.
Location: Various locations all around San Francisco
Date: Early to Mid-February
Learn More: Visit the February Calendar for More Details
3. Brews on the Bay
Brews on the Bay is an event held on board the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien in Fisherman's Wharf. This WWII Liberty Ship is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon of craft beers. This event is five hours long and includes an unlimited number of 8-ounce pours. There are usually more than 60 brews on tap from a variety of local brewers including 21st Amendment, Magnolia Brewing Company, and Fort Point Beer Company.
The S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien stays docked during the event, so they can offer you gourmet goodies from some of the top food trucks in the area (not included in the price).
Location: S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien
Date: September or October
4. Craft Beer Festival
Head over to Martinez for the annual Craft Beer Festival. During this one-day event, you can sample beers from more than 75 breweries. If you really want to taste everything, and impress your friends, you can actually select from over 150 different beers.
Your admission ticket includes unlimited samples (2 oz. each), a tasting glass, and access to many informative seminars.
Location: Waterfront Park, Martinez
Date: April
Learn More: Visit the April Calendar for this Year's Date
Best SF Breweries: Want to check out some of our top breweries during your stay? Check out my list of the 14 best including Magnolia, 21st Amendment, and San Francisco Brewing Company.
5. Oktoberfest
You can't talk about San Francisco beer festivals without mentioning one of the BEST Oktoberfest events in the US! For three days, you get the chance to enjoy German beer, food and entertainment. Every year, they feature a headliner band that comes all the way from Germany and plays traditional Oktoberfest music.
Each ticket is for a specific session on a certain day of the event. They offer both afternoon and evening sessions. The event is held at Pier 48, which is south of Oracle Park.
Location: Pier 48
Date: Late September
6. Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival
Hosted by the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation, this festival in the Santa Cruz mountains has a truly local vibe. Enjoy tastings from local breweries and wineries while you support a good cause!
In addition, the area's best food trucks will be offering some delicious bites to go with your drinks. It's an afternoon full of outdoor fun, including live music, cornhole, wine pull, and more.
Location: Bonny Doon Equestrian Center, Santa Cruz
Date: September
7. Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival
Scotts Valley is a quaint town about an hour south of San Francisco heading over the mountains toward Santa Cruz. While this weekend-long festival promises a great selection of local brews and wines, it is not just for 21+.
This is a great opportunity for the whole family to have fun with the food trucks, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, and fun events like the "Dog Day Sunday" dog contest and the "Cops and Rodders" car show.
Location: Skypark in Scotts Valley
Date: August
8. Monterey Beer Festival
If you love discovering new brews, this may be the event for you, as the Monterey Beer Festival really focuses on bringing a great selection of well-known and little-known breweries to their tasting experience.
You'll find more than 80 different beers on tap, plus local food vendors and live music.
Location: Monterey County Fair and Event Center
Date: July
9. Blues, Brews and BBQ
This is a fun twist on your typical cookout with beer. A fundraiser for Goatlandia farm animal sanctuary, this homestyle BBQ buffet is vegan, and accompanied by an open bar.
Each guest will receive a pair of sunglasses to groove to the blues while raising money for a great cause.
This festival takes place in wine country, about two hours north of San Francisco.
Location: Yoffi Farm in Santa Rosa
Date: May 21
10. Oktoberfest San Ramon
San Ramon is a city in the valley on the other side of the East Bay Hills, about 45 minutes from San Francisco. Each year, the Historic Foundation hosts Oktoberfest in a down-home style that fits their mission of preserving the town's early farms and homesteads.
At this ranch gathering, you'll not only find great local beer, but Bavarian dancers, a brass band, and yummy treats like apple strudel.
Location: Forest Home Farms in San Ramon
Date: October
11. Oktoberfest Redwood City
Come September, a chunk of Redwood City's downtown plaza transforms for a week into a German party complete with cold beer, pretzels and brats, yodeling, and variations of the chicken dance. Entrance includes a commemorative stein and a drink ticket, plus plenty of live entertainment.
To reach this Bay Area beer festival, just drive or take the Caltrain about half an hour south of San Francisco, along the bay on the Peninsula.
Location: Courthouse Square in downtown Redwood City
Date: September
12. Oktoberfest Campbell
For one full weekend each October, the historic streets of downtown Campbell host a family-friendly Oktoberfest extravaganza that is free and open to the public. Stroll through more than 100 artisan booths and enjoy the live music from five different stages.
The beer garden is central to the action, of course, featuring Gordon Biersch beers and ales, but there will also be German (and other) food stands as well as wine tasting by local wineries. Don't miss the costume and stein-holding contests.
Location: Downtown Campbell
Date: September
Other Large Events You Might Enjoy
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