SF Beer Week

Has anybody been to the Opening Gala? Is it worth going to? What kind of beers are generally poured there?

 

The Opening Gala is one of the best beer events, period. It is well-organized and well-executed. The event is a showcase for not only the SF Brewers Guild members, but also for all of the amazing breweries in Northern California.

The breweries always step it up for this event, and they bring beers that you will generally never see at a typical beer festival. There will definitely be a lot of new and great beers this year, seeing as how the beer scene in the Bay Area is practically exploding.

I would highly recommend this one. Cheers.

Mike

 

Haven't been to the Opening Gala but went to both the DIPA Fest @ The Bistro and Sour Sunday @ Triple Rock/Jupiter last year, both of which were amazing events (Sour Sunday was a bit too crowded/cramped for my taste but amazing beer) and I'll be back to both again this year, hopefully squeezing in a stop at Rare Barrel at some point as well.

 

I second checking out Triple Voodoo's new taproom and Brewery opening up in the Dogpatch and Cellarmaker's if you want to check out the new kids' creations

 

Yes, like two hours of detour! Seems best to do Santa Rosa first, then Knee Deep, then SF, but the whole traffic thing could really jack up your plans. Either way, a huge detour, but Simtra on tap in their tap room...it's like...heaven on earth...

Either way, you're going to have a great trip, sure sounds like it!

 

Any idea what the tap list will be like the Toronado's Barleywine Fest? We are going to be in town and i wanted to stop in for it!

 

No one will know til it's a day away or something (if even then) - Toronado's not real big on keeping people informed about these things.

 

If by "not real big" you mean "has zero interest," then yeah your right.

 

I have been going for over 6 years and the lineup seems to be somewhat similar year to year with a lot beers returning and always few surprises. Here is last years list:

http://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/toronado-barleywine-festival-2013/

Here is a partial list of the 2012 lineup;

http://andrewdrinks.blogspot.com/2012/02/sf-beer-week-toronado-barley-wine.html

 

Went two years ago. if you think Sour Sunday was crowded/cramped then AVOID. Too many other great less expensive better organized events then to waste your time at the Opening Gala.

 

For $80 is the Gala really worth it? Thinking of heading to the Double IPA fest or Beer Talks with my cash instead.

 

Thanks for the advice! Does you (or anybody else) have any advice for breweries to keep my eyes on at the event?Barreled and wilds are my preferences (sorry about being a stereotype).

 

Oh come on, it's really not that crowded. Not any more than really any other worthwhile event in the bay area. The longest line is always for Younger, right at the beginning of the event. I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for any other beer (I haven't tried to get any pours off the big bottles of RR sours though...)

Plus, they fixed the bathroom situation last year, so that's nice.

 

Beer doesn't run out that quickly, so you'll have a solid 30 minutes at least to walk around and figure out what you want. Obviously RR, Bear Republic, Almanac, Drake's, Sierra Nevada, etc. are ones you should check out, but I've had some fantastic beers from many different breweries.

 

Thanks so much for these lists! I am excited to stop in for some great brews and a really cool atmosphere.

 

RE: the Opening Gala, anyone have an extra VIP ticket they're willing to sell/trade?