Summer is long over and fall has taken center stage, bringing with it salted caramel, pumpkin spice everything, the reviled or revered (depending on perspective) Ugg boots, and the approaching holiday spirit. This is a favorite time of year for many, but none love it more than San Diego beer enthusiasts.
Beer Festivals dominate San Diego’s fall and winter calendars with themed events showcasing an array of craft ales, IPA’s, and lagers. Kicking off the festivities is San Diego Beer Week, which hosts numerous events from November 3rd to the 12th. We’ve short-listed a few fall and winter must-do beer events so you don’t miss a thing.
San Diego Beer Week 2017
San Diego Beer Week is an annual event. This 10-day celebration is devoted to promoting San Diego’s thriving brew culture featuring local craft beers at numerous events throughout the city. With over 150 breweries, San Diego has gained international acclaim for brewing award-winning beers in recent years. In 2010’s World Beer Cup alone the city’s breweries won more medals than any of the traditional beer brewing countries combined, beating out Belgium, England, and Germany.
America’s Finest City remained at the top of the craft brew pyramid during 2015’s Great American Beer Festival with an astounding 19 medals won. With craft beer’s success on the rise in San Diego, the city is poised to become the United States capital of craft beer tourism. San Diego Beer Week features a whopping 250 beer events over ten days.
The week kicks off with the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival on November 4th and ends with eight beer events on the 12th, the most prominent of which is The Beer Garden. While you’ll want to search the San Diego Beer Week event calendar for your own personal favorites, we encourage you to add these three to your list.
Beer & Donut Pairing With Nomad Donuts
C’mon, who doesn’t love a scrumptious donut? And of course, we all love craft beer. But together? It makes complete sense to the geniuses at Nomad Donuts and Council Brewing Company to bring the two together in one truly incredible event. For the third anniversary of their Biere De Miel, Council Brewing head brewer, Liz Chism decided to pair their Tropical Vibes IPA, Separate Haze IPA, and champagne inspired Farmhouse Ale with three distinct donuts courtesy of Nomad Donuts head pastry chef Kristianna Zabala. What they’ve created is absolute perfection, three mini donuts paired with three four-ounce beer tasters. You know you want to try them.
Date: November 9th
Where: Convoy Court, San Diego
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: $17
SDBW Glow Beer & 9 – Battle for the Capital
A beer event like no other, the SDBW Glow Beer & 9 – Battle for the Capital is an exciting celebration that combines two other San Diego favorites – golf and beer. The event challenges teams of two to play nine holes of glow golf where the esteemed winners not only walk away with bragging rights, but also two special Championship Blazers. Those who would rather cheer on the matches than play will enjoy a collection of premier tastings including a Blind IPA tasting competition between the Ironfire Brewing Company, Modern Times Beer, and Thorn Brewing.
Date: November 10th
Where: By the Loma Club
Time: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $35
The Beer Garden
Closing San Diego Beer Week on November 12th is The Beer Garden on the Arroyo Terrace of The Lodge at Torrey Pines. The event, hosted by the San Diego Brewers’ Guild, brings together San Diego breweries and local chefs in a grand finale of San Diego Beer Week, and a hat tip to the local craft beer movement. There will be 14 locally renowned chefs and 28 local breweries at this event providing a truly one-of-a-kind beer and food pairing affair. A few of the participants include Urban Solace with Monkey Paw Brewing Company, Carnitas’ Snack Shack with Eppig Brewing, and Trust with Coronado Brewing Company. Each ticket includes unlimited tasters of food and beer.
Date: November 12th
Where: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Price: $85
But Wait! The Beer Fun Isn’t Over Yet!
The Beer Garden may close out San Diego Beer Week, but it’s just the kickoff to fall and winter brew events. December manages to squeeze in a couple more popular beer events before the New Year. Two notable December craft beer events you’ll want to mark on your calendar and grab your tickets for are Island Food and Beer Festival on December 2nd at Waterfront Park and Ales and Rails Ugly Sweater Beer Tasting extravaganza on December 15th at San Diego Model Railroad Museum.
Island Food and Beer Festival pairs San Diego’s best Pacific Island cuisine with unlimited locally brewed beer tastings, in a fun afternoon that includes entertainment, games, and raffles. Ales and Rails Ugly Sweater Beer Tasting celebrates National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day December 15th, and doubles as a fundraiser for the museum. Guests flaunt their ugly Christmas sweaters while enjoying unlimited tastings from local craft breweries.