Sacramento beer week 2017

 

by Matt Braun

Sat., Feb. 25th, 2017

We are entering Sacramento’s 8th Annual Beer Week with more breweries in the region (brewery directory) than there have ever been before. Not only are there lots of breweries opening up all over the region, but some of these breweries are arguably making some of the best and most sought after beers in the state. It often times feels like SBW year round with the availability of different, and usually delicious, regularly scheduled can releases from Track 7 and New Glory. Not to mention the now annual hosting of the California Craft Brewers Summit, the presence of a Fieldwork taproom, or even the hunt for some YOJO or other tastiness from Moonraker, and of course the everyday beer list at places like Pangaea, Capitol Bar and Tap Room, Final Gravity, and Old Town Pizza Roseville.

Sacramento Beer Week isn’t only an opportunity to showcase Sac beers, although that is the theme of the Brewer’s Showcase that kicks off SBW at the California Automobile Museum on March 2nd (click HERE for tickets), but it is also a chance for folks to try beers from across California and the country at various events held at breweries and pubs across the region. There are events throughout the 11 day SBW that showcase pretty much any beer style you could want to try, and tons of events that include food too, so you can soak up all that beer you’re drinking. The Beers In Sac mobile app (click HERE to download) has a calendar of SBW events and the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild also maintains a searchable SBW calendar that has most of the events like tap takeovers, new beer releases, beer dinners, and tastings. There are a few places that do not use the calendars, so if there is a spot that you really enjoy you should probably check out their website or give them a call if you want to ensure you get to the events you are most interested in.

There are way too many events happening during SBW to mention them all, but I will highlight a few that I am excited to check out. Have a great beer week and don’t drink and drive!

March 3

  • Cap Tap - Moonraker and Alvarado Street tap takeover - Moonraker, out of Auburn, and Alvarado Street, out of Monterey, both make excellent beer (MR’s triple IPA just won the Bistro Double IPA Competition during SF Beer Week) and are not easy to find, so a tap takeover of these two excellent breweries should be fun. (Friday, March 3, 2017 5:00 PM - 11:59 PM PST)

  • Bike Dog Brewery - Zero Sum Hazy Pale Ale can release - looking forward to seeing their take on the beer style that’s seemingly taking over the world right now. (Friday, March 3, 2017 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST)

March 4

  • Cap Tap - Barrel-Aged Weekend (4th and 5th) - Kenny is definitely going to break out the big guns for this one. (Saturday, March 4, 2017 - 11:00 AM PST to Sunday, March 5, 2017 - 9:00 PM PST)

  • Big Sexy Brewing - Beer Week Rocks Concert - I’ve been looking for an excuse to check out this new place and a show with some local, funky bands, Ideateam, ZuhG, and Big Sticky Mess. (Saturday, March 4, 2017 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST)

  • Mraz Brewing - All Sours Day - This El Dorado Hills brewery makes some of the best sours in the area and are sure to pour some tasty ones for this event. (Saturday, March 4, 2017 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM PST)

March 5

  • Track 7 Brewing - 2nd Annual Brewery Invitational - I wasn’t able to make it to this event last year and was jealous of my friends who told me how great it was, so make sure to buy your tickets early. Every brewery is great and there are sure to be some hard to find beers available. It’s close to selling out so get your tickets in advance. (Sunday, March 5, 2017 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST)

March 6

  • New Helvetia - Beer Talk with Dr. Charlie Bamforth - If you haven’t had an opportunity to hear “The Pope of Foam” speak you should check this out; The UC Davis professor is hilarious and knows more about beer than pretty much anyone else in the world. (Monday, March 6, 2017 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST)

March 7

  • Sactown Union Brewing - Mario Kart 64 Tournament - Sign up at the brewery, winners get to talk smack and receive a gift card. (Tuesday, March 7, 2017 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM PST)

March 9

  • Hot City Pizza - 1st Annual Weird Beer Wind-Up - Not even sure what to expect from this but all of the SBW events at Hot City are always top-notch. (Thursday, March 9, 2017 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM PST)

March 11

  • Monk’s Cellar - Placer County Firkin Fest - Lots of cask-conditioned beers from some great local breweries like Knee Deep, Tahoe Mountain, Moonraker, Black Vinyl, and Monk’s Cellar. (Saturday, March 11, 2017 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM PST)

March 12

  • Capitol Beer Fest - the Grand Finale of SBW with over 125 brewers and a couple thousand of your closests friends. It’s being held at the newly opened Railyards development north of downtown this year, and should be an interesting venue. Click HERE for tickets! (Sunday, March 12, 2017 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST)