A week to celebrate local brews
It’s back! Amidst the backdrop of a rainy February, local breweries have been diligently preparing for a celebration of their craft. Several local breweries will be participating in SF Beer Week, an annual 10-day series of special events organized by the Bay Area Brewers Guild. Other Alameda breweries not associated with the Guild will also be hosting exciting events of their own this week. Reserve your tickets, grab a designated driver, and get ready to raise your glass!
SF Beer Week Events
Admiral Maltings, 651A West Tower Avenue
Farmer, Maltster, Brewer
Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m.
Long before you cracked open that cold one, your favorite brew started with a seed. Meet Admiral Maltings’ longtime barley and wheat farmers, along with brewers from Pond Farm Brewing Co. and Discretion Brewing, for tastings, tours, and conversation to learn about the process. Tickets are $28.52 and include a tasting flight of four beers. Tours begin at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Beer & Sushi Pairing with Sugoi Brewing and Breakthrough Sushi
Monday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Yes, you read that correctly! Take your tastebuds on an adventure with Kaz Matsune, the Founder of Breakthrough Sushi, a San Francisco-based catering and culinary company specializing in sushi. Guests will experience six mouthwatering pairings. Tickets are $76.49.
SF’s Drunken Beer History
Tuesday, February 24 at 6 p.m.
Not all SF Beer Week events have a cover charge. The Rake at Admiral Maltings is throwing a free event focusing on the theme of Beer week, the 21st Century Story of IPA. Bay Area Brewers Guild Executive Director Sayre Piotrkowski will lead a panel discussion on the history of IPAs in the Bay Area. More information is available online. Entry is free, and no RSVP is required.
Malt Cup Watch Party
Thursday, February 26 at 3 p.m.
Come enjoy a friendly atmosphere while watching the “Oscars of the malt world,” the Malt Cup. This year’s contestants include 117 entries from five different countries, and the results will be shared during a live virtual event. Admiral Maltings is celebrating with a Happy Hour Super Special from 3 until 6 p.m., including specials on pitchers, cocktails, beer and pizza combos, and tacos. Entry to the event is free and no RSVP is required.
Cask & Queso
Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m.
Beer and cheese? Say no more! Come enjoy 12 English-style cask ales paired with a selection of delicious cheeses from Farmstead Cheese & Wine. As a special treat, some German-style Stichfass kegs will also be poured. Your $76.49 ticket includes unlimited tasting from featured casks, plus a cheese plate of five cheeses. Additional beverages, cheeses, and other menu items will be available for purchase.
Meet the Brewer – Pure Project
Saturday, February 28 at 3 p.m.
Meet Winslow Sawyer, the owner and brewmaster of San Diego’s Pure Project Brewing. Guests are invited to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, chat with Sawyer, learn about Pure Project’s process, and taste some of their best brews. Entry to the event is free and no RSVP is required.
Alameda Brewing, 1716 Park Street
Alameda Shorts Fest
Sunday February 22 at 6 p.m.
“We believe short films deserve to be experienced together, in a lively, welcoming environment that encourages conversation, discovery, and connection,” writes Alameda Brewing. The taproom will be showing a curated program with two screening blocks of selected original short films. Grab a beer, pull up a chair, and enjoy the show without the fuss of a theater. Entry is free, and no RSVP is required.
BeerWeek Rumble
Friday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
Your Friday night just got way more exciting. Alameda Brewing is hosting Action Coast Wrestling for an unforgettable evening. The night begins with a live fire show, followed by a lineup of high-energy pro wrestling matches. Enjoy a cold beer, grab a taco, and pick a side! Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children.
Bonus Alameda Brewing Events
While they aren’t part of the official SF Beer Week lineup, you’re still sure to have fun at Alameda Brewing’s other regular events this week:
- Next Stop Comedy Show on Friday, February 20 | Check out Next Stop Comedy for lively standup shows and a new lineup every time. Tickets are $26.99. The show starts at 7 p.m.
- Head Games Trivia Night on Tuesday, February 24 | Enjoy a twist on typical trivia, including movie clips, sound effects, photos, and music. Trivia begins at 7 p.m.
Humble Sea Brewing Co., 2350 Saratoga Street, #164
Short & Sweet & Sour Tour
Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m.
If you need to keep your schedule flexible, Humble Sea has you covered with this fresh, fun tasting release starting at 11 a.m. The crew is pouring four guest stouts and four guest sours to keep drinkers of all palates happy. You don’t need a reservation, and there’s no cover charge.
Her Story
Saturday, February 28 at Noon
Join Humble Sea for a celebration of women in brewing with Her Story. The taproom will be serving beer, cider, kombucha, and wine from producers that are owned or operated by women. While you’re sipping, shop at a small market of women-owned makers. You don’t need a reservation, and there’s no cover charge.
Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster Street
Pinball and Pints
Sunday February 22, 2 to 6 p.m.
After a sold-out party last year, the Pacific Pinball Museum is bringing back Pinball and Pints for its 11th year of fun. Play as much pinball as you’d like on more than 100 machines while sampling brews from around the Bay Area. Players can participate in fun and casual tournaments to win prizes. Tickets are $60.54, and proceeds from the event will support the museum.
Park Station, 1200 Park Street
Unless otherwise stated, Park Station’s events require no cover charge and are available all day long while supplies last. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon until 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 9 p.m.
Bay Area Brews
Saturday, February 21
Stop by all day long at Park Station’s beautiful space for special releases and collaborations from the Bay Area, including:
- Almanac
- Brix
- Cellarmaker
- Fieldwork
- Ghost Town
- Oakland United
- Original Pattern
- Sincere Cider
Capital City Sunday
Sunday, February 22
Widen your scope with all-day tastings from the Sacramento region, including:
- Destination Hops Cold IPA by Urban Roots
- Quelling Volition Czech Pilsner by Geisthaus
- Ain’t Getting Any Younger West Coast Triple IPA by Claimstake
- Zulu Haze Hazy IPA by Moonraker
- Super Secret Sauce West Coast DIPA by Shred
Triple IPA Tuesday
Tuesday, February 24
Enjoy a flight of 3 triple IPAs for $15:
- Hop Ramen West Coast Triple IPA by Shred
- Triple Cone West Coast Triple IPA by Alvarado Street
- Menace to Sobriety West Coast Triple IPA by Morgan Territory
Throwback Thursday
Thursday, February 26
If you’re tired of an endless stream of IPAs, this event might be for you. With a collection of lagers, ales, and stout, Park Station promises, “This event will make you feel like you walked into a taproom 20 years ago.” See the full list of brews online.
Oregon Beer Trail Comes to Alameda
Friday, February 27
Oregon has a fantastic brewing scene, but they don’t often make it to the Bay Area. Park Station has rounded up some of their favorites for this special occasion:
- Straight to the Point West Coast IPA by Von Ebert
- Tall Guy West Coast IPA by Breakside
- Pils Pilsner by Heater Allen
- Archie West Coast IPA by Living Haus
- Hell Helles Lager by Wayfinder
Beer Dinner
Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m.
Southie’s second restaurant is located permanently at Park Station, and they’re getting in on the action for SF Beer Week. Participants will enjoy a four-course meal with local craft beer pairings. Tickets are very limited, so grab yours soon! Tickets can be reserved online for $81.88 or in person at Park Station for $75.
San Diego Saturday,
Saturday, February 28
You’ve probably got the naming convention figured out by this point. Join Park Station for iconic San Diego brews:
- Magical & Delicious Pale Ale by Fall
- The Visitor West Coast IPA by Societe
- Amigo Mexican Lager by Pizza Port
- Cosmic Dancer West Coast IPA by Pure Project
- Rock Hopper Hazy IPA by Pure Project
- Beav Light Light Lager by Belching Beaver
Love Our Island
Sunday, March 1
Raise a toast to all things local with a celebration of Alameda Beer. Park Station will be serving up Almanac, Faction, and Alameda Brewing beers with a smile.
Other Beer Events
Almanac Adventureland, 651 West Tower Avenue
Unless otherwise specified, Almanac’s Week of Wonder events are free to attend and require no reservations.
Farm to Table Day: Petting Zoo in the Beer Garden
Saturday, February 21 at Noon
Almanac Beer Co. presents their very own “Week of Wonders” to celebrate all things beer. To kick things off, Almanac invites the whole family to a relaxed, all-ages petting zoo. Enjoy the outdoors event in the shade of the beer garden from noon until 4 p.m.
Play & Pour: Arcade Party
Sunday, February 22 at 11 a.m.
Come enjoy 20% off arcade games all day long from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Almanac. “Dive into classic and modern arcade games, chase bragging rights, and unlock drink specials!” says the event description.
Pliny the Younger Tapping
Monday, February 23 at 5 p.m.
You’re going to want to be on time for this one. Almanac is tapping a limited amount of Russian River’s limited release triple IPA, Pliny the Younger. The much-anticipated yearly release is a big deal, and Almanac managed to snag some. “Get it before it’s gone—and it WILL be gone,” advises Almanac.
Trivia Night
Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m.
While it’s not officially part of Week of Wonders, we still think that Almanac’s trivia night deserves a shoutout. Marley G’s pizza and Scolari’s Good Eats food trucks will be on the scene to fuel your fun. Weekly trivia takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Triple Beer Release
Wednesday, February 25 at noon
Stop by the taproom anytime during their regular hours, noon until 9 p.m., to check out this triple release. Start things off with Delahunt’s Overcast Double Hazy IPA, then try two collaborations between Almanac and Ghost Town Brewing, Exit Sandman West Coast IPA and Friday the 13th Lager. Enjoy a draft pour, then grab some cans to take home.
Vintage Sour Fire Sale
Thursday, February 26 at noon
Swing by during regular business hours, noon until 9 p.m., for fantastic deals on vintage sour bottles. At just $5 per bottle, these are sure to sell out!
Brawl in the Barrel Hall: Puppet Wars Wrestling
Saturday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Get ready to rumble! Puppet Wars is back, and they’re starting 2026 with a bang at Almanac’s Week of Wonders. Catch an action-packed, family-friendly live wrestling show with a cold drink in your hand. Tickets are $23.18 per person online and at $30 at the door.
Bounce Haus Bonanaza
Sunday, March 1
Almanac is closing out their Week of Wonders with a free bouncy house in the beer garden for all to enjoy. Stop by from noon until 6 p.m. for “non-stop jumping, laughing, and inflatable mayhem.”
Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch Street
While you’re celebrating a week of great beer, don’t forget to check out Faction Brewing’s regularly scheduled events.
Profs and Pints
Thursday, February 19 at 6 p.m.
Enjoy an educational evening with a college professor, without all the stress of admissions and tests. Felicia Angeja Viator, professor of history at San Francisco State, presents “Daredevil Democracy” to explore the relationship between fame and power through the lens of the first famous American daredevil. Tickets are $14.77.
Groove is in the Start
Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m.
“Specifically for women who want the joy of dancing but not the late-night scene, Groove Is in the Start is the early-evening dance event that brings all the fun, nostalgia and energy—without the late-night drag—because going out should feel amazing and end at a reasonable hour.” Notable: 10% of profits will be donated to the Midway Shelter. Tickets must be purchased online and are $31.60.
Beats for Balance
Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m.
“Come shop local, support youth, and help us bring balance, comfort, and smiles,” states the Beats for Balance event description. Listen to 10 DJs, shop at a vendor market, and donate to the Sensory Kit Drive benefitting UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Check out the Amazon wishlist for stress balls, playdough, and other items that will bring kids and teens some comfort. The event is scheduled from 1 until 6 p.m.
Ocean Hoptimism
Thursday, February 26 at 7 p.m.
Get ready for some good brews and good news at Ocean Hoptimism, an uplifting event that meets every fourth Thursday of the month at Faction Brewing. Casey Harper, Program Director at Wild Oyster Project, will lead the evening with a talk on her work to bring native oysters back to the San Francisco Bay. The event is free and open to all.
What if I don’t drink beer?
Don’t despair! A plethora of fun events, in Alameda and beyond, are posted on our online Events Calendar. Post yours, too, for free!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Amanda-Laird. Reach her at [email protected].
