Silicon Valley Beer Week returns July 24 through August 1 for its third year with more than 150 options to enjoy craft beer favorites and specialties. The week is full of tap takeovers, new release parties, beer pairings, beer fests and other events featuring regional and local favorites from the beer scene. Here is a sampling of the events to look for throughout the week.
Visit the official Silicon Valley Beer Week website for complete listings.
[Last Update: July 17, 2015]
The second annual Los Gatos BrewFest showcases 29 beers from 14 breweries, including many rare-release beers. Like last year, Jack Rose owners have made sure to make this event one of the best values with live music in the beer garden and food to order from their Outdoor Jack Rose menu. A $10 admission fee includes two drink tickets (4-oz. pours) and a wristband. Additional drink tickets are for sale in groups of four for $10.
It's clear that Stanley's Sports Bar, located inside Sharks Ice, respects good beer, with a quality lineup and monthly beer dinners. The Silicon Valley Beer Week Brew Tour will take visitors on a chauffeured tour of San Jose breweries capped by a special beer dinner. Breweries include Hermitage, Strike and the recently opened Santa Clara Valley Brewing taproom. Stanley's is also hosting a special beer release party on July 26, featuring a collaboration session saison by Santa Clara Valley Brewing and Drake's.
Harry's Hofbrau helped kickstart the South Bay craft beer surge under the charge of Kevin Olcese, and it continues to be a vital part of the local beer landscape. The name of this event says it all, but look for bottle pours, as well, from Cascade, Drie Fonteinen and more.
Original Gravity GM Rob Monroe stays busy coordinating stellar beer events, especially during Silicon Valley Beer Week, and this one's no exception. He will pull kegs from OG's cellar that have been aging since 2013, including Avery The Beast (Belgian Strong Ale), North Coast Old Stock Ale and Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot (Barleywine).
Arguably the progenitor of the South Bay craft beer scene, Ryan Summers seeks to share the best offerings from his favorite breweries at Good Karma. Each day during beer week, Good Karma will showcase a different brewery with a special offering from Lagunitas. Mon.: Sante Adairius Rustic Ales. Tues.: Cellarmaker Brewing. Wed.: Libertine Pub. Thurs.: Dunbar Brewing. Fri.: Berryessa Brewing Co.
Stuft Pizza Milpitas provides a great, inexpensive opportunity to try a variety of beer styles at Super Hoppy Hour. 5-oz. pours will be $1 or get a pint for $3 from any one of their 32 draft beers.
Henry's jumps into the craft beer fold with an event each day during beer week. There are sure to be some rare Lagunitas treats and great vibes with the affable, and one-name San Jose wonder, Rudy of Lagunitas in the house. Among their other events, Henry's hosts a three-course BBQ pairing on July 29 featuring Firestone Walker.
Steins knows how to host a beer event. Add The Bruery's innovative offerings to the mix, and it should be a night to remember. Experience tastes of Jardinier, Loakal Red, Hottenroth Peaches, L’deracola, Beret, Filmishmish, Melange #3, White Chocolate, Cuivre, Sour in the Rye and more.
Beerwalk events are highlights throughout the year for many, providing opportunities to enjoy a wide range of beer styles while shopping and exploring local communities. Returning to Santana Row for beer week, local South Bay breweries include Faultline, Firehouse, Gordon Biersch, Hermitage, Santa Clara Valley, Camino and Strike.
It's the fourth edition of the California Craft Throwdown, a blind taste test of Double IPAs. Twelve breweries will vie for the title and seek to dethrone the current reigning champ Saint Archer. Look for the Firestone Walker Market-Wide Takeover on July 26 featuring special offerings from this venerable Paso Robles brewery.
In partnership with Strike Brewing Company, the Beer Can Open is a beer-and-golf pairing event featuring six breweries and a round of golf on Santa Teresa Golf Club’s 9 hole, par 3 course. Starting with a hosted patio BBQ, players can exchange drink tickets for a variety of canned beers stationed throughout the golf course.
The second-floor patio at Mission Creek Brewing Company, located at the Whole Foods on The Alameda, is a nice retreat on a warm summer evening. This Green Flash and Alpine tap takeover event will feature three exclusive beers: Anniversary Sour Pale Ale, Flanders Sour and Silva Stout.
Already a craft beer destination with over 50 beers on tap, for this event, O’Flaherty’s, Stone Brewing and Bray Butcher Block & Bistro have teamed up for a four-course beer lunch hosted by certified cicerone “Dr.” Bill Sysak from Stone and Chef Josh from Bray Butcher Block & Bistro. Earlier during beer week, look for O'Flaherty's Big Woodie event featuring 50 barrel-aged beers, including the generally very well-regarded Goose Island Bourbon County Stout and Avery Tweak (Imperial Stout).
