For the second year, SF Beer Week is set to entertain, feed and present craft beer to thousands of beer lovers from across the country and around the world.
Beginning on Friday, February 5, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, SF Beer Week’s title sponsor, the SF Brewers Guild, will kick things off with an opening gala featuring 50 of the rarest, most creative beers from Northern California breweries. This event will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about what makes the Bay Area one of the most amazing places for craft beer in America and why it’s “America’s Original Craft Beer-Drinking City.” Brewers and beer people from throughout the Bay Area will be on hand to discuss what makes craft beer the talk of the town and answer any questions attendees may have about SF Beer Week and the specific events being hosted throughout the week.
SF Beer Week is a 10-day celebration of beer in the Bay Area. It was originally conceived in 2008, and was organized by Jay R. Brooks, Tom Dalldorf, Dave Keene, Dave McLean, Shaun O’Sullivan and Bruce Paton. SF Beer Week is, however, being put on by the Bay Area’s vibrant beer and food community and countless volunteer members of the brewing industry. It was created as a way to spotlight the local craft beer community with myriad events that showcase the fine quality, rich diversity and amazing potential that craft beer has to enhance the quality of life here in the Bay Area.
This year, the San Francisco Brewers Guild is the presenting sponsor and official sponsors include 21st Amendment Brewery, Gordon Biersch, Magnolia Pub and Brewery, Speakeasy Ales and Lagers, and Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. Industry sponsors include the Brookston Beer Bulletin, Delarosa, Morris Distributing and Starbelly.
For more information about SF Beer Week, visit the www.sfbeerweek.org.
California Beer Industry Facts
• The total economic impact from the beer industry on California’s economy is $25.3 billion.
• There are currently over 200 working breweries, brewpubs & beer companies in California, more than in any other state.
• San Francisco city has eight working breweries.
• The Bay Area includes another 60 breweries.
• California breweries employ nearly 5,400 people
• The California beer industry directly employs over 108,000 people
• The California beer industry indirectly employs another 103,000 people
• California is the third largest producer of all beer in the U.S.
• California however is the largest producer of craft beer.
• California contributes $4.8 billion in business and personal taxes.
• California contributes an additional $1.3 billion in consumption taxes.
• At the last three World Beer Cup events, California breweries won more medals than any other country except Germany.
• At the last several Great American Beer Festivals, California has won more medals than any other state.
• At the last several Great American Beer Festivals, the California Bay Area alone has won more medals than most other states.
