There are so many events happening for San Diego Beer Week I decided to make two posts on them, separating out the Beer and Food based events from those focused solely (or mostly) on the beer. See the other list of my SDBW event picks here.
Friday, Nov 4th:
Beer for Breakfast is always popular and there are a couple happening to kick off the first day of San Diego Beer Week. Up at Stone they’re doing their Rare Beer Breakfast, while down at Karl Strauss they’re doing a BYOB Brunch (Brew Your Own Beer). Participants will get brunch and beer as well as the chance to participate in a brew session with brewmaster Paul Segura. They’ll pick what type of beer they want to make and then get to come back a week later to taste it.
Don’t worry, it won’t be all beer for breakfast during SDBW, even those of you with day jobs can hit up some great pairing dinners. The Local Habit is hosting a few beer dinners throughout SDBW and kicking it off with a Stone Brewing Co. pairing dinner. Stone lead brewer Jeremy Moynier will be there to talk about the beer’s paired with Chef Nick Brune’s food.
Saturday, Nov 5th:
Shameless plug: me and the guys from LoveLikeBeer teamed up with Sea Rocket Bistro to put on Assembly a vegan beer dinner with Jolly Pumpkin. Ron Jeffries, brewer at Jolly Pumpkin is vegan so we thought they’d be the best brewery to work with. They’re shipping out some kegs that don’t make it out to San Diego too often to pair with Chef Chad White’s food. Tickets are nearly sold out so don’t delay if you plan on coming.
Sunday, Nov 6th:
There are quite a few beer and food options on Sunday. The Green Flash Smokeout at The Linkery starts at noon. Up at Stone they’re doing a six course beer and chocolate pairing. URGE Gastropub in Rancho Bernardo is hosting AleSmith and Peter Zien’s other project, CheeseSmith for a pairing event. I got a chance to try a few of Zien’s cheeses at the National Homebrewer’s Conference in June and they’re good.
If dinner is what you’re looking for don’t miss An Evening with (Ballast Point’s) Colby Chandler at O’Brien’s Pub. Colby will lead a tasting through his favorite San Diego Beer’s (both from Ballast Point and other breweries) and O’Brien’s Tyson Blake will be pairing food.
Monday, Nov 7th:
URGE Gastropub put on a Sierra Nevada beer dinner at few months back and it was such a hit they’re doing it again. They’ll have four course prix fixe menu to pair with some of Sierra Nevada’s beers. Check with URGE for the full menu.
Tuesday, Nov 8th:
Moonlight Brewing’s beers don’t often make it down to San Diego, but El Take it Easy has five of them. They’ll be serving half pours of beer paired with food for $9.
Behind the Brewery with MIHO Gastrotruck at Ballast Point’s Homebrew Mart are always fun dinner events. Laid back and casual MIHO brings some great food and Ballast Point pulls out all the stops to serve up some great beer.
Both Stephen Beaumont and “Dr” Bill Sysak are well known in the beer community for their ability to masterfully pair beer with food. So what better way to decide who the best is by letting them both pair a beer each course at a Master Pairings Dinner and then letting the diners decide who did better.
Wednesday, Nov 9th:
I’m a vegetarian, so I guess you could say I don’t quite “get” Phil’s BBQ, but my meat eating friends go crazy about the place. They’ll be bringing in a ton of Ballast Point’s specialty beers and spirits to their Point Loma restaurant. I’m not sure if it’s a set menu or not, but if you’re a fan of BBQ and beer this sounds like a good time.
Thursday, Nov 10th:
I went up to the new Sublime Alehouse in San Marcos for the first time and the food was good and beer was pleantiful, so I’m glad to see they’re embracing SDBW with a number of events, including this Hops and Nosh dinner with Green Flash.
Friday, Nov 11th:
Not looking to spend a ton of money on your SDBW dinner? KnB Wine Cellars has you covered with A Beer and [Grilled] Cheese pairing. They’ll have beer from Karl Strauss and different grilled cheese sandwiches to pair with for very reasonable prices. I’ve had a grilled cheese sandwich at KnB before, and this won’t be the kraft singles on white bread from your childhood.
Satuday, Nov 12th:
I ate at Terra (in their new location near 70th and El Cajon Blvd) recently and was impressed. Good food, good prices and generous portions. They’ve teamed up withBallast Point for a beer brunch that might limit your productivity for the rest of the day. Looking at the menu and beer list I’d say it’s worth it though.
I’ve never eaten at Eclipse Chocolat for any of their small plate meals, but I’ve head good things. They’ll be bringing in some beer to pair with a few different food options.
Sunday, Nov 13th:
The official end to San Diego Beer Week is the Beer Garden at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Ten chefs will each pair their food with two different breweries all with a beautiful view from the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. Check the event website for food info and the breweries that will be participating.
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