The sunny city of San Diego has gained a reputation for its thriving craft brew industry over the last decade and a half. Dubbed the “Capital of Craft,” it is home to over 150 independent craft brewers and the birthplace of some of the industry’s most well-known breweries. There’s a brewery and a beverage for beer experts, first-timer, and everyone in between.
From Karl Strauss and Belching Beaver to Stone Brewing and Kilowatt – the San Diego craft beer scene has something for everyone. As San Diego brewers continue to innovate and the craft beer movement gains traction, beer lovers from all around come together once a year to celebrate the exquisite beer culture of San Diego.
From November 5 through November 14, join us for the 13th Annual San Diego Beer Week (SDBW). From the South Bay to the North County, this countywide festival brings craft beer aficionados together for a week of fun, drinking, and partying. Read on to learn more about this exciting event ready to unfold in San Diego and why you should be a part of it.
San Diego’s Thriving Craft Culture: A Walk down the History Lane
San Diego has built an enviable reputation as one of the world’s best craft beer cities in the last decade, but why is that? Well, the current beer culture can be attributed to favorable legislation and the general love for beer among the locals. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, legislation permitted home brewing as well as commercial production and sale of beer in restaurants, allowing successful hobbyists to shift to business owners and sell their art.
With the legalization of home-brewing came a slew of local groups of homebrewers who got together, shared recipes, offered advice, entered beers in competitions, and collectively pushed the flavor envelope, resulting in beers that San Diego hadn’t seen in decades. Individual experimentation allowed for a vast knowledge base to emerge locally thanks to home brewing, resulting in a thriving home brewer scene.
Some major organizations and individuals came together to boost the brewing boom in San Diego County. As a result, the brewing sector in San Diego is dominated by a sense of patriotism rather than competitiveness. Most brewers know each other or have started their careers in each other’s breweries. Therefore the culture in the region is more trusting and respectful than in other beer cities across the country.
The Guild & San Diego Beer Week
The Guild, founded in 1997, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting San Diego breweries and fostering open communication, resulting in a strong and lively community. Today, the organization arranges the Guild Fest, a beer festival, every year to mark the starting of the Beer Week in San Diego.
What to Expect at San Diego Beer Week 2021?
San Diego Beer Week 2021 will take place at more than 150 independent craft brewers around San Diego County. Brewery members, taverns, and restaurants throughout the region are expected to host some remarkable private events.
Unfortunately, Guild Fest will skip another year due to health and safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 Delta Variant, with hopes to return in 2022. So, craft beer fans and visitors are encouraged to attend the 4th Annual Virtual Kick-Off Toast on Friday, November 5, at 7 p.m. PT.
The experiences organized by the San Diego Brewers Guild involve two carefully picked packages of San Diego craft beer that will be delivered to your door. Each box contains 2021 Capital of Craft IPA and numerous other beers from renowned San Diego breweries. You will also find tasting notes and video interviews with the brewers. Each tour gets a 12-pack of mixed 16-ounce cans.
Visit SD Beer to get your Tasting Experience Pass for the virtual sampling experience or find SD Beer Week Events near you.
Why Should You Be More Excited About San Diego Beer Week?
Have you ever had the chance to attend the SDBW or a beer festival? Even if you are not the biggest beer fan, you should be excited about Beer Week. There are countless reasons to go out in the town and check out some of the best craft beer in the world. Here’s why you should just drop everything and get ready for Beer Week.
The Beer Week celebrations frequently provide opportunities to participate in seminars that teach you how to taste beer properly. This is your chance to get to know your beer better. You can learn how to pair different beers with different dishes and how to cook with different sorts of beers.
Plus, Beer Week is celebrated in a wide range of venues, which means you can check out your favorite bars and restaurants to test new cuisines while also learning a few new recipes for your next get-together. These get-togethers are also one big party. You can party with your friends or take this up as an opportunity to meet new folks who share your interests and desire similar experiences.
The Beer Week allows breweries from all across the country to showcase their brews to the general audience. These festivals will provide you with the opportunity to try new beers and potentially discover your new favorite.
More Beer, Please!
Craft beer has supplied the City of San Diego with a revitalized economic engine that supports the local economy by creating jobs and providing charity assistance to deserving causes. Did you know that for every job established in the beer industry, 5.7 jobs in supporting industries are created in the county?
It’s critical to venture out and attempt new things. The San Diego Beer Week will provide a lively atmosphere in which you can try new and undiscovered beers. So, make reservations at your favorite bar or restaurant celebrating San Diego Beer Week and get ready to enjoy your pints like never before.
