FeBREWary kicks off beer event season in Sonoma County and beyond

Sonoma County may be best known for its world-class wine. But beer drinkers in-the-know recognize the region as a mecca for top-notch craft brews.

While satisfying suds can be found in the Bay Area year-round, beer event season typically kicks off in February with the release of Santa Rosa’s “FeBREWary” Beer Passport.

Those who sign up for the free digital passport can collect points by checking in to each of the 15 participating breweries. Collect enough points to quality for special Beer Passport prizes, including a commemorative lanyard and medal that doubles as a bottle opener. The first 100 people to redeem a lanyard will receive a 30% discount to the Beer City Festival on Feb. 24 in Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square.

To sign up, visit visitsantarosa.com/beerpassport.

Here’s my roundup of the best local beer events of 2024.

SF Beer Week (Feb. 9-18)

Spanning two weekends, the highly anticipated SF Beer Week kicks off Friday, Feb. 9, with loads of beer-centric events throughout the Bay Area. While its nearly impossible to narrow down what not to miss, some highlights include Brew It Yourself with Admiral Maltings in Alameda (Feb. 17), the Bay Area West Coast IPA Competition at Richmond Republic (Feb. 17), the Celebration of Craft Beer Festival at Trumer Brewery in Berkeley (Feb. 17) and the fifth annual Hazy vs. West Coast IPA Showdown at State of Mind in Los Altos (Feb. 17).

For a complete list of events, visit sfbeerweek.org.

Beer City Festival, Santa Rosa

11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

The Beer City Festival kicks off with an optional half-marathon, 10K or 5K race, followed by unlimited beer tasting, food and live music in Old Courthouse Square. Over 25 beverage companies will be on tap for the event, including HenHouse, the Cooperage and Old Caz.

Festival tickets from $60. Location: Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa.

Optional race entry begins at $55 and includes a 30% discount on festival tickets.

For more information, visit beercityfest.com/santarosa.

Pliny the Younger Release, Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa/Windsor

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, March 22-Thursday, April 4

Beer fans from around the world flock to Russian River Brewing Co. in Sonoma County to celebrate the annual release of Pliny the Younger, an iconic triple IPA that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024. This year, the beer will be available at the brewery’s Santa Rosa and Windsor taprooms from March 22 through April 4. During peak visiting days (Friday-Sunday) wait times can extend up to six hours or longer, so prepare to be patient and consider bringing an expandable chair. (Rumor has it that lines are shorter Monday through Thursday and during the evenings at the Windsor brewpub location.) Each guest/party will have a maximum time limit of two and a half hours.

For more information, visit russianriverbrewing.com/pliny-the-younger-release.

27th annual Battle of the Brews, Santa Rosa

1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Battle of the Brews is not to be missed by craft beer lovers who will appreciate the wide breadth of stellar, often unique beers on tap at this annual event. During the Craft Cup Competition, microbreweries from around the country will go head to head in a variety of categories, with beer entries available for tasting by event attendees. Well over 100 beers will be available for sampling from dozens of breweries, as well as a stellar lineup of food (lots of barbecue) and live music. This event is a great opportunity to sample beers you can’t try anywhere else.

Craft Cup tickets are $95. Location: Grace Pavilion, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa.

For tickets and information, visit battleofthebrews.com.

IPA 10K, 3K, Half-Marathon + Brewfest, Sebastopol

Saturday, April 20

Races begin at 8 a.m. Brewfest begins at 10 a.m.

The IPA10K, 3K and half-marathon is Sebastopol’s leading beer event of the year. Taking off from The Barlow, all races kick off with a beer and cider toast before taking runners on a scenic loop through Sebastopol. Alternatively, two-person teams can sign up for the Beer Mile race, which requires each person to chug 12 ounces of beer before each lap. You read that right.

Post race, runners and non-runners can enjoy plenty of craft brews, wine, food and live music. The 3K is open to runners and walkers of all ages, as well as strollers and dogs.

Race registration begins at $45. Brewfest entry tickets begin at $55. Location: The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol. To register or for more information, visit ipa10K.com.

26th annual Legendary Boonville Beer Festival, Boonville

1-6 p.m. Saturday, May 4

Now in its 26th year, the Boonville Beer Festival in Anderson Valley has a one-of-a-kind vibe, with many attendees electing to camp on-site at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds or nearby at Hendy Woods State Park. Over 80 breweries from California, Oregon and beyond will be pouring at this year’s event, which promises to have an awesome food lineup and plenty of live tunes.

Need another excuse to attend? All festival proceeds will be donated to local 501(c) nonprofit organizations. There you go.

Tickets are $65. Location: Mendocino County Fairgrounds, 14400 Highway 128, Boonville. For tickets and information, visit avbc.com/boonville-beer-fest.

Beerfest — The Good One

1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 8

Beerfest – The Good One returns to the Luther Burbank Center of the Arts on Saturday, June 8, when more than 50 breweries and cideries will be pouring a wide range of sudsy libations, including West and East Coast-style IPAs, sour beers, barrel-aged brews, gose, pilsners and plenty more. Local food vendors and live music also will be on tap.

Tickets from $60. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/3ui2MZM.

Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival

Saturday, Sept. 7

Final details are still being shored up for the 2024 Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, Sept. 7. Save the date and return to petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org for updated information.

You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) and Instagram @whiskymuse.