Beer weeks are popular in hundreds of American cities. Once the domain of larger metropolitan areas, beer weeks are popping up in smaller cities as well and one city about to celebrate its first ever beer week is San Luis Obispo, California, which welcomes its first beer week, SLO Beer Week, October 16 through 22, 2016.
California is overloaded with craft beer and thus almost any city with a significant population likely has at least one brewery. San Luis Obispo has fewer than 50,000 residents, but the beautiful coastal city is home to Tap it Brewing, Bang the Drum Brewery, Central Coast Brewing, and others, not to mention scores of craft beer bars and restaurants. SLO Beer Week Event Producer Holly Holiday says the region’s craft beer culture and other attributes make it an obvious place to honor the world’s greatest beverage for a seven day period.
“SLO Beer Week provides a showcase for beer lovers the world over to enjoy and experience not just the award-winning regional brewers in and around SLO, but also the best craft brewers from around the country,” says Holiday. “Attendees will be able to meet and hang with these innovative brewers, throw back the best beer being made today—all the while indulging in SLO’s culinary wonders and soaking in its coastal sea air and warm sunshine.”
Here is a quick summary of the events scheduled for the 1st annual SLO Beer Week:
CollaBEERation (Sunday, Oct. 16)
This beer festival leads off the week of events with a blowout party highlighting brewer collaborations. In addition to showcasing some of America’s best beer brewing partnerships, the event will showcase some of the area’s best foods with live musical entertainment.
Beer Week Movie Night (Monday, Oct. 17)
SLO Beer Week is proud to host the regional premiere of Craft: The California Beer Documentary at the historic Fremont Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo. Learn more than you thought possible about California’s craft beer industry, munch on some popcorn, and wash it all down with a delicious craft beer.
Beer Geek (Wednesday, Oct. 19)
Beer education is an important aspect of craft beer culture. This midweek seminar is bound to boost your malt beverage IQ, introducing the craft beer curious to styles, brewing methods, beer trends, and more. If you’re interest is piqued and you wish to take things to the next level, you can even register to take the Certified Cicerone Exam, right at the event. There is limited seating, so make reservations as early as possible.
SLO Thursday Night Farmer’s Market Tasting (Thursday, Oct. 20)
Farmer’s Markets are a great means to healthier living, but how could they be better? By including a beer tasting, that’s how! This SLO Beer Week event will cast the spotlight on 10 local breweries as well as compatible foods such as local meats and cheeses while live music from a local band keeps you and other guests entertained.
SOMM vs. Cicerone Dinner (Friday, Oct. 21)
Beer dinners are growing in popularity. Some still believe wine is the beverage most compatible with fine cuisine and at this educational event, you will be able to make your own decision. The dinner will take place in the historic Mission San Luis Obispo and will feature a Master Sommelier and a Certified Cicerone, each of whom will select beer and wine pairings for a four- course meal. Guest will get to sample the same foods with a compatible wine, then with a compatible beer. And you always thought a vintage chardonnay was the best match with your seafood!
The Best Of The Fest (Saturday, Oct. 22)
SLO Beer Week ends with a grand finale- a Grand Tasting that will feature the week’s finest beer with additional seminars, awards & special recognition and, of course, delicious fare and live, local tunes.
If San Luis Obispo is in your travel plans, you can receive a 20 percent discount on SLO Beer Week tickets if you book them with a San Luis Obispo hotel during the event. To learn more, visit slobeerweek.com/lodging. If you want to purchase tickets to the week’s events or just learn more about the activities, background, contact info, etc. visit online at slobeerweek.com. It’s going to be a great inaugural event, so buy your tickets today!
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