BBQs & Tap Takeovers: the 650 guide to Silicon Valley Beer Week
Everything you need to know about what’s brewing during our big summer beer fest
Like clockwork — Beer Week is back in the bay!
The seventh annual Silicon Valley Beer Week will showcase tastings, tap takeovers and numerous special events throughout the South Bay and the Peninsula. We couldn’t ask for anything more than our vibrant, local craft brewing culture coming together with some of the area’s best eateries. So to ensure that you don’t let this coming week of hoppin’ festivities pass you by…here is our guide to the best Beer Week happenings around Silicon Valley.
Everything kicks off this year with the big Brews at the Zoo party at Happy Hollow Park.
Explore the zoo while sampling some (or many) beers from over 40 breweries. There will be live music at Crooked Meadow, a summer-only Jungle Adventure Exhibit and three hours of unlimited beer pouring. Doesn’t sound sweet enough yet? There will also be fresh honey sampling! Full details and tickets here. Proceeds benefit local non-profits.
TAP’T Beer & Kitchen
The perennially popular downtown Sunnyvale-based taproom will be hosting a lengthy list of special events throughout Silicon Valley Beer Week, beginning with a Revision Tap Takeover on Friday (7/19) before having a Temescal Brewing Tap Takeover later in the week.
Also check out some of their other events, including Name the IPA (where there will be a blind test taste) as well as their Laughing Monk Coaster Art Contest where you can show off your art skills while enjoying local brews.
TAP’T’s full kitchen will be cranking out quality eats all day, everyday. So grab a pint, order up some pancakes topped with fried chicken and settle into Beer Week in style.
TAP’T Beer & Kitchen // 259 W Washington Ave, Sunnyvale (408) 617–8278
Alpha Acid Brewing
The wonderfully eccentric brewers of Belmont are bottling up their one-of-a-kind aged stouts for Barrel Constrictor Day (July 27th).
Their stock will go quick as savvy Peninsula beer aficionados will likely have this one staked out, so arrive early to Alpha Acid headquarters in San Carlos to swoop in on some of the many flavors of this small-batch barrel-aged dark beer. Past flavor have included Vanilla Rye, Bourbon and Espresso.
Alpha Acid Brewing // 121 Industrial Rd #11, Belmont (650) 394–4728
4th Street Pizza Co.
Things will be lively and delicious at 4th Street Pizza Co., which will be hosting lots of events for Silicon Valley Beer Week, kicking off with 21st Amendment’s Hell or High Watermelon Wheat pint glass giveaway. Or join them later in the week for Thirsty Thursday with Pizza Port Brewing Co, and then conclude with their SV Beer Week Blowout (with $6 pints on all their featured brews).
Of course, those are just a few of the many events 4th Street is offering throughout the week, so check the full list of happenings here and head over for their fresh-baked pizza pies, friendly staff and well-stocked bar.
4th Street Pizza Co.// 150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose (408) 286–7500
Original Gravity Public House
Beer Week coincides with this San Jose craft beer house’s 7th anniversary party where there will be a stellar beer lineup, food specials, a DJ on the back patio and limited edition anniversary merchandise.
Later in the week, Original Gravity will host a Ghostwood Beer Company tap takeover. Meet the head brewer of this new Redwood City favorite that has been quickly making a name for itself around the Peninsula.
Come with an appetite as well! OG serves up a lengthy list of house-made, gourmet sausages that are well worth a visit all on their own.
Original Gravity Public House// 66 S 1st St, San Jose (408) 915– 2337
Steins Beer Garden
Who doesn’t love a backyard BBQ during summer? On Monday (7/22) Steins will be starting off Beer Week with an old school barbecue on their patio featuring the likes of Dust Bowl Brewing, Modern Times Beer and Half Moon Bay Brewing.
On Wednesday night they’ll feature the beers of Coastside brewery Hop Dogma, and then wind down the week on Saturday with a Silicon Valley Tap Takeover, showcasing the likes of Lazy Duck Brewing, Camino Brewing Co., Santa Clara Valley Brewing, and more.
And don’t forget—dogs are always welcome in their beer garden.
Steins Beer Garden // 895 Villa St, Mountain View (650) 963–9568
Nom Burger
The Sunnyvale burger masters have lined up a lengthy list of tap takeovers this year, kicking off with a colorful cross section from Moonraker Brewing, before proceeding through the week with the sour ale wizardry of Rare Barrel to San Jose IPA architects Lazy Duck Brewing.
Wednesday night will feature trivia on Santa Clara historical sites while Santa Clara Valley Brewing takes over the taps.
End the week with their 4th annual Beer Pong Tournament and see if you’ve got the touch to be crowned South Bay champ.
Nom Burger // 251 W Washington Ave, Sunnyvale, (408) 720–8880
Refuge — San Carlos
The good folks at Refuge will be serving gourmet comfort food and hosting three tap take overs that are well worth a visit. On Saturday (7/20) they’ll host SF’s Barebottle Brewing, followed by Tuesday night’s event with the unique fruit-oriented offerings of Alamnac Beer Co., and concluding with Full Circle’s exceptional craft beer on Friday.
Don’t forget to save room for the Refuge’s famous Rueben sandwiches!!
Refuge- San Carlos// 963 Laurel St, San Carlos, (650)598–9813
Golden State Brewery
Bring your pup to the pet-friendly Golden State Brewery and get a beer of your choice along with a goodie bag filled with fun items for your pooch.
Not an animal person? Not to worry, three other collaborative events will be taking place, including their showcase of Six Rivers Brewery “NorCal Passion” IPA and their hazy IPA HAPA BEAR collaboration with Hapa Brewing Co.
Good beer and an outdoor screening of your favorite quintessential summer 80’s classic movie? Golden State will be showing The Goonies on their outdoor screen, so bring a comfy chair and get cozy.
Golden State Brewery // 1252 Memorex Dr, Santa Clara (408) 727–2337
Also noteworthy during Silicon Valley Beer Week:
- PABC Tap Takeover—Ludwig’s German Table (7/19)
- San Mateo County Brewery Festival (7/20)
- Beer Can Open—Santa Teresa Golf Club (7/20)
- Beer Can Cornhole Tournament—Jack’s Bar & Lounge (7/20)
- Breweries, Bar & Brothels Downtown Walking Tour (7/21)
- The Brewery Comedy Tour—Off The Rails Brewing Co. (7/21)
- Fieldwork Tap Takeovers—Jtown Pizza Co. (7/23)
- Humble Sea Beer Dinner—Oak & Rye (7/24)
- Imperial IPA Tap Takeover—Khartoum (7/25)
- Summer Sunday Sours—Lazy Duck Brewing (7/28)
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