Bay Area Brewers Guild Executive Director Leads SF Beer Week

Sayre Piotrkowski, an advanced cicerone, is advocating for 71 local breweries during the annual celebration.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Sayre Piotrkowski, the new executive director of the Bay Area Brewers Guild, is leading this year's SF Beer Week, a nine-day celebration of the region's craft beer scene. Piotrkowski, an advanced cicerone, has a long history in the local beer industry, having worked at renowned establishments like Monk's Kettle, Henhouse Brewing, and Hog's Apothecary. In his new role, he is the chief advocate for 71 member breweries, showcasing their creativity and high-quality products during the event's over 200 scheduled activities.

Why it matters

SF Beer Week is a crucial annual event for the Bay Area's craft beer community, which has faced significant challenges in recent years, including the departure of venture capital investors. Piotrkowski's leadership aims to highlight the resilience and innovation of the region's small, independent breweries, which have continued to produce world-class beers despite industry turbulence.

The details

Piotrkowski first gained recognition as a cicerone, or beer sommelier, at the iconic Monk's Kettle in San Francisco's Mission District, where he educated customers on the nuances of craft beers. He went on to work at other beloved beer-centric establishments, including Henhouse Brewing, Hog's Apothecary, and St. Vincent. Now, as the executive director of the Bay Area Brewers Guild, Piotrkowski is leveraging his deep knowledge and passion for craft beer to advocate for the 71 member breweries, showcasing their creativity and high-quality products during SF Beer Week.

  • SF Beer Week runs from February 24 to March 1, 2026.
  • Piotrkowski first met the author at Monk's Kettle in 2009, shortly after the author moved to San Francisco.

The players

Sayre Piotrkowski

The executive director of the Bay Area Brewers Guild and an advanced cicerone with a long history in the local craft beer industry, including roles at Monk's Kettle, Henhouse Brewing, Hog's Apothecary, and St. Vincent.

Bay Area Brewers Guild

A nonprofit organization that represents 71 member breweries in the Bay Area, from Monterey to Windsor.

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What they’re saying

“This new role really lets me do the work I'm good at; engaging the end consumer to be more savvy and interested.”

— Sayre Piotrkowski, Executive Director, Bay Area Brewers Guild (48hills.org)

“The 'smart money', if you will, is elsewhere now. People looking to participate in an industry for the four-times, five-times, six-times return in a short amount of time? Those people don't usually make things better. If that's your desire, you're not playing in craft beer anymore.”

— Sayre Piotrkowski, Executive Director, Bay Area Brewers Guild (48hills.org)

“Beer has never been better in this country. The world's best beers are really easy to get and we're making the best beer we've ever made in the Bay Area right now.”

— Sayre Piotrkowski, Executive Director, Bay Area Brewers Guild (48hills.org)

What’s next

During SF Beer Week, the Bay Area Brewers Guild will host over 200 events showcasing the creativity and quality of its member breweries, providing beer enthusiasts with ample opportunities to sample the region's finest craft offerings.

The takeaway

Despite the challenges faced by the craft beer industry in recent years, including the departure of venture capital investors, the Bay Area's small, independent breweries continue to thrive, producing world-class beers that are celebrated during the annual SF Beer Week event led by the passionate and experienced Sayre Piotrkowski.