San Francisco Beer Week Returns with Diverse Lineup of Events

The annual celebration of Bay Area craft beer will run from February 20 to March 1, avoiding conflicts with the Super Bowl.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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San Francisco Beer Week is making a comeback this year, running from February 20 to March 1 to avoid conflicts with the Super Bowl. The event, organized by the Bay Area Brewers Guild, will feature over 200 beer-focused events across the region, including exclusive collaboration brews, beer dinners, and competitions between local brewers' guilds. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic and the timing of the Super Bowl, organizer Sayre Piotrkowski is excited to remind the community of the vibrant craft beer scene in the Bay Area.

Why it matters

San Francisco Beer Week is a longstanding tradition that celebrates the Bay Area's pioneering role in the craft beer movement. The event provides a platform for small, local breweries to connect with their communities and showcase their unique offerings. After the difficulties of the pandemic, this year's event is an important opportunity to support the local beer industry and remind people of the passion and innovation that defines the region's craft beer scene.

The details

This year's San Francisco Beer Week will feature a diverse array of events, including the return of the Battle of the Guilds competition, where brewers' guilds from across California will go head-to-head. There will also be beer dinners, collaboration brew releases, and takeovers of local bars and brewpubs by out-of-town breweries like Highland Park Brewery and Ghost Town Brewing. Organizer Sayre Piotrkowski is particularly excited about the opportunity to remind the community of the special connection between craft beer enthusiasts and the breweries that serve them.

  • San Francisco Beer Week will run from February 20 to March 1, 2026.
  • The Battle of the Guilds competition will take place on Sunday, February 23 at Pond Farm Brewing Co. in San Rafael.

The players

Sayre Piotrkowski

The executive director of the Bay Area Brewers Guild, which organizes San Francisco Beer Week.

Highland Park Brewery

A Los Angeles-based brewery that will be taking over the taps at California Gold in San Rafael on February 22.

Ghost Town Brewing

An Oakland-based brewery that was originally started by a metal band to help pay rehearsal rent, and will be taking over the taps at California Gold in San Rafael on February 28.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to remind everybody involved of the time when we were all excited about it, before COVID made things difficult for the industry.”

— Sayre Piotrkowski, Executive Director, Bay Area Brewers Guild (marinij.com)

“During the pandemic, many breweries had fewer opportunities to educate customers about what makes craft beer so special.”

— Sayre Piotrkowski, Executive Director, Bay Area Brewers Guild (marinij.com)

What’s next

The full list of events for San Francisco Beer Week is still being finalized, so more details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

San Francisco Beer Week is a celebration of the Bay Area's vibrant and innovative craft beer scene, providing an opportunity for small, local breweries to connect with their communities and showcase their unique offerings. After the challenges of the pandemic, this year's event is an important way for beer enthusiasts to support the local industry and rediscover the passion and creativity that defines the region's craft beer culture.