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February officially kicks off beer event season in Sonoma County, where local beer is nearly as ubiquitous as wine.
Those wanting to learn more about the region’s epic craft beer scene (or refresh their memory) should kick things off with the 2026 Santa Rosa Beer Passport. Download the free digital passport on your phone, then check in at each participating brewery to earn points.
Those who collect enough points will be eligible for special prizes, including the limited-edition 10th anniversary Beer Passport medal. To sign up, visit visitsantarosa.com/beerpassport
Now on to our list of the best local beer events in 2026.
SF Beer Week returns Feb. 20-March 1 with a hop-heavy schedule of special events throughout the Bay Area. In the North Bay, don’t miss Old Caz Beer’s 10-day lineup at its Rohnert Park brewery, including a tasting that highlights the historical evolution of the IPA (Feb. 20) and a Video Game Olympiad (Feb. 25). Visit sfbeerweek.org/profiles/old-caz for details.
Also don’t miss: SF Beer Week Fest (Feb. 21), a grand tasting with unlimited pours from nearly 50 breweries, plus music and food; Farmer, Malter, Brewer (Feb 22), a malthouse tour and tasting with longtime grain growers at Admiral Maltings; the United Sours of America sour fest at Monk’s Kettle in Oakland (Feb. 21); Brewery Tour at Laughing Monk in San Francisco (Feb. 25); and Sonoma County Craft Beer Tasting (Feb. 27) with certified cicerone Allo Gilinsky at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum.
For a full list of events and to purchase tickets, visit sfbeerweek.org
The Beer City Festival takes place Saturday, Feb. 21, starting with an optional half-marathon, 10K, 5K, or one-mile stroll at A Place to Play in Santa Rosa. At 1 p.m., head to Moonlight Brewing for Shindig, a post-race event with beer, live music from School of Rock, food trucks and games. Don’t miss the Beermazing Race, a treasure hunt challenging guests to visit five or more taprooms and buy beer along the way. The Beer Trolley will provide free transportation (a designated driver) along the route.
For more information or to sign up, visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaRosa/RunBeerCity
HenHouse Brewing Company’s second annual Big Chicken Fest returns Feb. 21 to celebrate the release of its super-fresh Zero Day Double IPA. From noon to 7 p.m., expect plenty of Big Chicken on tap, accompanied by a lineup of live music, food (World Famous Hotboys, Tita’s Cuisine, Gaba Cool Provisions, A Little Luster) and local vendors.
General admission is free, with beer available for purchase. The Fast Entry Pass ($134) includes two draft pours of Big Chicken, three 16-ounce four-packs of Big Chicken, tax and fees.
For more information, visit henhousebrewing.com.
Beer fans from around the world eagerly await Russian River Brewing Co.’s annual release of Pliny the Younger, the world’s first triple IPA. This year, the iconic beer will be available at the brewery’s Santa Rosa and Windsor taprooms from March 20 through April 2. On peak days (Friday-Sunday), wait times can exceed six hours, so prepare to be patient and consider bringing a folding chair. Rumor has it lines are shorter Monday through Thursday and during evenings at the Windsor brewpub. Each guest or party has a maximum time limit of 2.5 hours.
For more information, visit russianriverbrewing.com/pliny-the-younger-release.
The Battle of the Brews returns to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 11, when some of the country’s best craft beers and barbecue will collide. During the Craft Cup Competition, microbreweries go head-to-head in numerous categories, with beer entries available for tasting. Over 100 beers will be available for sampling from dozens of breweries, along with a stellar lineup of food and live music. Tickets are $95 per person (plus an $8.22 fee) and include all-you-can-eat barbecue and all-you-can (responsibly) drink beer.
For tickets and information, visit battleofthebrews.com.
Now in its 29th year, the Boonville Beer Festival returns to the Mendocino County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 2. More than 50 breweries, five bands and plenty of food vendors will gather for a suds-filled day among the redwoods. Camping is available at the fairgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as at nearby Hendy Woods.
Early-bird (before April 24) tickets start at $69.24; day-of admission is $74.49. For tickets and information, visit avbc.com/boonville-beer-fest.
Cooperage Brewing’s ultra-popular CoopMania Taco Festival returns May 2 at its Airway Court location in Santa Rosa. There will be many tacos to choose from in various styles, with tasty beer to wash them down. Lucha Libre wrestling and live music make this a family-friendly event not to be missed.
For more information, visit cooperagebrewing.com.
Celebrate (or commiserate) the end of summer at the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival on Sept. 12. More than two dozen regional breweries will be pouring at this 12th annual event in downtown Petaluma, which also offers live music from local bands and food from some of Petaluma’s top restaurants.
More information coming soon at petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org.
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