How to Crash the Craft Brewers Conference

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Tonight: Twenty taps of Deschutes at Beer Revolution.

Unfortunately, spring is off to a rainy start here, and you have to be in the beer industry to attend the conference. Never fear! SFoodie is here with your guide to crashing the festivities. S.F. is welcoming the conference to town for the first time, and you'll have ample opportunity to hobnob with industry vets at numerous public gatherings around town and across the bay. Enjoy a brew with your favorite celebrity brewer at these events:

Wed., Mar. 23:

Deschutes Beer Tasting
Where: Beer Revolution, 464 Third St. (at Broadway) Oakland, 510-452-2337
When: 6 p.m. on
Cost: Pay per drink
What: The beer revolutionaries are dishing up 20 taps of Deschutes brews, including multiple vintages of the coveted Abyss Imperial Stout. Look for an appearance of Old Woody, Deschutes' enormous mobile draft system. Think of a bookmobile, but shaped like a barrel and sporting numerous taps...

Thu., Mar. 24:

Beer and Chocolate Tasting with the Brewer's Supply Group and TCHO Chocolate
Where: TCHO Factory, Pier 17 (at Embarcadero)
When: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $25 at the door
What: Join the folks from City Beer Store as they sponsor a night of brews and carefully selected beer pairings. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ALS Association. Cost includes a belly full of chocolate and beer, a peek inside the closest thing S.F. has to the Wonka factory, and the satisfaction of donating to a great cause.

Fri., Mar. 25:

Citizens of the World Gathering
Where: The Trappist, 460 Eighth St. (at Broadway) Oakland, 510-238-8900
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: Pay per drink
What: Shelton Brothers Imports sponsors a night featuring breweries from over the border and across the pond. Highlights include brews from Montreal's Dieu Du Ciel, Norway's Nogne-O, and rare kegs of sour beer from Belgium's Cantillon Brewery. If you want to end your night with a local brew, walk down Broadway to Beer Revolution, where all 47 taps will represent East and North Bay brewers from 6 p.m. until close. Drink local ― and global.

Sat., Mar. 26:

Ninkasi Brewing Presents Brewing Up Cocktails
Where: 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna (at Second St.), 974-1719
When: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Pay per drink
What: Join the Brewing Up Cocktails team as they mix cocktails featuring five Ninkasi brews. Learn about the fundamentals of mixing alcohol with your alcohol, and chat with Ninkasi's owner/brewer Jamie Floyd.