Aside from this potentially record-breaking heat wave about to hit us, it's a sure sign that summer has arrived when L.A. Beer Week rolls around. This weekend, the nine-day celebration of the best beer in LA (and beyond!) kicks off with a sudsy festival at LA Center Studios, followed by days of events across the city that include tap takeovers, seminars, tastings and bar crawls. You can check out the entire calendar here, but there's a lot to sift through—so we did it for you. Here are the best events taking place during L.A. Beer Week, one for each day of the week.
Some of these are ticketed events, so keep in mind they might sell out soon. Click the links below to snag your spot.
Saturday, June 18: L.A. Beer Week Kickoff Festival
It's back! This kickoff festival is a celebration of the week to come, hosting more than 75 breweries and 200 beers, live entertainment, games, food trucks and—as they have promised this year—plenty of bathrooms (hallelujah). Festival attendees will also be among the first to taste Unity, the official beer of L.A. Beer Week. Each year, a different brewery comes up with the signature brew; this year, Three Weavers produced a hoppy American IPA Unity. Tickets sell fast, so get on it!
Los Angeles Center Studios, Noon-4:30pm, $45-$65
Sunday, June 19: Popfuji
If you haven't checked out the new Brouwerij West in San Pedro yet, Beer Week is the perfect time to do so. They're throwing an all-day bash featuring seven bands and a bevy of food trucks to introduce the brewery's new German-style pilsner, called Popfuji. All ages are welcome, so feel free to bring the kiddos (just, you know, don't let them sample any Popfuji).
Brouwerij West, noon-9pm, prices vary
Monday, June 20: Craft: The California Beer Documentary
Stop by the El Segundo branch of Rock & Brews gastropub to catch the screening of Craft: The California Beer Documentary, directed by Jeff Smith. The film looks at the $6.5 billion industry through interviews with 80 California brewers, touching on everything from the state's daunting drought to the idea that we're in a craft beer bubble.
Rock & Brews El Segundo, 7-9:30pm, free (but you should definitely buy a beer)
Tuesday, June 21: Battle of the Bands
They brew your beer, but did you know they can rock out, too? Battle of the Brewery Bands is back with your favorite brewmasters shredding and singing and doing god knows what else at the Echoplex. Doors open at 6pm, the show starts at 7pm, and the winner will be drunkenly announced after all 15 bands have performed.
Echoplex, 6pm, $10-$12
Wednesday, June 22: Vagabond Guided Cheese & Beer Pairings
Alright, it's time for a little sustenance. Let Alex Oueriff, owner of Vagabond Cheese, show you how cheese and beer is a match made in heaven with the help from El Segundo Brewing's Thomas Kelley. On this delicious, guided journey, attendees will snack on raclette potatoes followed by four cheese and beer pairings.
El Segundo Brewing, 6-8pm, $35
Thursday, June 23: Cider Style Off
This one's for you, cider fans. It's an old world versus new world style off, as traditionally brewed ciders face off against their modern variations. Tickets to this event include eight ciders—including picks from 101 Cider House, Oregon's Wandering Aengus Ciderworks, and classic European ciders from France and Spain—along with a burger and fries.
ERB, 7-9pm, $TBA
Friday, June 24: BFE Fest
Join Wolf Creek in recognizing the "perimeter" of the L.A. County Brewers Guild, breweries that might take a little bit longer to get to: 818 Brewing, Claremont Craft Ales, Kinetic and Bravery Brewing, to name a few. There will be live music, food trucks, an art show and, of course, unlimited samples from these far flung breweries.
Wolf Creek Brewery, 6pm, $15-$35
Saturday, June 25: The Gold Line Pub Crawl
Everybody onto the train! Back in its third year, the Gold Line Pub Crawl is inviting Angelenos on a boozy ride, stopping at various bars along the Gold Line to sample LA's best brews. Sip on Mumford Brewing suds at Wolf & Crane, Smog City at Melody Lounge, Craftsman at Lucky Baldwin's and more.
Various locations, 11am, prices vary
Sunday, June 26: Glendale Tap Block Party
Featuring Smog City, Monkish and Phantom Carriage—some of the South Bay's best breweries—Glendale Tap is closing out L.A. Beer Week with its third annual block pary. Specialty kegs will be featured, along with food from the Walrus & the Hedgehog Artisanal Catering. Bonus: you'll get a sneak peek of Glendale Tap's new patio by doing some outdoor drinking.
Glendale Tap, 5pm, prices vary
What L.A. Beer Week events are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!