A whole week dedicated to beer? LA, you shouldn't have. And yet, here it is, the 6th annual LA Beer Week, running September 20-28 in various bars, breweries and restaurants across the city. There's a lot going on—and a lot of beer to drink—so we've narrowed the schedule down for you. Here are the best Beer Week events during each day of the festival.
Saturday, 9/20: LA Brewers Beer Week Kick-Off Fest
If you're going to participate in Beer Week, you should start off with a bang. This year's kick-off event has moved to Chinatown, where you can sample 35 craft beers for $45 in your spankin' new commemorative Beer Week glass. Chat with local brewmasters and absorb all that beer with snacks from the food trucks on site. Tickets are officially sold out, but you can still find a few being pawned off on Craigslist. Old Chinatown Plaza, 3-7pm, $45
Sunday, 9/21: Eagle Rock Brewery's Annual Brewers Brunch
With all the pints you downed at last night's celebration, you'll need something to cure that hangover: more beer. Okay, and brunch. Eagle Rock Brewery's Annual Brewers Brunch provides both, offering a beer, beermosa or michelada, as well as brunch (prepared by resident chef Jerry Su), for $15. Plus, you'll get to hang out with some of the best brewers in the biz (who will probably give you their quality hangover tips). Sign up for the event here. Eagle Rock Brewery, 3056 Roswell St, Noon-3pm, $15
Monday, 9/22: So You Want to Open a Brewery in LA, Vol. III
We all love drinking at breweries, but have you ever thought about opening one? Learn about the challenges and regulations that come with starting a brewery at this informative panel discussion featuring local brewery owners. Moderated by Tomm Carroll, LA correspondent for The Celebrator Beer News and beer history writer for Beer Paper LA, the event brings some necessary education to a week filled with more drinking than discussion. Rock & Brews, 143 Main St, El Segundo, 7-10pm, Free
Tuesday, 9/23: Musical Beer Crawl
Combine music and beer and you may inadvertently show off dance moves you never knew you had, but at least you'll be in good company at this Echo Park crawl. Starting at Sunset Beer Co., follow the crowd (a downloadable passport shows you exactly where to go) to six different locations featuring heavy discounts, archived kegs and a dance party to remember. Download the 2014 passport here. Sunset Beer Co., 1498 Sunset Blvd, 5pm-Midnight, drink prices vary
Wednesday, 9/24: City Tavern DTLA Kick the Keg
Here's a grown-up drinking game: Get 15+ breweries in one room and see whose keg runs out first. At City Tavern DTLA's Kick the Keg event, an all-star lineup of breweries will be on hand: Ladyface Ale, Ohana Brewing, Hangar 24, Ballast Point, LA Ale Works and more. The first brewery to sell out of its keg wins. Don't let them down. City Tavern DTLA, 735 S Figueroa St. #133, 6pm, drink prices vary
Thursday, 9/25: Meeting of the Guilds
Talk about a meeting of the minds. For the first time in LA Beer Week history, three California brewers guilds will join forces for one giant tap takeover. The LA, SF and SD Brewers Guild breweries (15 representatives from each) will try their hardest to convince you that their city's beer is the best, ending in a vote to see who will inherit the Golden Keg. We already know LA will win, but let's humor these guys, m'kay? Mohawk Bend, 2141 Sunset Blvd, 4-10pm, drink prices vary
Friday, 9/26: Surrealist Sudz
We're not even really sure what this advertised mash-up of experimental beers from the Eagle Rock Brewery team and a bohemian theme really entails, which is why we're psyched about checking it out. Held at Story Tavern in Burbank, the evening promises to be a "free range of love, life and experimentation in beer," which means they're either brewing on acid or you'll be trying some decidedly funky flavors. Either way, party on. Story Tavern, 150 S San Fernando Blvd #40, Burbank, 6:30pm, drink prices vary
Saturday, 9/27: Highland Park Brewery Oktoberfest
If you haven't had a chance to check out the new Highland Park Brewery (which opened this past June in The Hermosillo's back room), their Oktoberfest celebration is the perfect chance to do so. Tickets include handmade sausages by Chef Spencer Bazaire (L & E Oyster, El Condor) and eight, 5 oz. tasters from HP Brewery, Eagle Rock Brewery, Noble Ale Works and Craftsman Brewing. Snag tickets here. The Hermosillo, 5125 York Blvd, Noon-4pm, $30
Sunday, 9/28: Block Party at Glendale Tap
While there are a few open houses going on the last night of LA Beer Week, the Block Party at the Glendale Tap is the best way to close out the week. Two of our favorite Torrance breweries—Monkish Brewing and Smog City Brewing—will be tapping casks. From Smog City, California Love (an imperial red) is a must-try; from Monkish, go for the Arrivant (a saison with brett). Glendale Tap, 4227 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, 5-10pm, drink prices vary
For a full list of LA Beer Week events, check out their official website here. And for more taprooms you can visit, see who made our list of the best breweries in LA.