San Diego Brew Festival
When: January 11, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Liberty Station, Point Loma
Craft beer gets a lot of credit for putting San Diego on the makers’ map across the country, and it probably deserves even more. Chefs came here for the beer and opened restaurants. Major media outlets came here for the beer and tried the restaurants and took in the sights. Hoppy Pale Ales became our modern Shamu, the main attraction. This annual fest gathers over 70 breweries, serving over 150 beers on the lawn of Liberty Station, with bands and a handful of food trucks. A great one-shot look into an industry that shaped modern San Diego. Proceeds also go to Noah’s B. Ark, a nonprofit for rescue dogs.
Cost: $45-$60
Movie Theater Super Bowl
When: Feb. 2, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Theatre Box, 701 Fifth Avenue, Downtown
From an event with substance to one celebrating a multibillion dollar industry with questionable ethics surrounding the health and behavior of its players. But let’s put aside the ethics of the Super Bowl for now, because most of us still love American traditions and are are still going to watch it. And can’t think of a better way to watch one of America’s biggest spectacles than on a full-sized movie screen or a 200 square foot screen in the lobby area. Theatre Box will have drink and food specials throughout the game (two beers, tub of corn, $18), plus gourmet stuff from their in-house restaurant, Sugar Factory American Brasserie. Plus, the Patriots are no longer in the hunt, which makes the world feel like a little bit of a better place.
Cost: Admission is free
2100 Kettner Fete & Feast
When: Feb. 6, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Herb & Eatery, 2100 Kettner Blvd, Little Italy
Sometimes the chefs are great. Sometimes the cause is great. This one is both and then some. It’s a feast/cocktails/music/entertainment shebang that brings together some of the top local names in sustainable seafood, including chefs Andrew Bachelier (Jeune et Jolie), Brad Wise (Trust/Fort Oak), Brian Malarkey (Herb & Wood/Animae), Jason McLeod (Ironside), Brian Redzikowski (Kettner Exchange), Davin Waite (Wrench & Rodent), Kelli Crosson (A.R. Valentien), Tim Kolanko (Cucina Urbana), Tommy Gomes (not a chef, per se, but an iconic fishmonger from Catalina Offshore), Travis Swikard (ex-Bar Boulud/Callie), Matt Gordon (Stake Chophouse), and Rachel King (Kaneh Co.). Local fishermen from Tuna Harbor Dockside Market will supply the fresh catch. Hosted by the LEED-certified, sustainably focused Kilroy Realty, they’re donating 100% of the proceeds to the San Diego Fisherman’s Working Group. Local fishermen’s future is seemingly always up in the air, as I explained in this feature on the industry, and SDFWG is made of the fishermen and women standing up for the industry.
Cost: $40
The Best Food and Drink Events in January and February
Tuna Dockside Market will supply the fresh catch for 2100 Kettner Fete & Feast | Photo by Claire Smith
