Cocktails, tastings, cocktail-paired dinners and VIP parties – what could be better than that?
The 6th annual SF Cocktail week runs from September 17-23. Patrons from the Bay Area and beyond will have the opportunity to experience, imbibe, enjoy and educate themselves on all things cocktailian from some of the country’s best bar experts.
Check out details on some of the most fabulous events of the week.
NEW EVENTS
H2O Infused Cocktails with MAVEA 
Wednesday, September 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
Location: 15 Romolo (15 Romolo Place, San Francisco)
Guests are invited to learn, sip, savor and hydrate with botanically-infused water as the main ingredient in deliciously exquisite cocktails without added sugar. To enlighten and delight, MAVEA is hosting an experiential evening of H2O cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. All guests will also receive a complimentary MAVEA water filter pitcher.
COCKTAIL AND SPIRIT CLASSES
The Boothby Center presents…
Bottle-Ready Beer Distilled Into Whiskey: The story of R5 Whiskey, Clear and Aged Styles
Wednesday, September 19, 5-8 p.m.
Tickets: $25 available for purchase here
Location: The Beverage Academy (501 Jones Street, San Francisco)
Thirteenth Generation Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic has been changing the way whiskey is made since 1999 when he released Charbay Hopped Whiskey, Release I, which was distilled from bottle-ready Pilsner beer. Now for San Francisco Cocktail Week, The Boothby Center presents this seminar unveiling his newest innovation: R5 Whiskey, distilled from bottle-ready Racer 5 IPA Beer. At this seminar, guests will taste ice cold Racer 5 IPA, then Charbay R5 Clear Whiskey (aged in stainless steel, no oak) and finally the R5 Aged Whiskey (aged 22 months in French Oak).
SPIRITED SUPPERS
Produced in collaboration with an elite roster of San Francisco and East Bay restaurants and chefs, Spirited Suppers will feature cocktails created by the area’s best bartenders highlighting one artisan spirit.
Akvinta Vodka Spirited Supper at Michael Mina hosted by Bar Manager Carlo Splendorini
Monday, September 17, 6 p.m.
Location: Michael Mina (252 California St., San Francisco)
Tickets: $100 (tax and gratuity not included); call 415-397-9222
Akvinta Vodka has partnered with San Francisco Michelin-rated restaurant MICHAEL MINA for an amazing dinner pairing of food and spirits. Named Restaurant of the Year in 2011 by Esquire magazine, MICHAEL MINA has been a culinary destination since its inception and at this event, Bar Manager Carlo Splendorini will create original cocktails to match the three-course dinner.
Art in the Age Spirited Supper at Millennium
Thursday, September 20, 6 p.m.
Location: Millennium Restaurant (580 Geary Street, San Francisco)
Tickets: $90 (tax and gratuity not included); call 415-345-3900
Join Art in the Age at Millennium Restaurant for a five-course seasonal dinner designed in concert with Art in the Age cocktails. With a focus on organic produce, local farms and craft libations, attendees will enjoy an avant garde dining experience forged with the best local ingredients.
25 Lusk & Hangar One present an Indian Summer Dinner
Tuesday, September 18, 7 p.m.
Location: Twenty Five Lusk (25 Lusk Street, San Francisco)
Tickets: $95 (tax and gratuity not included); call 415-495-5875
Chef Matthew Dolan and Bar Manager Brian McKelvey offer three courses with Hangar One cocktail pairings and cocktail intermezzos that utilize herbs, savories and other ingredients from the restaurant’s farm.
Best of the West
Wednesday, September 19, 6-9 p.m.
Tickets: $45 in advance & $55 at the door; newly-added is the addition of a limited amount of VIP tables for four people available for $100 per person (includes private space, table service and an opportunity to chat with a visiting bartender)
Location: Tradition (441 Jones St., San Francisco)
Back again for another year with a showcase of the best bartenders up and down the West Coast, Best of the West will bring together guest bartenders from San Diego to Washington State with the best their city has to offer in hand. Coming together at the hottest new bar in San Francisco, Tradition, each bartender will present a signature cocktail that they feel best represents their city. Presenting at the event are: Kevin Diedrich of Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen from San Francisco; Annalisa Huante of Cincin from Reno, Nevada; J.R. Starkus of RM Seafood from Las Vegas; Christian Siglin of Craft and Commerce from San Diego; David Shenaut of Ronin-Mercenary from Portland; Naomi Schimek of Spare Room from Los Angeles; Chris Sinclair of Red Rabbit from Sacramento; and Andrew Friedman of Liberty in Seattle.
The Legends Awards
Friday, September 21, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $85 in advance (booking a block of 10 will secure a table for groups) & $95 at the door
Location: The Swedish American Hall, San Francisco (2174 Market Street)
The second annual Legends Awards announces the recipients of the 2012 awards, going to the true innovators, influencers, mentors and historians of cocktail culture in the Bay Area.
The 2012 award winners are:
- Trailblazer – Allison Evanow, CEO and Founder of Square One Organic Spirits, for her pioneering efforts in the development of high quality, organic spirits and green business practices in the industry.
- Mentor – Eric Adkins, Bar Director at Slanted Door Group, for developing pace-setting beverage programs and the skilled bartenders to execute them across multiple restaurants in the Bay Area over the last decade.
- Lifetime Achievement – Miles Karakasevic, 13th Generation Master Distiller at Charbay (pictured), for creating and building a family business that produces wine and spirits that attract worldwide acclaim and help to set a standard in craft production.
- Renegade – Martin Cate, Owner, Smuggler’s Cove, for being the torch bearer and leader for a new generation of Tiki cocktail culture and rum connoisseurship.
- Scribe – Camper English, Journalist, Alcademics.com, for his steadfast dedication to the craft of investigative journalism in spirits and cocktail culture, and his influence on the new generations of professionals and enthusiasts alike, seeking answers and debate.
Cocktail Melee
Saturday, September 22, 2-5 p.m.
Tickets: $35 in advance & $45 at the door
Location: Cigar Bar & Grill, (850 Montgomery St., San Francisco)
Engaging the public to participate in this rare gathering of spirits, the Cocktail Melee will be the easiest opportunity to connect with brands and truly learn about your personal palate and preferred flavor profiles. The event will feature a collection of various spirits from the likes of St. George Spirits, Hangar One Vodka, House Spirits, Craft Distillers and Oxley Gin to name a few; served along-side delicious bites provided by Cigar Bar. The Boothby Center for the Beverage Arts presents a handful of educational spirit and cocktail classes will be given throughout the event, including Marko Karakasevic of Charbay Distillery speaking to folks about the new R5 Aged Whiskey made from Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA. From dedicated spirit tastings and perfectly-balanced cocktails to classes and distilling rockstars, the Melee will keep guests intrigued and learning about the spirit-world from start to finish.
The California Altered State Fair by Jupiter Olympus
Saturday, September 22, 8-11 p.m.
Tickets: $45 in advance & $55 at the door
Location: Mission Dispatch, (1975 Bryant St., San Francisco)
At this costumes-encouraged outdoor event, Jupiter Olympus creates a celebration of all the Golden State has to offer, the State Fair will feature carnival games, food, contests and, of course, cocktails inspired by local bounty. Cocktail offerings will include a Salt-Water Taffy Old Fashioned, a Manhattan Sno-Cone, Smoked Watermelon Punch and Jupiter Olympus-made vegetable liqueurs in kale, radish/fennel and corn on the cob flavors. Tickets include all food and beverages.
NSProviding easy access and information to all of the week’s festivities, San Francisco Cocktail Week has partnered with Sōsh, which created a beautiful new interactive mobile guide that allows guests to share their favorites, get directions and buy tickets.
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