San Francisco Home Brew Barrel Walk

In case you hadn't noticed, there is a revolution in the way we make beer here in the United States. I remember as a kid seeing my dad's cooler stocked with MGD and Miller Lite and everybody seemed to be having a grand old time.

Not anymore. Last Thanksgiving there were a dozen different small batch breweries represented in the fridge, and my cousin, a beer rep, brought over a box full of another dozen leftover from different six packs. Same amount of beer, just much more variety and flavor.

If you're in San Francisco and part of that beer revolution, have I got a treat for you. The SF Home Brew Barrel Walk will be taking place on Saturday, February 16 from 12 - 4 p.m.

For that afternoon, several home brewers along the 25th Street corridor in the Mission will be opening up their backyards and garages to the public. This is a very cool chance to see home brewers working their magic. For those who have a long history as beer drinkers but don't really know anything about the process that makes what we all so love in the bottle, this is the perfect way to learn about it. It's even better than a brewery tour because you'll be able to walk around the machinery and understand the processes happening, not just gaze up at the massive machinery at a large brewery.

And if you don't care much about how it's done, just when it's done, don't worry. They'll be pouring tastes for those who care to imbibe. Something for your curiosity and your palette.

What's more, each person will be brewing batches of the same beer to fill a barrel and age it for next year's SF beer week. What beer will they all be brewing, you ask? That's for you to decide. If you like, you can head to their website and place your vote as to whether you would rather see and taste:

1. Oud Bruin

2. Old Ale

3. Flanders Red Ale

SF beer lovers, mark your calendar. I'll toast you when we all get out there.

Image courtesy of SF Barrel Walk