San Jose Area Beer News and Events: Sep. 10-16, 2012

Good beer enjoyed at San Jose's Original Gravity Public House. They celebrate their official grand opening Sat., Sep. 15, 2012
Good beer enjoyed at San Jose’s Original Gravity Public House. They celebrate their official grand opening Sat., Sep. 15, 2012

The following is a collection of craft beer news and events in San Jose and the greater South Bay for the upcoming week and beyond. As events may change from time to time, please do check with the establishment directly, especially if you are extra excited about a particular event.

Recent beer news

Check out the recent video review of Hermitage Brewing Company’s Single Hop IPA: Sorachi Ace by South Bay beertubers The Beer Heads.

Speaking of Hermitage Brewing Company, premier South Bay beer blogger Peter Estaniel of BetterBeerBlog has joined the team at Hermitage Brewing Company as brand manager. Check out his recent post where he shares this exciting news.

Beer events this upcoming week

Mon., Sep. 10, 2012: San Jose’s Wine Affairs hosts a Firestone Walker event. 1435 The Alameda, 408-977-0111. “If you make it to ONE beer tasting this year – let it be this one! FIRESTONE WALKER will be here THIS MONDAY, Sept 10th with a crazy “Double Double” takeover. Featuring their flagship Double Barrel Ale, our first ever CASK with unfiltered DBA, and a keg of Limited Release Double DBA. And yes, Double Jack Double IPA will be here too. Kegs will be tapped at 5pm so hurry in! (Note: Have no fear – Football games WILL be on our tvs!).”

Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2012, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: There is a Festbier (amber ale) wooden barrel tapping event at Gordon Biersch San Jose. 33 East San Fernando St., 408-294-6785.

Tues., Sep. 11, 2012, 4 p.m. – closing: The Counter Santana Row, offers a “Mix-It-Up” 4 mini burger & beer pairings, including Devil’s Canyon Full Boar Scotch Ale and Lagunitas IPA. 3055 Olin Ave., 408-423-9200.

Wed., Sep. 12, 2012, starting at 7 p.m.: Restaurant James Randall in Los Gatos hosts a beer dinner event featuring Firestone Walker Brewing Company. To read yesterday’s article about this beer pairing dinner, click here.

Wed., Sep 12, 2012, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Catch live music and good beer at Poor House Bistro with “Blues & $2 Brews” featuring Ninkasi Brewing Co. 91 South Autumn Street, 408-292-5837.

Thurs., Sep. 13, 2012, starting at 6:00 p.m.: Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose hosts their weekly Pint Night. Check the Harry’s Hofbrau Facebook page for updates. 390 Saratoga Ave., 408-243-0434.

Thurs., Sep. 13, 2012, starting at 6 p.m.: Jack’s Bar & Lounge in Japantown offers up their weekly $2 Pint Night. Check the Jack’s Bar & Lounge Facebook page for updates. 167 East Taylor St., 408-287-5225.

Fri., Sep. 14, 2012: BevMo! stores host weekly Beer Tasting events on Fridays. Check your local BevMo! store for details.

Fri., Sep. 14, 2012, starting at 7 p.m.: Palace Cafe in Sunnyvale hosts a 5-course beer pairing dinner featuring beers from Strike Brewing Company. 139 South Murphy Ave., 408-774-6111. The current cover photo of the Strike Brewing Facebook page lists the 5-course menu and beers. RSVP to (408) 774-6111; only 30 tickets available.

Sat., Sep. 15, 2012, starting at 11 a.m.: Original Gravity Public House in downtown San Jose celebrates their official grand opening. Check out the Original Gravity Grand Opening event page on Facebook for the stellar details. 66 South 1st St. From bar manager and event coordinator Rob Monroe: “Original Gravity is having it’s official grand opening and we will be going off all day and night with brewery reps in the house and some insanely cool kegs to make you giddy with joy. Lagunitas and Firestone Walker will also be repping hard pouring 2 of their beers from jockey box taps on our back patio and we will be doing an hourly tapping of some seriously specialty and limited kegs. In addition to all of that, we will also be rolling out our full food menu including our gourmet grilled cheeses, poutine and other surprises as well. There will have OG and Brewery swag handouts all day long as well. You literally have zero excuses to not be in attendance with all of your friends and in fact after reading this lineup, you may need to excuse yourself from any previously made plans.”

Sat., Sep. 15, 2012, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.: The Los Gatos Brewing Company 20th Anniversary/Oktoberfest celebration takes place. 130G North Santa Cruz Ave., 408-395-9929. “Los Gatos Brewing Company is having a 20th Anniversary/Oktoberfest celebration!!! Join us for tasty German food, cold beer, live music and tons of fun!!! This is an outdoor event. Our restaurant will also be open with a special Oktoberfest menu!” For complete details, visit their Facebook public event page.

Sat.-Sun., Sep. 15-16, 2012: Left Bank Brasserie Santana Row hosts a prix fixe meal paired with beers from Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company as part of their Left Bank Santana Row Summer Beer Pairing Series, La Fête de la Bière. 377 Santana Row, Suite 1100, 408-984-3500.

Looking ahead: Save the date

Sat., Sep. 22, 2012, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Peter B’s Brewpub hosts the 2nd Annual Monterey Beer Garden, which will feature a number of South Bay breweries.

Thurs., Sep. 27, 2012: California Cafe in Palo Alto hosts a Strike Brewing Co. brewmasters dinner.

Sat.-Sun., Oct. 20-21, 2012: Left Bank Brasserie Santana Row hosts a prix fixe meal paired with beers from Gordon Biersch Brewing Company as part of their Left Bank Santana Row Summer Beer Pairing Series, La Fête de la Bière. 377 Santana Row, Suite 1100, 408-984-3500.

Sun., Oct. 21, 2012: Morocco’s Restaurant in Mountain View hosts a beer dinner featuring Strike Brewing Company.

Thurs., Oct. 25, 2012: California Cafe in Palo Alto hosts a Lost Coast Brewery brewmasters dinner.

Sat., Nov. 17, 2012: Save the date – the next SJ Beerwalk takes place in downtown Willow Glen.

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 17-18, 2012: Left Bank Brasserie Santana Row hosts a prix fixe meal paired with beers from Drake’s Brewing Company as part of their Left Bank Santana Row Summer Beer Pairing Series, La Fête de la Bière. 377 Santana Row, Suite 1100, 408-984-3500.

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]