December 2015 Beer Events in and around San Jose

Simply visiting your local brewery (five at last count in San Jose) or other favorite beer place for a drink or two can be a fun, tasty event in and of itself, especially if you go with others and/or visit during peak business hours. That said, below is a roundup of some of the planned and organized local beer events taking place the rest of December, providing additional training opportunities in advance of next month’s SF Beer Week (Jan. 22–31, 2016) and the hundreds of beer-related events that will eventually take place throughout the South Bay region.

Wed., Dec. 9

Hermitage Brewing Company (1627 S. 7th St., San Jose), starting at 4pm: Hermitage will release their newest Single Hop Series IPA – Green Bullet, coming in at 7%ABV and 70 IBUs. Below are the Brewer’s Notes:

Green Bullet hops come to us from New Zealand and are the result of open cross-pollination of the New Zealand “Smoothcone” variety. They are typically used as a bittering hop in lagers and stouts, but we have never let such labels get in the way of the Single Hop Series. The aroma is slightly sweet and very green, displaying a pleasant “hoppiness” that reminds us of European Noble varieties. Those characteristics carry over strongly to the flavor with a huge grassy, spicy, classic “hoppy” profile that takes you back to the days before hop flowers tasted like tropical fruit. The finish is smooth and dry, and leaves just a hint of that hoppy character on the palate. This hop definitely lives up to its name. Pair with spicy Thai curry or grilled seafood.

Thurs., Dec. 10

Harry’s Hofbrau (390 Saratoga Ave., San Jose), starting at 6pm: “8 Bridges Russian Hill Release” – Once a year, Eight Bridges Brewery from Livermore releases their 10% Russian Imperial Stout aged in Jack Daniels barrels. Also on tap will be Belgian IPA (loads of Citra hops melded with light Belgian character), Big Citrusy DIPA, award-winning Stout and more.

Fri., Dec. 11

Original Gravity Public House (66 S. 1st St., San Jose), 6pm-11:45pm: “Calicraft Grizz, Buzzerkeley Red and Harvest Sparkling Ale Release” – Join Original Gravity as Calicraft owner/head brewer Blaine Landberg will be in house to talk you through these three new offerings. Buzzerkeley, Cali Coast, The City and Oaktown Brown will also be on tap.

Sat., Dec. 12

Beer Snobiety Toy Drive at Stuft Pizza (1426 Dempsey Rd., Milpitas), 4:30pm-9pm: Join Beer Snobiety for their Holiday Toy Drive at Stuft Pizza, home to 30 plus dedicated craft beer taps and 24 flat screens. Beer Snobiety will give away one free glass (while supplies last) for every toy donated and a raffle ticket for giveaways generously donated by local businesses. Beer Snobiety will also unveil their winter collection with a new hoodie, long sleeve shirt and a new beanie.

Sun., Dec. 13

San Pedro Square Market (87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose), 11am-4pm: “The Ultimate Ballast Point Takeover” is the last beer bash this year at San Pedro Square Market and will feature over 20 Ballast Point beers, including Sculpin IPA and its many variants and two “dueling” casks, as well as Ballast Point spirits. The two casks include Victory at Sea Oreo Cask (brewed with Oreo cookies) and Victory at Sea Samoa Cask (brewed with Samoa girl scout cookies). Market Beer Company will pour Boob Check Awareness Ale, Dorado DIPA with Watermelon, Barmy Ale, Navigator Dopplebock, Homework Series Batch #6, Sour Wench Blackberry Ale, Creamsicle Fathom and Rum Barrel Aged Victory at Sea.

Thurs., Dec. 17

Harry’s Hofbrau (390 Saratoga Ave., San Jose), starting at 6pm: “Clown Shoes Barrel-Aged Beer Night” – Featured beers include Flight of the Angry Beast (a blend of three barrel-aged beers), Rexx Imperial Red aged in Four Roses and Heaven Hill barrels and more.

Original Gravity Public House (66 S. 1st St., San Jose), 6pm-11:45pm: “Uinta Crooked Line and More” – Original Gravity welcomes back Uinta Brewing Company and will feature ten offerings focused on their Crooked Line as well as other seasonal offerings.

Sat., Dec. 19

ISO:beers (75 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose) and The Beer Heads Toy Drive, 5pm-9pm: Each unwrapped toy earns a raffle ticket towards giveways (beer, gift cards, glassware, etc.). Raffle winners will be announced at 9:30pm. Show your raffle ticket throughout the night for $1 off draft beers.

Trail Dust BBQ (17240 Monterey St., Morgan Hill), starting at 2pm: Trail Dust BBQ hosts a “Funk N Dank X-Mas with The Rare Barrel and Sante Adairius” and welcomes the founders of The Rare Barrel (Alex Wallash and Jay Goodwin) and Sante Adairius (Adair Paterno). Trail Dust will pour five kegs each from The Rare Barrel and SARA, including the following beers:

 Dubious Nights – dark sour aged in tequila barrels (not yet released, only keg of this leaving the brewery); 
Map of the Sun – golden with apricots; 
Positive Valence – golden with orange peel and lemon peel; 
Sourtooth Tiger – golden with ginger
; Feed The Monster – golden with blueberries (last Ambassadors of Sour release of the year, only keg of this leaving the brewery); 
Saison Bernice – farmhouse ale
; Appreciation – barrel-aged farmhouse ale fermented with boysenberries and our resident funk
; 831 IPA; and more.

Each guest who purchases a commemorative glass will receive discounted pours for the day.

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]