SF Beer Week on the cheap

Navigating beer week is tougher when money is tight, because doing everything on Planet Earth is tougher when money is tight, but there is still fun to be had. If you find yourself spending more than you planned every beer week, or sit it out entirely for fear of going broke, read on. Beer is for everyone, or at least it should be.

Find pay-as-you-go events
There are a lot of bars with tap takeovers, meet-the-brewer nights, Strong Beer Month line-ups, and other shenanigans that don’t require an up-front fee. Paying only for the beers you drink makes SF Beer Week no pricier than your average night at a bar. Assuming you’re at a reasonably-priced establishment and don’t drink 7 beers a night, it’s probably cheaper per night than most of your other options (festivals, beer dinners, guided tastings, etc.)

Use cash to better keep track of what you’re spending. If you’re really weak, bring only the cash you’re willing to spend that night and leave your credit cards at home (or hang out at cash-only bars). Do not, however, economize at the expense of the people serving you. If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to drink at bars. $1 per drink is standard in this part of the world. Be frugal, not rude.

BYO Food
Definitely eat, because substituting beer for meals is not remotely a good idea, but don’t necessarily eat restaurant/pub food at the place where you’re drinking. Eat at home first, make a sandwich and bring it with you, grab something pre-fab from Trader Joe’s, always have a banh mi in your bag…there are a lot of ways to ingest daily beer mops without spending much. Of course, if you’re hanging out at a place that also serves food, take your brown bag outside in the name of being polite and not getting kicked out.

If you want to go to one beer dinner, look through the SF Beer Week schedule for ones that seem like good value. The paella-fest at Thirsty Bear is $35 (cheap by local beer dinner standards) and includes entertainment, and the $45 Pyramid dinner comes with a growler fill. I’m not saying those $75-and-up dinners aren’t going to be amazing and delicious, but they’re not the only game in town.

Maybe skip the festivals?
Events with a fee to get in are not always the best monetary value, especially if they are based on drink tickets. Festivals with unlimited pours sound better but can be hazardous for a beer-loving penny-pincher — trust that trying to “get your money’s worth” by binge-drinking four-ounce pours like a mofo will not end well.

If you’re on a budget but have a little room for splurging, maybe choose one festival with a theme that appeals to you, be it an overview like the SF Beer Week opening celebration or a style-based tasting like the Bistro Double IPA fest or Triple Rock Sour Sunday.

Stay local
Yes, beer made down the street will generally be less expensive than some rarity from Europe, but right now we’re talking geography. Staying close to home saves you money on gas if you’re driving and public transit costs if you’re not. If you live walking or biking distance to a sweet beer spot, lucky you.

This is where I have to point out that if you do overdo it, taking a cab and coming back for your car in the morning is not cheap, but neither is wrecking your car or getting a DUI.

Don’t feel left out
For what seems like the whole month of February, the Internet is going to be full of people talking about events whose pricetags you can’t or won’t justify. Repeat after me: “It’s impossible to try every beer.” It’s my mantra, really. No matter how much money you have, you will still not try every beer or attend every event, any more than you will read every book ever written or visit every city in the world. Life’s just too short. Enjoy where you are and don’t worry about it. Make a short wishlist if you must, but remember no one gets to taste everything.

Coming next week: a splash-out guide for those of you who didn’t understand this post.

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