It’s that time of year again: Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine’s annual Best in Beer survey is open for voting.

If you’ve been paying attention to what’s happening around the Bay Area, we’d encourage you to take a few minutes and cast your ballot.

Last year, Bay Area breweries showed up in a big way.

Four of the top 12 Small Regional Breweries in America were from our region. Plus, Emeryville's Wondrous made the national list of the 20 Best Small Breweries; Russian River once again topped the Midsize Brewery category, Alvarado Street’s Double Cone made the editors’ list of the 20 Best Beers of the year, and both Sante Adairius and Private Press were recognized among the country’s best producers of their respective styles.

By our tabulations, that means better than 10% of the country’s top breweries were concentrated here in the Bay Area.

And yet, when readers were asked to rank the country’s best beer scenes, the San Francisco Bay Area came in at #10.

Tenth. Behind both Portlands!

We have nothing against the nine places that finished ahead of us. But whether we are looking at competition medals, Untappd reviews, or general hype and recognition, it is clear the Bay Area needs to move up that list.

This is the place where modern American craft brewing was born. It is home to breweries producing some of the most technically accomplished and stylistically influential beer in the country. We have an extraordinary brewing history, a thriving contemporary scene, the only craft maltster in the state, a historic annual beer week that continues to thrive, and a drinking culture deeply intertwined with our world–renowned culinary and agricultural traditions.

Perceptions change themselves. We've spent much of this year working to shift the narrative around Bay Area beer, particularly in local food and culture media. When the world's great food and drink regions are discussed, beer deserves to be included. The Bay Area's story is incomplete without acknowledging the extraordinary beer being produced here.

Proper recognition from publications like Craft Beer & Brewing is just the start. So, if you have a favorite Bay Area brewery, beer, beer bar, or beer city, tell them.

Take the survey. Vote for the breweries and the beers that have delighted you over the past year. And if you agree with us that the Bay Area deserves better than #10, well...

Here's your chance to do something about it.

VOTE IN THE 2026 BEST IN BEER SURVEY

The survey closes Friday, September 18, at midnight.

The survey takes about 12 minutes to complete, though you can answer as many or as few questions as you'd like. Just make sure you hit Submit at the end for your votes to count.

And every vote helps tell the rest of the country what those of us who live here already know: The Bay Area is one of America's great beer regions.

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🍻 Upcoming Events Featuring Our Member Breweries

🎉 Public Events This Week! See last week's long-form guide to upcoming Oktoberfest events here.

Wednesday, 9/16—Chef's Table at Del Cielo!
(Livermore, CA | 6:30-8:30 PM)
Del Cielo presents an exclusive Beer & Food Pairing to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. An intimate, multi-course beer dinner featuring the vibrant flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine.
Tickets and More Info –> Chef's Table Dinner in Livermore!

Saturday, 9/19—Oktoberfest at Temescal Brewing!
(Oakland, CA | Noon)
Temescal's annual Oktoberfest celebration brings limited German-style lagers, collectible glassware, DJs, and a classic stein-holding competition to Telegraph Avenue.
More Info –> Oktoberfest in Oakland!

Saturday, 9/19—Rocktoberfest at Headyworks!
(Livermore, CA | Noon - 9 PM)
Live music all day, authentic German grub, special brews on tap, and a limited-edition stein for sale.
More Info & Pre-orders –> Rocktoberfest in Livermore!

Saturday, 9/19—Oktoberfest at Altamont Beer Works!
(Livermore, CA | Noon - 6 PM)
DJs all-day, special food vendors, Festbier, and more!
More Info –> Oktoberfest in Livermore!

Saturday, 9/19—Oktoberfest at San Francisco Brewing!
(San Francisco, CA | Noon - 5 PM)
San Francisco Brewing brings Oktoberfest to Ghirardelli Square with a traditional Bavarian keg tapping, German food specials, custom steins, and live Polka!
Tickets and More Info –> Oktoberfest in SF!

Saturday, 9/19—Spooktoberfest at HenHouse Brewing!
(Petaluma, CA | Noon - 8PM)
A shockingly haunted Oktoberfest party at HenHouse's Petaluma Tasting Room to celebrate the release of "Wedding of the Century" Fest Lager. Expect, a special Oktoberfest menu, the debut of a Halloween makeover for the tasting room itself, and a Stein-Holding Contest with spooky prizes!
More Info –> Spooktoberfest in Petaluma!

Saturday, 9/19—It's The Malt - Craft Malt Festival at Admiral Maltings!
(Alameda, CA | 1 PM-5 PM)
Admiral Maltings' third annual celebration of artisan beer, American Single Malt whiskey, floor-malting, and California grown grains.
Tickets and More Info –> It's The Malt 2026!

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📅 Save the Dates

Friday, 9/25—Julio Bravo live at Del Cielo!
(Martinez, CA | 6:30 PM- 9:30 PM)
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Del Cielo has put together a night of LIVE SALSA with Julio Bravo! General Admission is free!
VIP Tables and More Info –>  Live Salsa Music and Dancing in Martinez!

Saturday, 9/26—Oktoberfest at Epidemic Ales!
(Concord, CA | Noon-10PM)
Epidemic Ales is celebrating with a triple Oktoberfest beer release, a ceremonial keg tapping with the Mayor of Concord, limited-edition 2026 steins, giant turkey legs, German food, and karaoke!
Tickets and More Info –> Oktoberfest in Concord!

Saturday, 9/26—Five-Year Anniversary Party at CUVER Brewing!
(Windsor, CA | Noon-8 PM)
Enjoy a Belgian-inspired menu from Lila's Streetside Eats, live music by The Rhythm Drivers Band, and an Anniversary Sale of 20% OFF 2+ PACKS* offered all week long.
More Info –> Anniversary Party in Windsor!

Saturday, 9/26—"Show Us Your Stein!" at Enterprise Brewing!
(San Francisco, CA | 1 PM)
Dust off your steins and bring em to Enterprise! Bring your stein, don your hosen, and share your stories. $10 liter fills of Enterprise's own Festbier.

Saturday, 9/27—Oyster Oktoberfest at Humble Sea!
(Alameda, CA | Noon- 5 PM)
Oyster shuckers, live sea shanties, food, drinks, local vendors, tattoos, crafts, and a whole lotta beer for!
More Info —> Oyster Oktoberfest in Alameda

Saturday, 10/3—Oktoberfest Block Party at Fifty Vara Brewing!
(San Francisco, CA | Noon- 6 PM)
Fifty Vara is shutting down Noriega St. for a big Oktoberfest bash that is the centerpiece of their weekend-long celebration. Expect fresh beer and local food, live music, family entertainment, makers, and neighborhood merchants.

Saturday, 10/3—Oktoberfest at Hop Oast Brewing!
(San Francisco, CA | 3 PM- 9 PM)
The official release of Hop Oast's Hammerschlager plus house-made colossal pretzels!

Sunday, 10/4—Barks, Boos & Brews at Drake's Barrel House!
(San Leandro, CA | Noon- 5 PM)
A Halloween hangout built for the whole family, pups included. Come in costume, spend the afternoon with fellow dog people and support a great cause!
RSVP & More Info —> Dog-Friendly Halloween Party in San Leandro!

Thursday, 10/8—Geektoberfest at The Tech Interactive Museum!
(San Jose, CA| 7 PM -11 PM)
Beer meets science at The Tech Interactive's adults-only Tech at Nite: Geektoberfest. Several Bay Area Brewers Guild member breweries will be pouring as part of the celebration, which includes not only a bunch of delicious local beer, but also access to all of the museum's incredible programming!
Tickets and More Info –> Geektoberfest in San Jose. - Look out for a Brew Deck Subscriber discount this week!