SYV Craft Beer Week is May 12-20, 2012

Enjoy Santa Ynez Valley Beer Events during American Craft Beer Week

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Ca., April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The craft beer movement is rising and it has taken the Santa Ynez Valley by storm.  Residents and visitors alike are enjoying new breweries and beer tasting venues throughout the towns of Buellton, Ballard, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang.

For the first time, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley will be hosting Santa Ynez Valley Craft Beer Week from May 12-20th during American Craft Beer Week (www.craftbeer.com).  Craft Beer lovers can delight in all-things beer with special beer tasting flights, a beer festival, educational classes, dinners and more.

The week kicks off with the Buellton Brew Fest on Saturday, May 12th from noon to 4 p.m. in Buellton's Riverview Park featuring nearly 30 breweries (www.buelltonbrewfest.com).  Throughout the week both Wandering Dog Wine Bar and Bin 2860 will be hosting craft beer classes with topics ranging from ales vs. lagers to types of IPAs and home brewing basics plus a Cicerone Certified Beer Server Prep Class.  Demonstrations will be held at the valley's brand new home beer (plus wine and cheese) making store called Valley Brewers in Solvang.  On Thursday, May 17th both wine and beer lovers can test their taste buds with the Figueroa Mountain Brewery Beer vs. Santa Barbara County Wine dinner at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe.  Attendees will try a beer and wine with each course and decide which one they prefer.

Craft beer and cheese pairings can be enjoyed at Wandering Dog Wine Bar or pair a local beer with dinner at Firestone Taproom or Solvang Brewing Company.  If you haven't experienced Figueroa Mountain Brewery, the fastest growing brewery in the area, sample a flight at their Buellton location or in Solvang at either Randy's Taproom inside C&R Imports or down the street at Valley Vino Wine Bar & Merchant.  For those craft beer drinkers that think they've tried it all, Bin 2860 in Los Olivos will be opening up a bottle of each beer in the store throughout SYV Craft Beer Week.  With well over 100 beers for sale, even the pickiest beer drinker can find a craft beer to savor.

With so many events to choose from, craft beer lovers can delight in a full week of events.  During the other 51 weeks of the year, why not plan your own Craft Beer trip throughout the Santa Ynez Valley with the brand new SYV Beer Trail Map debuting in time for Craft Beer Week.  Grab a printed version at any valley brewery or find a printable map by visiting www.syvbeer.com.  More information on SYV Craft Beer Week events and the Santa Ynez Valley can be found at www.visitthesantaynezvalley.com.

PUBLIC INFO: 805-686-0053 or 1-800-742-2843; www.VisitTheSantaYnezValley.com

SOURCE Visit the Santa Ynez Valley