Beer festival to raise money for cancer charities
By Kai Oliver-Kurtin
The 21st annual San Diego Festival of Beer is expected to draw about 4,000 people to Broadway Pier on Sept. 18. Guests will enjoy unlimited tastings from nearly 60 breweries serving 120 different kinds of brew, as well as live music and food for purchase. Benefitting the San Diego Professionals Against Cancer (SDPAC) organization to support local cancer charities, the event is staffed completely by volunteers.
For its first fundraising event in 1993, SDPAC members asked some of their friends at local breweries to donate beer for the inaugural San Diego Festival of Beer. The craft beer movement hadn’t fully taken off yet, so they were unsure what the interest level would be. Seven hundred guests attended the festival that year — and since then, the festival has continued to grow, and with the popularity of craft beer today, the event normally sells out.
“The brewery community comes together for the cause without any question,” said Carri Chandler, president of SDPAC. “We invite all breweries to help in the fight against cancer.”
To celebrate its 21st year, the San Diego Festival of Beer is offering free admission to San Diego residents who share their same 21st birthday. With valid ID, those born on Sept. 18, 1994, will receive a complimentary ticket to the festival.
The first 1,500 guests to arrive will receive a free souvenir tasting mug to use for their two-ounce samples.
For those who don’t enjoy beer, cider or mead, there will be wine available for purchase. Food trucks and restaurant vendors such as Barleymash and Hunter Steakhouse will be on hand to sell food, and live music will be provided by bands, disc jockeys, and radio station sponsors.
For the second year, the festival is soliciting artwork submissions for its T-shirt design contest. The winning design will be printed on shirts sold during the festival.
To date, SDPAC has raised over $555,000 for cancer charities. Having a volunteer festival staff of 300 people allows SDPAC to donate all proceeds directly to their cause.
“We have donated to Cancer Angels of San Diego, Emilio Nares Foundation, Rady Children’s Hospital, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, and other local cancer affiliates to support tangible assets for cancer research and treatment,” Chandler said.
Tickets to the San Diego Festival of Beer cost $50, and the event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Broadway Pier is located at 1000 N. Harbor Drive. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sdbeerfest.org.
—Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a local freelance writer. She enjoys covering events, restaurant news, culture and entertainment. Contact her at [email protected].
