A dozen don't-miss Sacramento Beer Week events

Sacramento's 11-day-long celebration of its precious, effervescent nectar of course results in more than 400 events around town. Yikes—talk about overwhelming. There are obvious highlights: the Sacramento Brewers Showcase on opening night, featuring 27 local breweries; and the grand finale, Capitol Beer Fest, brings more than 100 breweries to the Capitol Mall. But what else? Such decisions can be a serious buzzkill, so allow us to make life easier. In chronological order, here are a dozen picks to ensure a well-earned hangover.

Start off the week right at LowBrau’s Dark & Sour night for a most impressive lineup. The dark side includes Deschutes Brewery’s Black Butte XXV, a 25th-anniversary reserve brew, and Væsal Brunch, a blend of two imperial stouts from Amager Bryghus and Mikkeller. On the sour side, look forward to Almanac Beer Company’s Sourdough Wild Ale and Bourbon Sour Porter. 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 27; 1050 20th Street, (916) 706-2636, www.lowbrausacramento.com.

Unusual brews can be had all week long at Track 7 Brewing Co., but head to the taproom this Friday for three special releases: Friendly Fire, an English barleywine brewed in collaboration with Device Brewing Co.; a Beer Week IPA; and a white stout. 3 p.m. on Friday, February 28; 3747 W. Pacific Avenue, Suite F; (916) 520-4677; www.track7brewing.com.

A number of bars are dedicating a night to Sacramento’s own talent, but Local Brewers Night at Final Gravity rises to the top. The brewers behind Auburn Alehouse, Track 7, American River Brewing Company, Berryessa Brewing Co., Loomis Basin Brewing Company, Knee Deep Brewing Co., Out of Bounds Brewing Company, Device Brewing and Mraz Brewing Company will all be present, touting three beers apiece. 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1; 9205 Sierra College Boulevard, Suite 100 in Roseville; (916) 782-1166; www.finalgravitybeer.com.

How does a chili-milk stout sound? Or a cocoa-nib, orange-peel stout? Or perhaps one with bourbon is more your speed? Try ’em all, side by side at Bike Dog Brewing Company, as the brewers take its milk stout and flavor it eight different ways. 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1; 2534 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 110 in West Sacramento; (916) 432-3376; www.bikedogbrewing.com.

Head over to Samuel Horne’s Tavern for the super popular—and fifth annual—Funk & Sour Festival. The bar’s 16 taps will give way to wild-yeast beers, and folks can work through them all—one flight of four tasters at a time. 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 1; 719 Sutter Street in Folsom, (916) 293-8207, www.samhornes.com.

Shack Fest at The Shack is renowned for good reason: unlimited pours from 14 (mostly) local breweries, food and live music, all for a mere $30. The chaos takes place on the back patio. I can feel my beer belly already. 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 2; 5201 Folsom Boulevard; (916) 457-5997; www.eastsacshack.com.

The only thing Sacramentans might love as much as beer is pork. Head to Ten22 for an oh-so succulent pig roast. A $25 ticket gets you unlimited access to the “pig bar” and two beers from the Bay Area’s High Water Brewing or Bison Brewing Company. 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4; 1022 Second Street, (916) 852-2770, www.ten22oldsac.com.

Last year, Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine’s Billy Ngo invaded Pangaea Two Brews Cafe for a little sushi-beer action. This time around, Ngo joins Pangaea chef Robb Venditti for an evening of sushi and steak, appropriately paired with Hitachino Nest beers. 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4; 2743 Franklin Boulevard, (916) 454-4942, www.pangaeatwobrews.com.

To celebrate Hops to Table magazine’s birthday, Capitol Beer and Tap Room is throwing a party with some notably rare, highly rated and highly alcoholic brews. Among them: Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout, Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Sucaba, and Hangar 24 Craft Brewery’s Pugachev’s Cobra. 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7; 2222 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-1745, www.capitolbeer.com.

This could be the very first Mikkeller tap takeover in Sacramento. Hot City Pizza will tap six to eight of the Danish phantom brewery’s beautiful, bizarre kegs, which will surely go fast. And combined with homebrewing tips from Gold Country Brewers Association representatives, the event promises to be a very geeky all-day affair. 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8; 5642 J Street, (916) 731-8888, www.hotcity-pizza.com.

If you’re totally sick of beer by the second Saturday, consider ordering some whiskey at Tank House BBQ and Bar. Paired with beer. More specifically, Out of Bounds Brewing pints with shots of High West Whiskey, with a special dish courtesy of the barbecue masters to boot. 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8; 1925 J Street, (916) 431-7199, www.tankhousebbq.com.

Close out Beer Week strong—like, barleywine strong—at Boneshaker Public House. So far, 15 kegs of potentially 13-percent alcohol brews have been secured for the barleywine fest. Please find a designated driver for this one, kids. 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 9; 2168 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 104 in Rocklin; (916) 259-2337; www.boneshakerpub.com.