Weekend o’ beer

If Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about microbrews, Sacramento might just be the featured location.

In this capital city, it’s brewfest time somewhere. Whether it’s the Sacramento Turn Verein’s many versions of Oktoberfest throughout the year or the myriad microbrew gatherings during the summer, Sacramento is a prime location for any quality beer lover—as it should be. California, Oregon and Washington are like the Beer-muda Triangle of microbreweries. Though, it’d be a pleasant thing to disappear in a triangle of beer—and people will have their chance when two of the most awesome brewfests converge in Sactown this weekend.

The Raley Field Brew Fest will be Friday, May 14, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive in West Sacramento. Last year, the fest was held during the day, and it was quite claustrophobic, crammed onto the ball park’s mezzanine with people sweating out beer. Now, beerfest goers can load up on brews from a variety of local and regional microbreweries during sunset and then walk over to Old Sacramento for some bar hopping in the evening. General admission tickets allow for 10 5-ounce samplings of beer and VIP tickets allow for 18 5-ounce samples, plus an early tasting session. Make sure to show up early; many varieties run out quick.

Also make sure to save room for more beer at the 11th annual West Coast Brew Fest, which will be Saturday, May 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Miller Park, 2790 Marina View Drive. This event features more than 60 microbreweries from California, Washington and Oregon. Plus, it’s an unlimited microbrew tasting—well, until the beer runs out. General admission tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and includes a 5-ounce mug. The VIP ticket is $95, which includes an early entrance and a 12-ounce mug. There also will be live music and food.