Weekend Planner: Beer Olympics, The Underground Market Returns and More

By Meesha Halm

There's plenty to do this week in the Bay Area, and just like in the Olympic Village, lots of it revolves around drinking.

DRINK THIS

Beer Olympics at Fort Mason (Saturday) 

Let Michael Phelps go for the gold, beer lovers will be reaching for the amber at the Beer Olympics, a Fort Mason brewfest happening just hours before the broadcast of the opening ceremonies in London. Note: this is not a competition, they won’t be screening the London festivities and there’s no advanced training necessary, though overachievers can show up an hour early for the VIP drinking hour. Oh, and did we mention that costumes (Olympian or otherwise) are encouraged? (Saturday 3-6 PM at Fort Mason Center Building A, general admission tickets are $40, $50 for VIP entry (2 PM), admission includes unlimited beer with food sold separately. Info and tickets available online.)

Bier Sommer Movie Theater and Biergarten at The San Francisco Art Institute (Friday and Saturday)

Beer gets all arty and philosophical and stuff at this two-day art-and-beer slam at the Russian Hill campus of the San Francisco Institute where pointy heads will explore beer gardens in the broader context of consumer and spectator culture. Activities include movie screenings, readings, beer coaster designed by artists and yes, copious amount of suds from Hofbräuhaus Traunstein, one of the oldest breweries in Germany (Friday and Saturday 3-9 PM, admission is free to enter but you must register in advanced; beer and food will be available for purchase, 800 Chestnut St).


EAT THIS 

Off The Grid Fort Mason (Friday)

You know the drill by now but it never gets old. Off the Grid Friday nights at Fort Mason. 30 plus food trucks and tents. Full bar. Live music. And if the weather cooperates, a perfect way to ring in the weekend. Tons of covered tents if the weather doesn’t (Friday 5-10 PM, Fort Mason Center).

The Underground Market (Saturday) 

Iso Rabin’s not so underground market comes back with a vengeance this Saturday at the Pubic Works where he and his merry band of artisanal food purveyors, musicians and DJS will converge. Rice Paper Scissors, which seems to be popping up everywhere these days, will also be in the house (Saturday 6- 10 PM, Admission is $5, all items sold separately, Public Works 161 Erie St).

MAKE THIS 

Make-Your-Own-Ice-Cream Kid’s Day at Paxton Gate (Saturday) 

Paxton Gate is best known in the restaurant world for its funky landscapes and design (they’re behind the cool patio at Central Kitchen and the curio-laden bathroom at Flour +Water.) But this weekend, they’ll be shaking things up at their Mission Curiosities For Kids shop and leading a free hands-on class on the science behind ice cream. (Saturday 1-3PM, free and geared towards kids but their grown ups are welcome, eating your results is strongly encouraged, 766 Valencia St).