HOW DO YOU GREET... August, which, rumor has it, can be notoriously roasty and notoriously draggy-of-day and truly earns its "dog days of summer" label? Do you find a friend with a swimming pool? (Should've done that back in May.) Do you invest in one of those whirly caps that fits on a sprinkler, the better to cool down? (Even though the neighbors may cluck as you dash across the lawn, squealing, for the 38th time.) Or do you find a really nice craft beer event that's slated for the end of July and the first couple of days of August? Well, honestly: You probably do all three, if you can, but the craft beer part of the equation may be easier to enact. That's because Silicon Valley Beer Week makes it a snap for suds mavens to find excellent foams made in the region, find the other appreciators of ales and lagers to share 'em with, and find the food that those beers enhance. The week is ready to roll for its second annual outing from Friday, July 25 through Saturday, Aug. 2.
ON THE ROSTER: The Pizza & Beer pairing night at Oak & Rye is an obvious eye-catcher. A trio of brewmakers -- all local -- will pit a flagship beer and a specialty beer against a particular pie. Much chewing, sipping, eyebrow-raising, and pondering shall occur, and, above all else, eating/drinking enjoyment. That's on Saturday, July 26. And will there be a full-on Beerwalk on Santana Row, come July 30? There shall be. And will there be a look at some local hopsy history with Anchor Brewing? There will indeed. Think of it as a grown-up, beverage-admiring way to take on the sweatiest days of summer. Wouldn't you rather see a pint glass do some sweating for a change? Let Silicon Valley Beer Week and its brewistos lend a heat-cooling hand.
