July is a time to celebrate our independence, but the fun times shouldn’t be relegated to the first weekend of the month. Especially not in San Diego County where dozens of top-notch local beer events lay sprawled out over the course of the month. Check out some of these all-‘Murican brewhahas then refer to our full list of local beer events.
July 8 | Hop-Con 3.0, The w00tstout Festival: Celebrating the annual release of a massive wheat, pecan, oak and bourbon fortified imperial stout collaboratively brewed at Stone Brewing Co. with Wil Wheaton and Drew Curtis, this event will feature that duo plus a slew of specialty beers and an on-site arcade bringing together geeks of the beer and traditional ilk. | Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station, 2816 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma, 8 p.m.
July 11 | Heroes Brew Craft Beer Festival: Ever wanted the thrill of sharing a pale with Punisher, dark ale with Darth Vader or witbier with Wonder Woman. Holy barley wine, Batman, at this festival, these sudsy scenarios can jump straight from the pages of your favorite comic books and into the real world when costume-clad imbibers blend childhood heroes with adult beverages. | The Loma Club, 2960 Truxton Road, Point Loma, 3 p.m.
July 11 & 12 | 2nd Anniversary Party: Even if you’re not a fan of a made-up vernacular including terms like cockstaggering (at least make it a hyphenate), there’s bound to be a brew that jibes with your sensibilities at Modern Times Beer’s two-year, two-day fiesta, which will include tappings of new, rare and one-off creations as well as (unlimited servings of) cold-brewed coffee. | Modern Times Beer, 3725 Greenwood Street, Lomaland, Times Vary
July 25 | Mike Hess Fest: There’s nothing like a block party, especially when it’s thrown by a brewery with five years of fermentation fete experience. For one fun-filled day, Mike Hess Brewing Company will take over a full block in North Park, inviting over brewing industry friends not only from San Diego County, but Arizona as well to celebrate a half-decade in the beer biz. | Mike Hess Brewing Company, 3812 Grim Avenue, North Park, 12:30 p.m.
July 25 | San Diego Craft Beer Fest: Win, place, show, trifectas, quinellas…these can be complicated to grasp, but thanks to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s dedication to the local brewery scene, getting a grasp of ales and lagers from throughout San Diego County will be easy during this fest featuring more than 100 beers plus food trucks, DJs and, oh yeah, horses. | Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, 2 p.m.