This Weekend: Battle of the Brews

What would you say if I told you that you could raise a brew and help a child? Now that’s a true win-win situation. The good news is that this can be a reality this weekend.

The Battle of the Brews, now in its 19th year, takes place this Saturday, March 28 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds’ Grace Pavilion. The Craft Brew Cup and ‘Wich Hunt, which features the most delicious sandwiches from local chefs, runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while the main event takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The taps will be turned off at 7 p.m., so plan ahead!

More than 60 breweries will battle it out in the Craft Cup, a judged specialty craft brew competition that encompasses a wide range of premier microbreweries from across the country. What’s more, all proceeds go directly to helping needy children in Sonoma County.

Tickets range from $40 to $95. The cost is $40 for the Main Event, while the Craft Cup tickets are $95. The all-access $95 tickets include:

· Tasting of all Craft Cup competing brews starting at 1 p.m.

· Tasting of all ‘Wich Hunt competing dishes starting at 1 p.m.

· Live jazz during both events

· Live demonstrations by vendors

· One entry in the Craft Cup raffle

· Access to the Main Event.

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds are located at 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa, an hour’s drive north on the 101 freeway from San Francisco. If you’re a beer lover, you know that you’re willing to travel much further than that for a good brew.

Dreaming of San Francisco? Cece Blase offers local advice to San Francisco buyers, sellers and owners– and feeds the dreams of those who wish they could live in Tony Bennett’s ‘City by the Bay.’ Call 415-577-0809 or email cblase@paragon-re.com. www.ceceblase.com