Bit.ly/CBCAartwine
INTRO TO AMERICAN WHISKEY >> 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Elixir, 3200 16th St., San Francisco. Bourbon, rye, single malt, blended — what's the difference? How does American whiskey differ from other whiskies? And what's the difference between “whiskey” and “whisky”? Learn it all in a fun and interactive format from the experts at Elixir. $75; bit.ly/WhiskeyELIXIR
BAY AREA CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL >> 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Waterfront Park, 245 North Court St., Martinez. Gear up for the ultimate beer lover's paradise sampling sips from more than 40 local breweries, as well as home brews. $60; bit.ly/BayCraftBeerFest
MAD TEA PARTY >> 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. This adults-only, immersive Alice in Wonderland experience will be filled with fantasy, dance, live entertainment and special libations including the March Hare's Madness cocktail. $35; fairyland. org/events-and-performances/mad-tea/
BAY AREA BREW FEST >> 12 to 10 p.m. April 20, Presidio Main Lawn, San Francisco. The Bay Area Brew Festival returns with an extravaganza featuring more than 60 breweries, food trucks, DJs and more.
Admission includes unlimited beer samplings, with VIP attendees getting an extra hour with limited release beers. $50$90. bayareabrewfestival.com/
TASTE OF YOUNTVILLE >> 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 21, Chandon, 1 California Drive, Yountville. Enjoy an intimate food and wine tasting experience in the heart of Napa Valley featuring 14 tasting rooms and wineries and farm-to-table bites by the Chandon culinary team in a beautiful outdoor garden seating. $150 to $225. yountville.com/tasteofyountville/
CBCA CLAYTON ART & WINE FESTIVAL >> April 27-28, Main Street, Downtown Clayton. Browse arts and crafts stalls, sip wine or beer and sample the fare in the food court. There's a play zone for kids and live music and entertainment throughout the weekend. Free admission.
CABFRANC-A-PALOOZA >> May 3-5, Livermore venues. Cabernet franc lovers and wine producers are descending upon Livermore Valley for the second annual CabFranc-A-Palooza featuring more than 50 wineries, special events and tastings. $99 to $125. cabfrancapalooza.com/
SF BEER FEST >> 12 to 10 p.m. May 11, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. Head for Fort Mason to try the best beer in town, all under the same roof. Enjoy a vast selection of specially curated beers at this annual beer festival. $45-$65. bit.ly/SFBeerFest2024
ANDERSON VALLEY PINOT NOIR FESTIVAL >> May 17-19, Anderson Valley venues. This region of Mendocino County is known for its pinot noir. Sample those famous wines and enjoy food pairings, educational seminars, a sunset barbecue, a grand tasting and a VIP Bubble Lounge. $75-$500. bit. ly/AVPNF2024
SUN, WIND & WINE FESTIVAL >> 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 18, 1290 River Road, Salinas. The 16th annual fest includes a strolling wine tasting through the barrel cellar of Mer Soleil Winery, which is not normally open to the public. Festival guests will enjoy limited-release Santa Lucia Highlands wines poured by the vintners themselves, plus live music and gourmet bites. $149 to $199. santaluciahighlands. com/events/wine-festival/