If LA Beer Week seems to have suddenly appeared on your radar—don't worry, you're not drunk. The annual festival is taking place a full three months earlier than last year, in breweries and bars across the city from June 20-28. This Friday, April 3, Early Bird tickets for the June 20 kickoff party will go on sale at noon: $40 for General Admission (which includes 25 drink tickets); VIP for $65 (one hour of early admission that doesn't require drink tickets). Can't snag an Early Bird ticket in time? GA tickets will also go on sale on May 1 for $45, while VIP tickets will stay at $65.
The kickoff festival will be held on the south lawn of Exposition Park, a decidedly larger venue than last year to accommodate a bigger crowd and more entertainment: two stages featuring live music and educational panels, a VIP tent pouring specialty beers, games, a photobooth, and more food and beer selections. Over 70 breweries will be in attendance, and you can expect to see a lot of your local favorites—Highland Park Brewery, Smog City, El Segundo Brewing and more. And you can totally steal your glass because, uh, it comes with your admission ticket.
A full list of events during the seven-day festival has yet to come out, but here are a few events officially on the books:
June 22: Pink Boots LA Takeover at Three Weavers Brewing
June 23: Eagle Rock Brewery's Battle of the Bands at The Echo (let's hope the brewery brings back their Brewer's Brunch, too!)
June 24: Meeting of the Guilds at Naja's Place
We'll keep you updated as the event list rolls out, but for now you can snag a ticket here, track #LABW7 on Instagram and Twitter, and start preparing your liver by visiting some of the best beer bars in LA.