It’s old news that the San Diego History Center loves beer. On Feb. 18, the Balboa Park institution will host its third annual “Taste of San Diego Craft Brews” fundraiser.

 

Besides owning a rich selection of photos and documents charting the area’s malt-and-hops heritage, the center follows the current beer scene. The event will feature food paired with brews from both the downtown and La Jolla Rock Bottoms; Karl Strauss; Stone; Ballast Point; AleSmith; and Port Brewing/Lost Abbey.

 

The keynote speech, “The Year in Beer,” will be delivered by Marty Mendiola, brewmaster at Rock Bottom La Jolla and president of the San Diego Brewers Guild.

 

Tickets are $35 each, or $65 for VIP passes. The VIP session begins at 6 p.m., an hour early. The event will be held inside the center, 1649 El Prado Suite 3 (part of the Casa de Balboa in the heart of Balboa Park). Attendance will be capped at 250.

 

Last year’s party raised $14,000, which helped support the center’s programs for K-12 students.

Written by Peter Rowe