Let’s be honest, Valentine’s Day is fake. Of course I don’t want to support corporate America by receiving flowers and chocolate and greeting cards that tell me I am loved. Of course I won’t be crying alone in the shower come Monday night. Clearly that’s why I will be making the most of this weekend. It’s another beautiful weekend in Southern California. Find something to do in this week’s edition of the Weekend, What Up!

Friday

  • Manhattan Beach’s Brewco kicks off the Black-Out Fest, a tapping of many many rare and delicious dark beers. Tapping continues until kegs run out. Open 11:30 AM, 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Manhattan Beach, 90266
  • The SF Brewers Guild Opening Gala signals the start of SF Beer Week. The marquee event promises brewmasters pouring unique beers, live music and food. Though currently sold out, they are trying to expand to let more folks in – Tickets $55. 5 – 9 PM. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Main Gallery Auditorium 701 Mission St. San Francisco 9413
  • Can’t make it to either event? Get to Hollywood for the Blue Palms SF Beer Week, featuring with beers from the north! Beginning Friday the taps will be pouring beers from Speakeasy, Mateveza, Lagunitas, Marin, Russian River (Pliny the Younger will be coming at a date TBD) Bear Republic and many more. Monitor their tap list to stay on top of the brews!
  • It’s ladies night at Chinatown’s Grand Star Jazz Club. Check out Soul Sessions for $3 drink deals and free admission ’til 11 PM (if you’re a lady). 9 PM – 2 AM. 943 Sun Mun Way, Los Angeles, 90012

Saturday

  • SF Beer Weeks second marquee event, the Double IPA Festival, will have 60+ kegs of heavy hop action for big beer fans. Pay per beer. 11 AM – 7 PM at The Bistro, 1001 B Street, Hayward 94541
  • Sit down with the Culinary Historians of Southern California for a talk all about Sriracha: The Story Behind the Addictively Spicy “Rooster Sauce” with Mr. Randy Clemens. It’s also another chance to grab a book and get it signed! Makes a great Valentine’s Day gift, at least we think so!
  • Have a Sweet Saturday with treats, nail art and tunes at Space 15 Twenty. Buy $30 worth of merchandise and you can get your nails did free. 1 – 4 PM, 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Hollywood 90028
  • Taste beer and wine at Vendome in Toluca Lake. From 2 – 5 PM enjoy 15 pours of Strong Ales for $15, then sample Red Zin and Syrah from 6 – 9 PM (usually $1 per pour). 10600 Riverside Dr. Toluca Lake, 91602

Sunday

  • Sidebar has you covered for your beer and chocolate needs. The Valentine Rendezvous for Him & Her features 6 pairings of Mignon Chocolates with Firestone Beers and Certified Cicerone Jace Milstead on hand to teach you all about the goodness of the brews. Tickets $28, and the money goes to  charity! 2 – 4 PM at SideBar, 1114 N Pacific Ave. Glendale 91202
  • Sit down at SF Beer Week’s Beerunch featuring Deschutes, Dogfish Head, Mateveza, Russian River and more of your favorite brews perfectly paired with seriously good eats. Admission $49. 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM at Public House, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francsico 94107
  • Happy Valentine’s Eve! Lost Abbey’s 2011 Red Poppy (that beer that scored 99 out of 100 in Draft Magazine for Flanders reds) will be released at the brewery for $15 a bottle (6 per person max!) 12 – 6 PM at 155 Mata Way #104, San Marcos 92069. I will accept this as a Valentine’s Day gift.
  • You can time travel this weekend at SF Beer Week’s Breweries of Tomorrow Nanobrewery Festival. Featuring 9 soon-to-be-breweries, Social Kitchen and Brewery will host the event featuring tasters, two draft pours and a keepsake glass for $15. 5 – 9 PM at 1326 9th Avenue, San Francisco 94122
  • If there’s a tear in your beer, cuz you’re crying for your dear, head to Eagle Rock Brewery for the Tears in Your Beers Beer Float event. Coolhaus will be on hand to provide the ice cream!

All Weekend Long, My Babies!

  • San Francsico Beer Week kicks off Friday! Marquee events this weekend include the SF Brewers Guild Opening Gala and the Double IPA Festival at The Bistro. There are too many events to count, but thanks to their awesome site and organization you can make yourself an itinerary! Check out the insanity and line up your debauchery at SFBeerWeek.org
  • Celebrate Chinese New Year in Chinatown with the Firecracker 5/10K and bike ride. Run around the hills of Elysian Park and get chased by dragons in one of our favorite races. Bike Saturday, run Sunday. Check site various times and registration costs. Chinatown: 988 N. Hill St. Los Angeles 90012
  • John Lithgow performs stories in Stories By Heart at the Mark Taper Forum. Tickets $50 – $70, afternoon and evening shows. 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, 90012
  • The 4th Annual Venice Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt is a different way to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend. Uncover secrets of Venice Beach with this biking scavenger hunt designed for teams of two. The hunt sold out early last year, so register your team today. February 12 and 13 at 11 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM. Costs $25 per person and bikes are available for rent.
  • The self-proclaimed Carrot Capital of the World will be wrapping up the 64th Annual Holtville Carrot Festival this weekend. Arts and craft fair, carrot parade, carnival, tractor and car show and free carrots at the chamber of commerce booth! There better be porta-potties. 3 – 11 PM Friday, 7 AM – 11 PM Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday.
  • The Japanese craft beer scene is flourishing and you can try five different brews this weekend. 55 Degree Wine hosts a Japanese Craft Brew tasting with Echigo Koshihikari Rice Lager, Tamano Megumi Bottle Conditioned Pale Ale, Echigo Premium Red Ale, Coedo Beniaka Premium Sweet Potato Lager and Iwategura Oyster Stout. $15 to taste all five beers. 3111 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039
  • Make yourself a better bouquet for Valentine’s Day! The L.A. Flower Mart has extended hours this weekend. Friday 6 AM – 2 PM $2 admission, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM $1 admission. 766 Wall St. Los Angeles 90014