The October tasting event I'm super-stoked for . . . LA Beer Week!

Allagash Curieux and Brother David's Triple Abbey Ale from Golden State

While most foodies I know are plotting their schedules around the DineLA restaurant weeks (which, I admit, is a good incentive to check out some "outside the comfort zone" eateries at a discount,) I personally am way more excited (and practically salivating) over the more grassroots 1st LA Beer Week (hopefully the the first of many to come.) Organized by pub owners, brewers and beer enthusiasts all over L.A. and O.C., the 11-day palooza (Oct. 15-25, though there are some outlier events starting as early as Oct. 6) spans across the entire city, with festivities taking place from Naja's Place in Redondo Beach to The Back Abbey out in Claremont, even diving south to Seal Beach's Beachwood BBQ.

With over 20 events (and more in the works) there's bound to be something that pique every beer snob aficionado's interest -- whether it's a Chimay-paired dinner at BOHO with the brewer who flew in from Belgium (along with a rare vintage brew to taste), or the release of Shmaltz's Freaktoberfest beer (a blood-red lager with 6 malts, 6 hops, brewed to 6.66% alcohol-by-volume) at The Otheroom in Venice or a curiosity-brewing molecular beer dinner with The Bruery at Beachwood BBQ. Even for those who are barely dipping their toes and are still learning and feeling their way through the world of beer, there are more educational, introductory going-ons like the Beer & Cheese 101 tasting & pairing seminar at Pasadena's Arroyo Whole Foods megaplex.

Of course, if there's only ONE event that you can go to -- I'd definitely recommend the Oct. 24 LA Beer Week festival at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. For $40pp, you can taste over 80 brews (unlimited 4 oz. pours, at least until the taps run dry) from nearly 40 craft brewers around the globe. From local heroes like Craftsman and Green Flash (and even the highly anticipated Eagle Rock Brewery) to noteworthy out-of-towners like Allagash, Unibroue and Duvel -- it's an excellent way to sample many different beers and maybe find a new favorite to order and buy. Patina Group will also be there to provide snacks and apps to help you wash down and soak up all that beer (additional, more substantial food will also be available for purchase.)

Finally, for those that are mindful of their budget (like I am this month with my dine-out dieting), you can always sign up to be a volunteer. While you won't be able to drink at the Festival, it does get you into the exclusive Oct. 25 volunteers-and-brewers only BBQ, where I am sure plenty of beers will be a-flowing too.

For details and latest updates, check out their web site here. Hope to see you at one or more of these events!