Spring in San Francisco means towering Easter Bonnets in Dolores Park, trashed Big Wheels on Potrero Hill, and the advent of the beer festival season.

This past weekend, I bought a growler of Magnolia's Blue Bell Bitter at Bi-Rite Market. Once my 64 ounce swing-top glass jug is empty, I'd like to be able to refill it at say, Social Kitchen & Brewery or 21st Amendment Brewery. And although I haven’t been able to do so previously, I now could because California's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations no longer prohibit beer manufacturers from filling growlers they didn't originally sell.

The largest concentration of beer events ever held in the Bay Area kicks off this Friday at the San Francisco Beer Week Opening Celebration in the Concourse Exhibition Center. The premier event gets the week flowing with beers from 78 brewers, local artisan food vendors and several bands. If you go to only one event for Beer Week, this should be it.

If you're thirsty for more, here are some other choice options:

Winter warmer beers are often dark, rich and spicy. But if you’re looking for a hoppier alternative that still has a traditional wintery spice bite, rye beers may be a seasonal hybrid that fits the bill.