A traveling beer circus is coming to City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon

The championship finale of the Beer City Half Northern California Series will feature $5,000 in prize money and a full day of fresh beer in San Ramon on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Sunday’s festivities start early, as runners will take off at 8:30 a.m. to participate in a half marathon, 10K and a 5K along scenic routes around the 2.5-mile loop on Annabel Lake and parts of the 32-mile Iron Horse Trail.

The winner of the half marathon will receive something known as the Golden Growler. Runners will cross the finish line and head straight to the Beer City Festival, which calls itself a “traveling beer circus” that is spending the weekend in San Ramon showcasing the East Bay’s top craft beers, live music, games and food.

The celebration kicks off Saturday, Oct. 25, with the Load In pre-race party from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fieldworks Brewing featuring beer and live music from Radio Veloso.

The Beer City Half Marathon will bring runners along scenic routes near City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon (Photo courtesy of City Center Bishop Ranch).
The Beer City Half Marathon will bring runners along scenic routes near City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. (Courtesy of City Center Bishop Ranch) 

The classic combination of running and beer will continue with the races on Sunday morning, then a less formal run at 11 a.m. with the Beat the Beast beer mile challenge, where you have to drink four beers while running a mile.

In a wildly different, but perhaps equally chaotic event on the same grounds, the Howl-O-Ween party kicks off at 2 p.m. as pet owners will show off their furry friends dressed in Halloween costumes while they parade through Alexander Square.

This isn’t for dogs who are easily spooked, as the event will feature “haunted obstacle adventures,” a sniff patch and surely some amazing photo opportunities.

The festivities go until 5 p.m.

“City Center Bishop Ranch is designed to be a modern public square, where neighbors, families and friends come together,” said Jeff Dodd, senior vice president at Sunset Development. “Events like the Beer City Run and Howl-O-Ween remind us how much joy there is in gathering, celebrating and creating memories as a community.”

Details: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon; beercityfest.com

On Oct. 26, 2025, there will be a free "Howl-O-Ween Costumed Pet Parade" and a Beer City Festival at the City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, Calif. (City Center Bishop Ranch)
On Oct. 26, 2025, there will be a free “Howl-O-Ween Costumed Pet Parade” and a Beer City Festival at the City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. (Courtesy of City Center Bishop Ranch) 
(Visited 3 times, 2 visits today)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *