American Craft Beer Week 2011 is upon us, and for the first time in its 6 years, all 50 states will host official events to toast the 1,700+ independent brewers in the country. It’s no secret that brewin’ ain’t easy, nor a goldmine of an industry to break into; brewing culture, like most artisinal trades, is comprised of dedicated craftsmen and women, people with a vision, many of whom traded in their corporate lives and paychecks to do what they love. For their passion and sacrifices, TapHunter.com will show its thanks to brewers in its founding city of San Diego throughout American Craft Beer Week 2011 (may 16th-22nd).

Starting Monday, May 16th through Friday, May 20th, TapHunter.com’s blog will feature several San Diego guest beer bloggers, each presenting a regional story that connects our local scene with the greater American craft beer movement. The evolution of the San Diego Brewer’s Guild and its game-changing San Diego Beer Week, San Diego’s regional influence on Mexico’s burgeoning craft beer culture, and a historical perspective on our local brewing culture’s past, present and future highlights just some of the content we’ll be pushing out next week; we’re hoping it excites you enough to finally vote San Diego Craft Beer City USA in 2012.

Our busy blogging week commences with TapHunter.com’s 2 year anniversary party at URBN Coal Fired Pizza on Friday, May 20th. With 350 RSVPs so far, an amazing beer lineup (think Ballast Point’s barrel aged Victory at Sea and Russian River’s Damnation to name a couple) and food specials, the night is a guaranteed must for local craft beer supporters to come out and mingle with the industry’s finest.

TAPHUNTER.COM IS MOST EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT 10% OF ALL ANNIVERSARY PARTY BAR SALES WILL BENEFIT THE SAN DIEGO BREWERS GUILD – THE HEART OF SAN DIEGO’S CRAFT BEER CULTURE. So come on out, pay thanks to URBN for their generous contributions and drink a lot of craft beer to support The Guild! RSVP here.

We hope you’re as ready as we are to celebrate American Craft Beer in San Diego. Subscribe to TapHunter.com’s blog to read the stories as they come, and follow us on Twitter for event coverage  and insider announcements all week long.