California Rum Fes - Congress 2026 - San Francisco / Bay Area
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About this event
TheRumLab.com is pleased to announce the 11th California Rum Fest: Congress 2026 - San Francisco/Bay Area. The boutique-style event will highlight a few brands who prioritize education and premiumization in the rum market.
Join us at Trader Vic's Emeryville on September 19th and 20th, 2026.
The United States is often regarded as one of the most important countries in the global rum industry. Before the American Revolution, rum was the most popular liquor, and now there is a resurgence. California is one of the main consumer markets for rum in the United States.
The RumLab team produces the Puerto Rico Rum Fest "Taste of Rum," California, the Chicago Rum Festival, the New York Rum Fest & Conference, and the Miami Rum Congress. All events draw hundreds of participants, including tradespeople, rum enthusiasts, tourists, and residents.
SCHEDULE
Currently, the California Rum Fest & Congress 2026 - San Francisco / Bay Area will be divided into two days offering different experiences.
Saturday, September 19th - RUM FESTIVAL Grand Tasting
Sunday, September 20th - RUM CONGRESS
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Please see the agenda and ticket options per day.
SATURDAY, September 19th, 2026 - RUM FESTIVAL Grand Tasting
VIP RUM EXPERT Sessions | 1:30pm - 7:00pm
Audience: RUM AFICIONADOS & EXPERTS (Industry professionals & General Consumers)
Details: Consists of a 5.5-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
2.5 hours early admission
Exclusive tasting cup
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 1: RSVP only, as space is limited.)
Participate in DaiquiriMANIA 1st Booth presented by RE'AL & Finest Call starting at 2:00 pm.
Price: Early Bird: $85.00 (limited quantity) | Regular Price: $95.00 | See DUO “Two Persons” ticket options for savings.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
INDUSTRY TRADE: Grand Tasting Session | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Audience: Members of the trade, such as F&B, DISTILLERY, BARTENDER, IMPORT, DISTRIBUTION, MARKETING, ETC.
Details: Consists of a 1.5-hour program offering industry professionals the opportunity to:
Network with the brand representative
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 3: RSVP only as space is limited.)
Mingle with industry colleagues
Price: Regular Price: $55.00 (limited amount)
Note: Only for members of the trade (bar, restaurant & retail sale of beer/spirits) and beverage media.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
VIP RUM ENTHUSIASTIC: Grand Tasting Session | 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Audience: SPIRITS & RUM ENTHUSIASTS (Industry professionals & general consumers)
Details: Consists of a 4-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
1 hour early admission
Exclusive tasting cup
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 4: RSVP only as space is limited.)
Participate in DaiquiriMANIA 1st Booth presented by RE'AL & Finest Call starting at 4:00 pm.
Price: Regular Price: $85.00
___________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRO TO RUM: General Admission Grand Tasting Session | 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Audience: General consumers interested in learning more about rum
Details: Consists of a 3-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
3 oz souvenir cup
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 3: Limited to any available space on the day of the event)
Participate in DaiquiriMANIA 2nd Booth presented by RE'AL & Finest Call starting at 5:00 pm.
Price: Early Bird Price: $65.00 (limited quantity) | Regular Price: $75.00
==============================================================
SUNDAY, September 20th, 2026 - RUM CONGRESS
RUM CONFERENCE | 1:30pm - 6:30pm
Audience: RUM AFICIONADOS & EXPERTS (Industry professionals & General Consumers)
Details: This will be a series of symposiums, one after the other, and consist of a 5-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
4–5 Super Geeky Seminars by Rum Experts with lots of rums to taste during most of the seminars.
Please refer to the schedule for details.
Price: Early Bird $60.00 (limited quantity) | Regular Price: $80.00 (limited quantity)
==============================================================
AGES: 21+ ONLY (NO CHILDREN)
NO PETS | NO REFUNDS | ALL SALES FINAL | Management reserves the right of admission.
Tickets: After completing your purchase on Eventbrite, you will receive an email confirmation with your attached PDF ticket(s). You MUST print and bring your PDF tickets AND VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION to be admitted to the event.
Ticket Transfer Policy: You may gain entry to the event even if your name is not on your ticket ONLY so long as the barcode is scannable. California Rum Festival &/or its associates are not responsible if ticket(s) cannot be scanned and the order is under a different name than the person presenting the ticket.
Dress Code: All attendees must have the proper attire to enter the event. Beach clothing like bikinis, bathing suits, etc., is not allowed. Management has the full right to deny entry to guests whose dress code could be considered inappropriate. Management will advise guests on alternatives or recommendations to be allowed entry to the event.
Ticket Reminder: To ensure your satisfaction, California Rum Festival &/or its associates cannot guarantee tickets purchased from unauthorized third-party resellers (individuals or brokers).
Photo and Video Release: By purchasing a ticket to the event, you agree and acknowledge that the California Rum Festival &/or its associates plan to take photography and video at the California Rum Festival and reproduce them in news, educational, and/or promotional material, whether in print, electronic, or other media, including the California Rum Festival &/or its associated websites.
California Rum Festival &/or its associates recommends that you purchase tickets directly through sanfranciscorumfest.com, eventbrite.com, our authorized partners, and the venue box offices.
==============================================================
FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event? Yes, a Legal ID. Attendees must be 21 years or older.
I am part of the Trade, and I am buying a Trade Session ticket. Can I stay for other sessions? No. Each session requires its corresponding individual ticket.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to the event? Best option: Lyft or Uber. Parking around the hotel is very complicated.
For parking options: There is a public parking space near the venue. (Be responsible; don’t drink & drive.) | The hotel offers valet, but it’s very limited.
Dress code requirements? It’s late spring, so please come relaxed yet ready to go to another venue afterward if you so choose.
Which session should I attend? Either session will be great and fun for any type of beverage enthusiast! We can gladly help with further questions; contact us.
Join us at Trader Vic's Emeryville on September 19th and 20th, 2026.
The United States is often regarded as one of the most important countries in the global rum industry. Before the American Revolution, rum was the most popular liquor, and now there is a resurgence. California is one of the main consumer markets for rum in the United States.
The RumLab team produces the Puerto Rico Rum Fest "Taste of Rum," California, the Chicago Rum Festival, the New York Rum Fest & Conference, and the Miami Rum Congress. All events draw hundreds of participants, including tradespeople, rum enthusiasts, tourists, and residents.
SCHEDULE
Currently, the California Rum Fest & Congress 2026 - San Francisco / Bay Area will be divided into two days offering different experiences.
Saturday, September 19th - RUM FESTIVAL Grand Tasting
Sunday, September 20th - RUM CONGRESS
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Please see the agenda and ticket options per day.
SATURDAY, September 19th, 2026 - RUM FESTIVAL Grand Tasting
VIP RUM EXPERT Sessions | 1:30pm - 7:00pm
Audience: RUM AFICIONADOS & EXPERTS (Industry professionals & General Consumers)
Details: Consists of a 5.5-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
2.5 hours early admission
Exclusive tasting cup
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 1: RSVP only, as space is limited.)
Participate in DaiquiriMANIA 1st Booth presented by RE'AL & Finest Call starting at 2:00 pm.
Price: Early Bird: $85.00 (limited quantity) | Regular Price: $95.00 | See DUO “Two Persons” ticket options for savings.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
INDUSTRY TRADE: Grand Tasting Session | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Audience: Members of the trade, such as F&B, DISTILLERY, BARTENDER, IMPORT, DISTRIBUTION, MARKETING, ETC.
Details: Consists of a 1.5-hour program offering industry professionals the opportunity to:
Network with the brand representative
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 3: RSVP only as space is limited.)
Mingle with industry colleagues
Price: Regular Price: $55.00 (limited amount)
Note: Only for members of the trade (bar, restaurant & retail sale of beer/spirits) and beverage media.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
VIP RUM ENTHUSIASTIC: Grand Tasting Session | 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Audience: SPIRITS & RUM ENTHUSIASTS (Industry professionals & general consumers)
Details: Consists of a 4-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
1 hour early admission
Exclusive tasting cup
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 4: RSVP only as space is limited.)
Participate in DaiquiriMANIA 1st Booth presented by RE'AL & Finest Call starting at 4:00 pm.
Price: Regular Price: $85.00
___________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRO TO RUM: General Admission Grand Tasting Session | 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Audience: General consumers interested in learning more about rum
Details: Consists of a 3-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
3 oz souvenir cup
Taste premium rums
Attend brand seminars (Tier 3: Limited to any available space on the day of the event)
Participate in DaiquiriMANIA 2nd Booth presented by RE'AL & Finest Call starting at 5:00 pm.
Price: Early Bird Price: $65.00 (limited quantity) | Regular Price: $75.00
==============================================================
SUNDAY, September 20th, 2026 - RUM CONGRESS
RUM CONFERENCE | 1:30pm - 6:30pm
Audience: RUM AFICIONADOS & EXPERTS (Industry professionals & General Consumers)
Details: This will be a series of symposiums, one after the other, and consist of a 5-hour program offering the attendees the opportunity to:
4–5 Super Geeky Seminars by Rum Experts with lots of rums to taste during most of the seminars.
Please refer to the schedule for details.
Price: Early Bird $60.00 (limited quantity) | Regular Price: $80.00 (limited quantity)
==============================================================
AGES: 21+ ONLY (NO CHILDREN)
NO PETS | NO REFUNDS | ALL SALES FINAL | Management reserves the right of admission.
Tickets: After completing your purchase on Eventbrite, you will receive an email confirmation with your attached PDF ticket(s). You MUST print and bring your PDF tickets AND VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION to be admitted to the event.
Ticket Transfer Policy: You may gain entry to the event even if your name is not on your ticket ONLY so long as the barcode is scannable. California Rum Festival &/or its associates are not responsible if ticket(s) cannot be scanned and the order is under a different name than the person presenting the ticket.
Dress Code: All attendees must have the proper attire to enter the event. Beach clothing like bikinis, bathing suits, etc., is not allowed. Management has the full right to deny entry to guests whose dress code could be considered inappropriate. Management will advise guests on alternatives or recommendations to be allowed entry to the event.
Ticket Reminder: To ensure your satisfaction, California Rum Festival &/or its associates cannot guarantee tickets purchased from unauthorized third-party resellers (individuals or brokers).
Photo and Video Release: By purchasing a ticket to the event, you agree and acknowledge that the California Rum Festival &/or its associates plan to take photography and video at the California Rum Festival and reproduce them in news, educational, and/or promotional material, whether in print, electronic, or other media, including the California Rum Festival &/or its associated websites.
California Rum Festival &/or its associates recommends that you purchase tickets directly through sanfranciscorumfest.com, eventbrite.com, our authorized partners, and the venue box offices.
==============================================================
FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event? Yes, a Legal ID. Attendees must be 21 years or older.
I am part of the Trade, and I am buying a Trade Session ticket. Can I stay for other sessions? No. Each session requires its corresponding individual ticket.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to the event? Best option: Lyft or Uber. Parking around the hotel is very complicated.
For parking options: There is a public parking space near the venue. (Be responsible; don’t drink & drive.) | The hotel offers valet, but it’s very limited.
Dress code requirements? It’s late spring, so please come relaxed yet ready to go to another venue afterward if you so choose.
Which session should I attend? Either session will be great and fun for any type of beverage enthusiast! We can gladly help with further questions; contact us.