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A very wise Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." And the San Diego Festival of Beer takes our local love of beer to all new heights.

We all know that drinking is inevitable human nature. From enjoying two pints of lager after a demanding day of work to partaking in "power hour" over a rowdy holiday weekend, we all invent some reason to rationalize our inebriety. Unfortunately, using the "But honey, it was Happy Hour! I got two beers for the price of one!" excuse on a nightly basis can only render our drunken justifications so far.

In 1994 a group of dedicated friends established a way to raise money towards the fight against cancer. Coordinated around the premises of the revered San Luis Obispo beer festival and backed by a large national charity, the San Diego Festival of Beers pioneered its way into the scene. But after its second year running, profits were nominal and the festival faced a doubtful future.

Fortunately, a small group of professionals took compassion towards the cause and came to the rescue. In 1996, the festival was turned into a non-profit organization, now known as the San Diego Professionals Against Cancer (SDPAC), and fitted with a creative team to independently revamp the beer fest into a street festival.

"The festival is unique because it is organized by a group of friends that give up their own free time and money to encourage other people to have fun, and ensure that those who have been touched by cancer are the ones that benefit," says Candace Brown, President and Founder of Professionals Against Cancer. "The festival is designed to attract people seeking a relatively inexpensive way to have a good time and provide a philanthropic return."

On Friday, September 19, the 14th annual Festival of Beer will take over the downtown streets at Columbia and B from 6pm to 11pm, to award San Diegans with a night of much approved alcoholic splurging, as all proceeds will directly benefit cancer research.

"We’re drinking beer to raise money for cancer - doing something very happy to cure something very sad. My dad, who died of colon cancer, would totally approve of drinking beer to cure cancer," says Ellen Goodwin, SDPAC volunteer graphic designer.

Over 50 breweries will be in abundance at the Festival of Beer, from San Diego locals such as Firehouse and La Jolla Brewhouse to national participants such as Pyramid and Shipyard, unfolding their Belgians, Pilsners, Stouts and Ales to provide attendees with a chance to drink, mingle and be merry.

A Festival of Beer event ticket will get you in the door along with a four ounce beer mug to fill with ten samples of your pick of brew. Once inside, patrons can enjoy delectable munchies and a selection of fine wines for purchase by the glass, as well as the sounds of Len Rainey and the Midnight Players and Night Shift on the main stage.

Tickets are $25 online through TicketAlternative here, and $30 at the door. For more information on the San Diego Festival of Beer and the San Diego Professionals Against Cancer, visit SDBeerFest.org.

Learn about the 2007 San Diego Festival of Beer here, and check out the 2007 Festival of Beer event photo gallery here.