In the United States, a few conventions during the year focus on craft beer.

There’s the Craft Brewers Conference for brewing professionals.

The Beer Bloggers Conference focuses on education and networking for those who write about beer.

Those who brew their own beer gather at the annual National Homebrewers Conference.

But these all are targeted, for the most part, to specific niches. For the craft beer drinker, options pretty much have been limited to festivals and regional gatherings. Until this year.

On Aug. 27, 2011, the first ever Beer-Con will be unleashed on San Diego, California.  This is a conference by and for beer lovers.  The greatest minds and palates in craft beer will have a platform to come together and share their passion.

Beer-Con 2011 is a one-day conference that is open to the public.  Attendees will get exclusive access to industry pros, answers to the questions they have always wanted to ask, more knowledge about brewing, tastings and an exclusive party.

You can learn more at Beer-Con website, but the organizers of the convention have made available a special offer for Road Trips for Beer readers.

Just go to the website to register, and when you do, enter the code “roadtrip” and you’ll receive a $50 discount off the ticket price.

Though the conference is just one day, the San Diego region boasts one of the best craft beer scenes in the country, so Beer-Con will be a great excuse to plan a Road Trip for Beer to Southern California.