Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow last week and declared an extended winter. I looked at my calendar today and declared the beer-festival season to be upon us.

Beer fests -- where multiple breweries pour at one event -- usually don't kick into high gear until the warmer months.

But, with its infusion of new breweries, St. Louis is poised to get a head start. To wit: hardly a week will go by between now and mid-May without at least one local beer event (not to mention Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo). 

After that, St. Louis Microfest and St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival -- the traditional markers of the beginning of beer-fest season -- will usher in the summer parties.

Another sign of beer's popularity here: Several upcoming festivals fall on the same day. As one local brewery owner told me Monday, with so many breweries and so much beer in this area, seeing multiple events in one day has become inevitable. 

Schlafly Cod & Cask Festival • 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday • Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust Street • Free admission; beer and food extra 

Cask-conditioned Schlafly English IPA, Dry-Hopped APA, Oatmeal Stout, New Zealand IPA, Vanilla Milk Stout, Coffee Stout, Scotch Ale, Smoked Porter and Vanilla Smoked Porter will be flowing, along with the Tap Room's regular draft offerings. This year's event will feature three local guest casks, starting at 4 p.m. Saturday: The Civil Life American Brown Ale, Perennial Artisan Ales IPA No. 1 and Urban Chestnut Old Tjikko.

Winter Cask Festival • 5 p.m. Feb. 18-noon Feb. 19. • 2nd Shift Brewing Co., 1401 Olive Road, New Haven • $150 for one ticket, $210 for two

2nd Shift Brewing Co. is hosting an overnight festival featuring cask-conditioned beers from eight St. Louis-area breweries: 2nd Shift, 4 Hands, Charleville, Civil Life, Exit 6, Perennial, Schlafly and Urban Chestnut. Tickets include dinner, overnight accommodations, breakfast, snacks and beer.

Lupulin Carnival: A Celebration of Hops • 2-6 p.m. March 3 • 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 South Eighth Street • $35

At least 10 local breweries will bring their most hop-forward beers to 4 Hands' first festival. There may not be fire-breathers or tightrope-walkers, but games, live painting, a DJ and more will add to the carnival theme.

FestivAle • 6-9 p.m. March 3; VIP reception 5-6 p.m. • Factory STL, 1128 Washington Avenue • $45-$65

The fourth annual FestivAle, which benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, includes food from the Dubliner, a silent auction and beer samples from about a dozen area breweries: 4 Hands, Augusta, Charleville, Crown Valley, Ferguson, Granite City, Kirkwood Station, O'Fallon, Perennial, Schlafly and Urban Chestnut. Ticket prices include valet parking and a commemorative tasting glass. The VIP hour includes a beer "class" led by Urban Chestnut brewmaster Florian Kuplent and me.

Repeal of Prohibition Festival • Noon-5 p.m. April 14 • Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Avenue, Maplewood • $25-$30

The St. Louis Brewery celebrates the anniversary of the end of Prohibition with a party that features about 30 different beers -- both Schlafly styles and several from an out-of-state brewery to be announced.

Ferguson Two-Year Anniversary • 1-5 p.m. April 14 • Ferguson Brewing Co., 418 South Florissant Road, Ferguson • TBA

Ferguson's only brewpub throws itself a 2nd birthday party, inviting several local breweries to join the fun (and bring their beers). Details to be announced soon.