Happy birthday to everyone’s favorite prankster, policy wonk,  campaigner,  imbiber, proud dog papa, non-participant in Facebook games like Scrabulous, and all-around good guy.

Mark your calendars for two awesome brew fests in May.

The West Coast Brew Fest is May 17 in Miller Park from 1-5pm. 60 brewers, cidermakers, and mead craftsmen will fill your cup. No tokens, unlimited tastes. Discounted tickets are available at both Sacramento Brewing Company locations, The Shack, Manderes, River City Brewing, Hoppy Brewing, and Brew-It-Up or at the Web site.

The Raley Field Brewfest is May 24 from 1-4:30pm. You can also purchase a VIP ticket that lets you in at Noon to enjoy the works of 30 brewers from across Northern California. Tickets available online.

Today, Rubicon Brewing shows their love for the ladies by featuring 11 beers brewed by women to raise funds for WEAVE. If you did not know, women brewers in the industry are rare, but are increasing in both numbers and prominence (just take a look at the trophy case for Denise Jones, head brewer at Moylan’s in Novato). Come show your support by lifting a glass (or 11 small samples), purchasing raffle tickets for great prizes or picking up a limited edition Women in Brewing T-shirt which is available in any color as long as it is black.

From KCRA.com:

A man who lost control of his vehicle and was later treated for injuries may have buckled in a pack of beer, but not himself, according to a police report…Officers said Gritsyuk appeared to be unrestrained by a seat belt, but that a 12-pack of beer in his car was secure.

Odds that this guy owns a “Everyone has to believe in something….” bumper sticker?

Congrats to Rubicon Brewing for surviving and thriving in Sacramento for 20 years. This weekend, the 20th Anniversary celebrations coincide with their 2nd annual Hoptoberfest, with 20 hoppy beers on tap from California and beyond, music and BBQ.

See you there!

I spent the last week in Denver at the Great American Beer Festival sampling waaaaaaaaay too much beer, but have returned with my liver swollen and my palate enlightened.

Hats off to Rubicon Brewing and Sacramento Brewing for collecting more awards for their already bulging trophy cases. Rubicon Brewing pulled a major upset by winning gold in the Belgian-Style Sour Ale category, beating out an incredible field from some of the highest regarded brewers in the US. Unfortunately for local beer enthusiasts, their High Mountain Cherry Ale is not one of their regular creations, and I’m not sure if it will be available locally for tasting. But, believe me, it is goooooooooooooood.

Sacramento Brewing took a bronze medal in the Foreign (Export) Style Stout category for their Russian Imperial Stout. In total, California won 43 medals and two brewery of the year awards.

Edit: Rubicon’s plan is to bottle the High Mountain in champagne bottles for public sale at some point in the future. You can bet that I will be first in line to bring home one of these fantastic beers.

This weekend, we’ve got two local Oktoberfest celebrations for your pleasure.

Turn Verein’s Oktoberfest is a long standing Sacramento tradition, with the dancing, the oom-pah-pah, food, beer and wine. If you have never attended, you are definitely missing out.

Brew It Up is also hosting a strong Oktoberfest for a second year, with fifteen hand crafted German-style beers, food, dancing under a Munich-style tent and more of the oom-pah-pah. Reservations are recommended for dining. If you want to try the beers, they are on tap right now. O’zapft is!

Prost!

Mark your calendars, the fall brewfests have arrived. Remember to plan ahead, as all three festivals offer a discount for advance ticket purchases. All three events benefit local children’s charities.

Continue reading “Three Brewfests, brew news and a brew rumor” »

One of the great things about California is our love of fine alcohol. We are home to some of the best breweries and wineries in the world, and the California State Fair is an opportunity to sample some of the good stuff.

Continue reading “Boozing it up at the State Fair” »

This past Saturday, the West Coast Brewfest was held at Miller Park in Sacramento. Within spitting distance of two rather confused whales, I and several hundred of my closest friends partook in that fine summer event, the brewfest. Unlike an Oktoberfest celebration wherein men wear high socks and lederhosen and the women pour themselves into lace-up bodices, the brewfest calls for a completely different wardrobe. The typical brewfest attendee is typically garbed in: for males, shorts, flip-flops, t-shirt sporting comical yet cynical saying and sunglasses; for ladies, shorts/skirts, flip-flops, t-shirt sporting comical yet cynical saying referring to men’s inability to use good judgment when choosing a mate, and sunglasses.

Continue reading “West Coast Brewfest” »