Beer Festivals

2nd Annual Halfway to Halloween Hootenanny Photos

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon, April 29, at Rancho Los Cerritos Historical Site in Long Beach, where Obscura LB put on their second annual Halfway to Halloween Hootenanny. The fundraiser featured craft beer, ciders, kombucha, food, live music, and local vendors peddling everything macabre from books and art to chocolate.

Considering how flaky our weather has been so far this year, it was pretty cool how the weather gods smiled upon us with some amazing beer drinking weather. Continue reading

2023 California Craft Beer Summit Closing Session

These photos were taken Wednesday morning, March 22, the final day of the California Craft Beer Summit, put on by the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center. While there were a couple panels/workshops held earlier in the morning, I waited a couple hours and headed over for the final “Tap Talks” featuring the Pink Boots Society and the closing keynote featuring Sierra Nevada’s Ken Grossman and Russian River’s Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo.

The morning also included a pretty nice brunch and several of the breweries that had booths on the expo floor seemed to bring out special brews that may have been leftovers from earlier events that they did not want to lug home. And by “leftovers” I mean beers that were probably left over from Sunday’s Rare Beer Tasting, but no one was complaining. Continue reading

2023 California Craft Beer Summit Expo

These photos were taken Tuesday, March 21, at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center where the expo portion of the 2023 California Craft Beer Summit was held. The day featured speeches, educational panels, vendors, lunch, a Press Reception, and the Brewers VIP Reception.

My day started off by attending the Opening Session which began with the introduction of the CCBA Board of Directors with a rundown of what the CCBA has accomplished and what was planned for the future. This was followed up by the keynote address from Firestone Walker’s own David Walker, who gave a brief history of Firestone Walker along with his perspective of what the craft beer industry should expect in coming years. Continue reading

2023 CA Craft Beer Summit Welcome Reception

These photos were taken Monday, March 20 at Drake’s The Barn, where they hosted the 2023 California Craft Beer Summit Welcome Reception, sponsored by Strategic Tax Planning. The event featured beer, food, games, a DJ, and the opportunity to network and meet up with old friends. The first few photos were taken when we checked into the Safe Credit Union Convention Center prior to the reception.

I drove up to Sacramento Monday morning/afternoon with me friend Tomm Carroll, world-renowned BJCP judge, beer writer, and beer hoarder. Before checking into the hotel we checked into the summit to get our badges, and Tomm wanted to drop off a pile of Beer Paper LA for summit attendees before heading over to The Barn. Continue reading

2nd Annual Craft Beer LB Homebrew Invitational Photos

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site in Long Beach, where Craft Beer LB held their Second Annual Craft Beer LB Homebrew Invitational. The event featured brews from more than 40 homebrewers, a Pro Brewers lounge featuring local Long Beach breweries, food trucks, live music, games, a Kid Zone where parents could drop off the kids for a bit, and a bicycle valet for those that rode their bikes there. Proceeds went to benefit Rancho Los Cerritos.

The Pro Brewers lounge featured brews from Ten Mile Brewing, Syncopated Brewing, Ambitious Ales, Beachwood Brewing, Trademark Brewing, Ficklewood Ciderworks, Long Beach Beer Lab, and Altar Society Brewing. Continue reading

Photos from the Inaugural Lite Fest at Three Weavers Brewing

These photos were taken Saturday evening at Three Weavers Brewing Company in Inglewood, where they hosted their first annual Lite Fest; a craft beer festival billed as the Champagne of Beer Festivals. The event showcased beers that were no higher than 5.0 ABV from more than 30 breweries. The ticketed event featured unlimited pours, a very nice souvenir glass, live music and food popups. Proceeds from the event went towards supporting the California Craft Brewers Association.

Food was available from Breakfast Dreams and Tortas El Aguila. Live music was provided by LA Rockabilly band, Johnny Shakes & the CA Quakes, and Las Vegas based Punk Rock/Rock & Roll Rat Pack tribute band, Franks & Deans. Continue reading

10th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival Coming May 21 – Promo Code

South Bay Beer & Wine Festival Sponsors

On this cold, wet, and blustery morning it is time to start thinking of warm, spring afternoons consisting of local craft beer, local wines and spirits, good food and music wafting through the air. Of course, I am thinking ahead to the 10th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival which is returning to Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates, Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

It is no secret that I feel this is one of the best craft beer festivals within 100 miles of here, and don’t think it is any secret why. With somewhere close to 100 breweries, wineries, and local restaurants participating, you can be sure there is something for everyone. Continue reading

Photos of the 2022 Craft Beer LB Fest

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at Ranch Los Cerritos Historical Site, where Craft Beer Long Beach held their 6th Annual Craft Beer LB Fest. The sold out event featured brews from 14 breweries and the Long Beach Homebrewers, as well as food from local vendors, live music, and a Kid Zone for the families in attendance.

It was a remarkably lovely day in Long Beach, especially when compared to the past couple of weekends. While it was sunny, the overhead clouds, trees and tents kept it from getting too hot. Continue reading

9th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival Photos

These photos were taken Sunday afternoon at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills, where the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula and Rotary Club of South Bay Sunrise presented their 9th Annual South Bay Beer and Wine Festival, their annual fundraiser which was brought back after a two year hiatus due to a global pandemic that you may have read about.

Sponsored by Beer Paper, Suzy Zimmerman Insurance Agency, Matson & Southwest Port Services (who also kept the beer cold), VEFA, and armanio, the day featured local craft beer, food, wine and spirits from close to 100 vendors, as well as live music from the TAPS drum ensemble and Detour, as well as a beautiful spring day; it would have been tough to have planned a nicer day. Continue reading

12th Annual IPA Festival at Naja’s Place Photos

These photos were taken Thursday afternoon at Naja’s Place, on the International Boardwalk, where day one of their 12th Annual IPA Festival was held. As usual, the event featured IPAs of every type, from Sessions to Quads.

The weather was a typical, slightly cool, May Gray day, which may have accounted for the slow start to the event, but my Instagram and Facebook feeds seemed to indicate that as working stiffs got off work, Naja’s seemed to get a little more crowded.

Thursday was the kickoff event, with today (Friday) being their Locals Collaborations day, and Saturday being Pizza Port day which will feature a special IPA brewed for Naja’s Place. The event runs through the 25th. Continue reading

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