OC Brew Ha Ha

Last year, was my first time going to the OC Brew Ha Ha.  I knew it was going to be a great event when I found out my boyfriend and I were going to drive Greg Koch to the festival.  He had sent out a tweet asking if anyone would be able to pick him up from the Irvine train station.  Ahh, the power of the internet!  When one of the biggest names in the craft beer world attends an event, you know it is definitely one you don't want to miss!

Reel Big Fish love beer, just like you!

This year, I'm looking forward to seeing one of my favorite bands, Reel Big Fish perform while I drink some amazing craft beers.  While I love drinking local beers such as those from Bootlegger's, Noble Ale Works, Valiant Brewing, and The Bruery, it is always nice to try beers from other parts of Southern California as well as those from different counties and states.  This year, the event will once again be held at a Oak Canyon Park near Irvine Lake.  While the event is held during the summer when it can be a bit warm, there are plenty of shade trees to help keep people out of the glare of the sun.  The venue is located in an area that makes you feel you've traveled farther from the major freeways than you actually have.

Most events have a mixture of brewery representatives and volunteers pouring beers.  The OC Brew Ha Ha also has volunteers who just happen to be off-duty fire fighters.  This helps to remind attendees that some of the ticket sales profits will go to an excellent cause, the Fallen Fire Fighters Relief Fund.

Scheduled breweries who will be at the event this year are:

Alcatraz Brewing
Anchor Brewing
Avery Brewing
Beachwood Brewing
Brash Brewing Co
Bootlegger's Brewery
Backstreet Brewery
Ballast Point
Brewery at Abigale
Brewery Ommegang
Black Market Brewing Co
Cismontane
Clown Shoes Beer
Coronado Brewing Co
Craft Brewing Co
Dogfish Head
El Segundo Brewing Company

Epic Brewing

Figueroa Mountain Brewing
Firestone Walker
Fireman's Brew
Goose Island
Great Divide Brewing
Hangar 24
Haven Brewing
Inland Empire Brewing
Ironfire Brewing
Iron First Brewing
Karl Strauss
Left Coast Brewing
Lost Coast Brewery
Maui Brewing Co
Monkish Brewing
Monks' Ale
New Belgium Brewing
Newport Beach Brewing Company
Noble Ale Works
Ninkasi Brewing
Old Orange Brewing
Oggi's Brewing
Packinghouse Brewing Company
Pizza Port San Clemente
Refuge Brewery
Ritual Brewing Co
Saint Archer
Speak Easy Brewing
Smog City Brewing Co
Stone Brewing Co
Stadium Brewing
Taps Brewery
The Bruery
Tustin Brewing Company
Valiant Brewing
Wicks Brewing
Widmer Brothers

Not only does your ticket allow you to sample some amazing craft beers, but there will also be home brew enthusiasts on hand to explain the brewing process along with beer connoisseurs who will help attendees have a better understanding of beer.  There are two ticket types, general admission and VIP tickets.  The general tickets include ten four ounce pours of beer along with complimentary water and soda.  VIP tickets will have fifteen four ounce pours of beer, access an hour before general admission as well as the opportunity to sample some rare beers.  Both tickets include a special glass to enjoy beer during the event and to also display proudly on a shelf at home.  Food will be available for purchase from a wide variety of food trucks, some even incorporate craft beer into their recipes!  Food vendors scheduled to serve scrumptious food at the OC Brew Ha Ha this year include:

Brewcakes
Devilicious
Burrito Bandito
Dos Chinos
Garlic Scapes

Rancho A Go Go

Sausage King
Slater's 50/50

The Slidebar

The Viking Truck

And don't forget the live music!  Two bands will be performing, the aforementioned Reel Big Fish and The Creepers.  General admission tickets will set you back $45 while VIP tickets are $60.  If you're into math at all, that equates to a really good deal.  Even though I hate to see the summer come to an end, the OC Brew Ha Ha is a great way to ease into the fall season.

When:  Saturday September 7th, 2013
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.--General Admission
12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.--VIP
Where:  Oak Canyon Park
Tickets are available through Eventbrite, here.
Don't wait to purchase your tickets, the event will sell out, wouldn't you rather hear Reel Big Fish play live than on your record player?