Fifth Annual OC Brew Ha Ha

Even though I'm always sad for summer to come to an end, the OC Brew Ha Ha always helps make the transition an easier one.

Last year was my second year attending the OC Brew Ha Ha and somehow, it was even better than the first time I attended!  Music by Reel Big Fish, amazing craft beer, food, and friends made for a wonderful afternoon. If you're wondering how great last year's event was, you can check out my write up here.  

Reel Big Fish!

This year the line up of breweries and musical performers is another one that is making me eager for September to arrive!   Along with live music, there will also be world class beer experts giving presentations throughout the event, homebrew exhibitors, and a cigar booth.  If you're a fan of Morrissey and the Smiths, chances are you've heard of Sweet and Tender Hooligans.  Those of you who are Southern Californian locals may even have had the opportunity to see them perform live.  I have never had a chance to catch one of their shows and am really looking forward to finally seeing them in person. 

While I am a huge advocate for drinking beers made by local breweries such as those from Bottle Logic Brewing, Beach City Brewery, Bootlegger's Brewery, Newport Beach Brewing Company, and Valiant Brewing, it is always nice to try beers from other parts of Southern California as well as those from different counties and states.  This year, even more breweries will be participating in the OC Brew Ha Ha.

Breweries scheduled to attend include:

• 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• 21st Amendment
• Four Sons Brewing
• Artifex Brewing
• Avery Brewing
• Ballast Point Brewing
• Beach City Brewery
• Beachwood Brewing
• Belching Beaver Brewery
• Black Market Brewing
• Bootlegger's Brewery
• Bottle Logic Brewing
• Boulevard Brewing Company
• The Bruery
• Bravery Brewing
• Cascade Brewing
• Cismontane
• Coronado Brewing Co
• Craft Brewing Co
• Drake's Brewing Company
• Eagle Rock Brewery
• Einstok Brewing Company
• El Segundo Brewing Company
• Epic Brewing
• Fireman's Brew
• Firestone Walker
• Golden Road Brewing
• Goose Island
• Great Divide Brewing
• Green Flash Brewing
• Hangar 24
• Hoegaarden
• Hoparazzi Brewing
• I and I Brewing
• Iron Fist Brewing
• Ironfire Brewing
• Karl Strauss
• Lagunitas Brewing Company
• Leffe
• Left Coast Brewing
• Lost Coast Brewery
• Mission Brewery
• Modern Times
• Monkish Brewing
• Newport Beach Brewing Company
• Ninkasi Brewing
• Ommegang
• Old Orange Brewing
• Oskar Blues
• Phantom Ales
• Pizza Port Brewing
• Refuge Brewery
• Rev. Nat's Hard Cider
• Ritual Brewing Co
• Saint Archer
• San Tan Brewing
• Sierra Nevada
• Smog City Brewing Co
• Speakeasy Brewing
• Stadium Brew Co
• Stone Brewing Co
• Tap It Brewing
• Taps Brewery
• Tustin Brewing Company
• Valiant Brewing
• Wicks Brewing
• Wiens Brewing

As in past years, a collaboration beer has been made for the event.  This year Bottle Logic Brewing and Iron Fist Brewing have worked together to create a saison, Dr. Strange Matter. Brewed using authentic farmhouse yeast and pink peppercorns with Wakatu and Waimea hops and a dash of locally sourced caramelized honey. Dr. Strange Matter has been aged in Chardonnay barrels and is a perfect beer for a hot summer day.

Once again, Brew Ha Ha will be held at 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.

OC Brew Ha Ha, 2013

Most events have a mixture of brewery representatives and volunteers pouring beers.  The 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.

A fire truck that serves beer!

As in years past, food trucks and vendors will be on hand serving food to help compliment the over 175 beers to enjoy during the afternoon.  There will be a wide variety of food to choose from and there is nearly something for everyone's food tastes.  Food trucks and vendors scheduled to serve up tasty food at the OC Brew Ha Ha this year include:

Brew Wings
The Burnt Truck
Devilicious
Dos Chinos
Garlic Scapes
Porko Rico
Slater's 50/50
Stadium Brew Co
The Iron Press

Tickets for the OC Brew Ha Ha are the same price as last year, which is pretty awesome since this year offers unlimited tastings of beer.
General admission tickets are $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.

Important Information:

• When:  Saturday September 6th, 2014
• General Admission, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
• VIP, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Where:  Oak Canyon Park, 5305 E Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, CA, 92676
• Tickets are available through Eventbrite, here.
• Tickets include a commemorative festival glass, which is a great souvenir
• Designated driver tickets are available for purchase upon entry and must be accompanied by a standard ticket holder. 
• OC Brew Ha Ha is a 21+, rain or shine event.
• Staff members will gladly assist attendees with utilizing cabs and Uber. 
• For information on camping at nearby Lake Irvine call 714-649-9111 x 305 
• For festival information visit www.ocbrewhaha.com