Packinghouse Brewing Company's Brew Grass Festival

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help out at Packinghouse Brewing Company's Brew Grass event. Even though it was Africa hot, the event was a lot of fun! Live blue grass bands, tasty craft beer, and food trucks serving up food helped to ensure that everyone had a great time. I'd have to say my favorite booth of the day was the fella selling the amazing misters. He was kind enough to refill the misters throughout the event with ice cold water! Once again, Packinghouse Brewing Company put together a fantastic event!

epicbeergirl's photostream on Flickr.

Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest Deux

One of my most favorite signs!

After attending the inaugural Firestone Walker Invitational Beer last year, I was immediately looking forward to this year's fest.  I counted the days down from when I purchased my tickets until the day of the event, June 1st.  This year did not disappoint.  From the moment I entered the event to when I exited, I was impressed.  Firestone Walker improved an event that I didn't think could be improved upon!

 Forty four craft breweries brought amazing beers to sample.  Not only did they bring the beers, but they also brought their brewers!  Having an opportunity to chat with the people responsible for making the beers at an event is a fantastic idea.  Throughout the day, brewers also held sessions in an area of the fest to chat with the people about their beer.

The layout for the event was simple and made it easy to find the beers listed on the handy guide given to all fest attendees.  I actually didn't even look at my guide until after the event had ended.  I kinda wish I had, since there was an opportunity to win tickets to next year's event by simply voting for your favorite brewery of the day.  It was great to be able to not only sample beers from breweries in California and the rest of the United States, but also to try beers from other countries.  I loved having a chance to try Mahr's Brau Bamberg Ungespundetes "U" from Germany!

 Even though the day was Africa hot, reaching a temperature over 100 degrees, water was plentiful around the event.  The event planners also had the foresight to place large outdoor swamp cooler fans in various locations to give festival goers an opportunity to cool down.  Nearly all of the brewery booths had misters helping to cool off those waiting in line as well as those pouring the delicious craft beer.

Along with beer, everyone also was able to sample gourmet food throughout the day.  From wood-fired pizza to gelato made with various beers, there was something for everyone to enjoy.  Live music helped add to the ambiance at the fair grounds and make for a fun-filled day.

Firestone Walker definitely knows how to put together a beer event.  Just like last year, I can't wait for the next Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest!

Bootlegger's Brewery's New Tasting Room

This past Friday, Bootlegger's Brewery was once again pouring craft beer for their loyal customers.  Now located at 130 South Highland Avenue in Fullerton, the new tasting room has the friendly feel of the old tasting room along with many new additions.  

                                                                                                                                                                                   

40 tap handles!

There are now forty tap handles, which will allow for the expansion of even more wonderful craft beers.  There is also space for a pilot brewing system inside the tasting room.  

Area for the pilot system.

The bar tops are covered with pennies!

View from inside the tasting room to the outside patio.

While there is ample seating inside the building, the patio also has an expansive area of both covered and uncovered seating.  

The long communal tables give a feeling of being in a German beer garden.  The tables also encourage people to get to know their fellow beer drinkers.  

Covered and uncovered seating areas on the patio.

The patio area also has enough room for food trucks to easily park so customers are able to have food while they drink their beers.  

Menu board.

The Viking Truck serving lunch.

Along with the expansion of the tasting room itself, the hours of the tasting room have also expanded.  The tasting room at Bootlegger's Brewery will now be open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m..  Fridays and Saturdays, the tasting room will be open from 11:00 a.m. until midnight.  The Grand Opening party is on Saturday, March 16th.

Plenty of parking at the new tasting room for cars and bikes!

Bootlegger's Brewery Last Hurrah...Saying Goodbye to the Original Tasting Room

On Saturday, February 23rd a chapter in Bootlegger's Brewery came to an end.  The last beers in the original tasting room located at 401 South Richman were poured to many eager customers.  This was a bittersweet day.  It was nice to see many old familiar faces as well as many new ones!

The line was out the door.

It was also "Sport Your Stein Night" which is a favorite event for regulars.  For a set price per ounce, you are able to fill any container you bring to the brewery with your favorite beer!

Aaron Barkenhagen, owner of Bootlegger's Brewery.

Blake and Grant sporting their steins.

The overflow crowd was seated in the area where the brewing ingredients, kegs, and bottles of beer used to be stored.

Overflow crowd.

 Nothing beats listening to live music while drinking your favorite beers!  There were two bands for the night. One playing Rock n' Roll while the second band of the night played Death Metal.  This was to pay homage to the note on the tasting board menu board which states Death Metal will be played at closing time.

First band of the night.