Tuesday, December 31, 2013

An Epic Year

I've been lucky enough to attend some pretty epic events this year, drink some amazing beers, and see some of my favorite bands perform live.  Listed below are just a few of my favorite events, beers, and shows from 2013.

Favorite Events

1.  Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest
An event where it is hotter than Africa that is still amazing?  Fantastic beers from around the world, country, and state.  I'm excited that I already have secured my tickets for 2014's festival.

Tasting glasses waiting for new friends.

2.  Stone's 17th Anniversary
When an event that already has a reputation for being amazing improves itself, it's a pretty impressive feat.  Stone expanded their offerings this year, which means more people were happy with even more amazing beer.  Another event that was held on a warm summer day that I really loved.

Cheers to 17 years!

3.  Great American Beer Festival
I've been fortunate to now attend this event for two years.  Must say, although the event itself is well done, I enjoy visiting all of the nearby breweries even more!  This year, I went on a brewery tour bus with Bootlegger's Brewery, which was rad.  My favorite brewery that I visited, like last year, was New Belgium.  I may or may not have told more than one person how I won a bike from them this year.

Brewery tours are always fun.

Favorite beers

 1.  Firestone Walker Brewing Company's PNC
I've had PNC on more than one occasion, and each time, I want more.

PNC at Toronado

2.  Modern Times Beer's Blazing World
A new brewery, rad tasting room, and phenomenal beers.  I'm looking forward to see what 2014 has in store for Modern Times!
Modern Times Lomaland Fermentorium

3.  Gigantic Brewing Company's IPA
I have to admit, since I am a fan of the Pixies, having a brewery named Gigantic already piqued my interest.  Their beers are among my new favorites of the year.

Gigantic Brewing Company's label artwork is fantastic!


Favorite shows
1.  The Sound City Players on Hollywood Boulevard for Jimmy Kimmel Live
Seeing the members of the Foo Fighters perform with some legendary musicians, such as Rick Springfield was amazing.  I still can't believe it.  Especially since it was free and a few days before my birthday!

David Eric Grohl and Rick Springfield

2.  Bad Religion at SOMA in San Diego
Never disappoints.
Bad Religion

3.  The Pixies at the El Rey in Hollywood
A band that I thought I would never see perform, since they broke up before I was introduced to their music.  I've been lucky to see them several times before this show, but never in such a small venue.  The El Rey is one of my favorite venues, and the Pixies did not let me down.

The Pixies!
I had such an amazing year going on so many epic adventures, I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me!
Dana Point, New Year's Day 2013


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Friday, November 1, 2013

Beer Blogging Friday, #81 Scary Beer Feminists!

The first Friday of every month, a group of beer bloggers around the globe come together to write a post for The Sessions, also known as Beer Blogging Friday.
For the month of November, Nichole Richard, who writes Tasting Nitch, chose the topic, "Women and Beer: Scary Beer Feminists or a Healthy Growing Demographic?"  
I find this topic interesting, because I have never really thought that women being involved in the craft beer world to be a novelty.  Perhaps because I grew up as a girl playing with both Barbies and Tonka trucks, it seems normal to me for men and women to share the same hobbies and interests.   
While I do realize that when I attend beer events, women are in the minority, I've never really questioned it.  I'm not sure if I would have discovered my love for craft beer if it hadn't been for my helpful boyfriend.  I had sampled craft beer prior to meeting him, but had no idea all of the options that were available and what an ever expanding market the craft beer industry is.
Throughout my craft beer adventures, I have been fortunate to make many amazing friends.  Not once have I felt that my opinions may not be taken seriously because I happen to be female.  I have friends who know much more about beer than I do, yet they always listen to what I have to say, which I appreciate.  
I hope that both women and men continue to realize how amazing craft beer is and give it a try.  Beer is for everyone, well, everyone who is of legal drinking age!


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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

4th Annual OC Brew Ha Ha

Large maps make it easy for people to find their destinations!
Have you ever gone on a vacation and can't wait to go back?  That's how I feel about OC Brew Ha Ha.  Last year was the first time I had the opportunity to attend and I had an amazing time sampling beers.  I have eagerly been awaiting this year's Brew Ha Ha since the end of last year's event!

Gorgeous day for a beer festival!
OC Brew Ha Ha was once again held in the tranquil setting of Oak Canyon Park, although it is in an area that seems to be far away from any major cities, it is actually not far from the suburbs of the east side of the city of Orange.  A quick thirty minute drive from Anaheim and I arrived at the entrance.

A firetruck that serves beer!
Although the event was sold out, it never felt crowded throughout the day.  The longest line had two people in front of me, which of course moved so quickly I forgot there had been people in front of me!
Nothing beats hanging out with Dr. Bill and Stephen Johnson!
Off-duty firefighters were pouring beer, while helped to remind everyone in attendance that a portion of the ticket sales profits were set aside for the Fallen Fire Fighters Relief Fund.  Another benefit of having volunteers pour beer at the Brew Ha Ha is that it helped brewers and brewery employees, who were in attendance, to have more time to talk with attendees about their various beers.  It is always nice to be able to talk to the people that make the beer and to ask questions, if need be.
Matt Becker, Aaron Barkenhagen, and Armen Badalian
Over the course of the afternoon, Greg Koch, David Walker, Dr. Bill Sysak, and Ed Heethuis all took to the stage to impart their craft beer knowledge upon the festival attendees.  Matt Becker, John Holzer, and Stephen Johnson of New Brew Thursday asked beer trivia questions before introducing the last speaker of the day, Greg Koch.  The fellas of New Brew Thursday also handed out t-shirts for those who answered their questions correctly.
Greg Koch likes to talk about beer.
After the last speaker, the highlight of the day for me began...Reel Big Fish took the stage!  Orange County natives who also happen to love beer, Reel Big Fish obviously were having fun playing to the appreciative crowd.

Oh, hi, Reel Big Fish!

Beer + ska = skanking
Many breweries brought their standard line up of beer while some chose to bring special or limited release beers.  Throughout the day, I heard from several people that I needed to try the IPL from Ironside as well as Sierra Nevada's Flip Side.  They were among my favorites of the day along with El Segundo's Pale Ale.  Another highlight of the day was the collaboration beer made exclusively for OC Brew Ha Ha.  Bootlegger's Brewery, Cismontane Brewing, and Tustin Brewery came together to create an Imperial Red.  I'm always happy when I have a chance to try beers that I've never had before!

Ironfire's IPL is fantastic!

Besides beer, there was an great selection of food available at the OC Brew Ha Ha.  Food trucks along with stand alone restaurants brought their tasty treats to make sure everyone was well fed.  From The Viking Truck to Hopscotch Tavern, there was a wide variety of food to be found to please everyone.
Food trucks!
The organizers of OC Brew Ha Ha took an event that has had great success the past three years and made it even better.  They ensured that the brewery booths were spaced out well enough so that it did not feel crowded, even though more breweries attended this year then last year.  Just like last year, the weather was a bit on the warm side, but there were ample water stations throughout the event grounds as well as misting stations which helped to cool people off.


Thanks, OC Brew Ha Ha for a great event.  I can't wait for next year, I hope Reel Big Fish returns, cause nothing beats going to an amazing beer event with a rad band playing live music!
Erik Zwack, Matt Becker, and Scot Koury
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Monday, August 5, 2013

This Saturday, Surf 'n' Suds Beer Festival in Carpinteria!

Living in California, many of us are fortunate enough to live within driving distance to the beach. The upcoming Surf 'n' Suds Beer Festival reminds us not only how lucky many of us are to live near the beach, but also how many amazing breweries are in our great state.
This Saturday, August 10th at Linden Field at Carpinteria State Beach, Deep Surf Magazine will hold the inaugural Surf 'n' Suds Beer Festival.  Over thirty breweries will be on hand to serve delicious beer in an amazing beach setting.  

Breweries scheduled to attend include:
Not only is this a beer event, but it is also an event that celebrates surfing.  Live music will be provided by three bands; Afishnsea the Moon, The Kick, and The Rincons.  Surfboard shapers who are from the area will also be available to showcase their latest surfboard creations.  Throughout the event, movies celebrating surf culture will be shown to help add to the ambiance.  Of course, food is essential during any event where beer is served.  Three vendors will have food available for purchase; B & D's Curbside Grill, The Burger Bus, and Tiki Taco.
Both VIP and general admission tickets will be available.  VIP tickets are $60 and provide attendees to enter the festival one hour prior to general admission ticket holders.  General admission tickets are $45.  For $20, Designated Drivers may also attend the festival.  The Designated Driver ticket also comes with a $5 food voucher.  The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. for those who purchase VIP tickets and 12:30 p.m. for general admission ticket holders.  Beer will stop being served at 5:00 p.m. with the gates closing at 5:30 p.m..
Tickets are available for purchase here.  Don't miss out on a fun opportunity to enjoy the beach and some great beers!

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