by Laurel Harrison
As we slowly inch our way towards spring, our thoughts are turning towards sunshine, farmer’s markets, and, of course, Sacramento Beer Week, running March 2 – March 12. We here at SacFoodies love great beer almost as much as we love great food, and for the month leading up to Beer Week we’ll be featuring local breweries and the people behind the beer. Join us this month on “The Road to Beervana” (i.e., Capitol Beer Fest) – look forward to bios, fun facts about your favorite brewers, and a little extra insight into the best brews in town. Cheers!
Bike Dog Brewing Co.
Founded by Sage Smith, A.J. Tendick, Raef Porter and Pete Atwood, Bike Dog Brewing quickly established itself as a go-to for craft beer in West Sacramento. Bike Dog’s newest venture, a taproom on Broadway, is slated to open early this year in conjunction with the Selland’s Market-Café. Their “good people deserve good beer” motto has led them to great success, proving that good beer does, in fact, bring around good people (and even better business). Check out Bike Dog on the West Sac Brew Bike Tour during Sac Beer Week, and have a pint for us!
The Monk’s Cellar
The Monk’s Cellar, founded in 2014 and located in Roseville, pays homage to brewing traditions from Belgium and seeks to provide a casual, relaxed environment dedicated to the enjoyment of good beer. During Sac Beer Week, The Monk’s Cellar will be hosting two unique and exciting events – the Trappist Beer Dinner and the Placer County Firkin Fest. The Trappist Beer Dinner will feature a five-course meal of traditional Belgian foods paired expertly with five different Trappist beers. Due to demand, seating is (obviously) limited and reservations are required! The Placer County Firkin Fest will include 13 Placer County breweries. Each brewery will bring a unique beer to the event, and each beer will be poured directly from the cask; every beer lover’s dream.
Oak Park Brewing Co.
Oak Park Brewing, founded by Tom Karvonen and DavidEstis, was named Sacramento’s “must-visit” brewery by Thrillist. Like so many craft breweries, Oak Park Brewing began in a garage and grew into a taproom and brewery with a huge fan following and rollicking taproom schedule. To quote Thrillist’s glowing review, this brewery is “pulling out some beers that would give the bigger cities pause.” Oak Park will be hosting their IPA Release Party: Race to the Bottom on March 4th as part of Sac Beer Week – stop by to check out their collaborative IPA release, featured British and Belgian Ales with West Coast Edge, and listen to local live music.
Knee Deep Brewing Co.
Knee Deep Brewing was founded in 2010 as a “contract brewery” that sold kegs exclusively in the Northern Nevada market. Over the past 7 years, Knee Deep has become a well-respected and well-recognized name in the craft beer industry, occupying a 28,000 square foot facility in Auburn and brewing with a 40 barrel 4 vessel system. By the end of 2016, Knee Deep was actively selling their brews in all 25 states! Knee Deep has established itself as a stalwart fixture of the Sacramento (and U.S.) craft beer scene, maintaining their connection to their community while achieving national success. Knee Deep will also be taking part in the Placer County Firkin Fest on March 11th as part of Sac Beer Week – stop by to see (and taste) beers made specifically for this event!
Big Stump Brewing Co.
Started in September of 2016, Big Stump Brewing is the new guy on the craft beer scene – and boy, are we happy they’re here. Alex Larrabee, owner and founder, was inspired to open Big Stump after his Imperial IPA and Bavarian Hefeweizen took home a gold medal and “best in show,” respectively, from the CA State Fair. Located next to Old Soul’s flagship location on L Street, Big Stump is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and bring-your-own-food-friendly. We look forward to getting to know this brewery (and their beers) better very soon. For Sac Beer Week, you can find Big Stump pouring beers at the Capitol Beer Fest on Sunday, March 12th!
You can find all upcoming Beer Week events here and check out Capitol Beer Fest information here.
Keep an eye out for more upcoming features and facts about our favorite fermenters throughout February!
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