By: Laurel Harrison
Join SacFoodies this week on “The Road to Beervana” (a.k.a. Capitol Beer Fest) with a peek into the brains behind the beer that we love so much!
Have you ever wondered what your local brewer sings in the car? Who their #1 beer pal would be? What beer of theirs you absolutely have to try? You’re in luck! Check out SacFoodies’ Q&A with some fabulously awesome fermenters below.
Bike Dog Brewing Co.
Sage Smith: Co-Founder
What is your favorite beer made by another brewery?
Maui Waui by Altamont. That beer opened my eyes to the amount of tropical flavors a beer could have.
If you could share a beer with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Liam Neeson—I ate dinner at a table next to his in NYC and figured it would be cool to have a beer with him since we’re practically best friends now.
What’s your go-to car karaoke jam?
It used to be “Angels” by Robbie Williams, mainly because I’m terrible with lyrics and I somehow mostly knew the lyrics by heart. Now, my go-to is “California” by Phantom Planet (the theme song from The O.C.) because you get to yell California for a long time. Also, I still can’t believe Marissa is dead.
What beer do people absolutely have to try when they come to your taproom?
Mosaic Pale Ale is our go-to suggestion because it’s the beer that showcases our brewing philosophy the best.
The Monk’s Cellar
Andy Klein: Founder
What is your favorite beer made by another brewery?
Local beer would probably be the classic Rubicon IPA or the Gold Country Pilsner from Auburn Alehouse. Non-local would be Saison Dupont from Brasserie Dupont in Belgium.
If you could share a beer with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Probably Michael Jackson (the beer writer, not the musician). He was so instrumental in developing our understanding of world beer styles in America, and because of that had a huge influence on the American Craft Beer revolution. He inspired many brewers.
What’s your go-to car karaoke jam?
You won’t see me doing a karaoke jam.
What beer do people absolutely have to try when they come to your taproom?
The Crooked Bridge English Style Pale Ale.
Oak Park Brewing Co.
Tom Karvonen: Owner
What is your favorite beer made by another brewery?
Space Dust by Elysian Brewing Co.
If you could share a beer with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Mick Jagger because he was a visionary musician that changed the course of music.
What’s your go-to car karaoke jam?
“Roxanne” – The Police
What beer do people absolutely have to try when they come to your taproom?
Honey Lime Gose & Brimstone Belgian Golden Strong.
Knee Deep Brewing Co.
Andrew Moore: Sales & Marketing Manager
What is your favorite beer made by another brewery?
If you don’t see me drinking Knee Deep you will most likely see me drinking something from Pizza Port.
If you could share a beer with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Ken Griffey Jr. Always has been my #1 idol and favorite baseball player.
What’s your go-to car karaoke jam?
Deltron 3030
What beer do people absolutely have to try when they come to your taproom?
Breaking Bud.
Big Stump Brewing Co.
Alex Larrabee: Owner
What is your favorite beer made by another brewery?
Blind Pig – Russian River Brewing Company
If you could share a beer with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Arthur Guinness – founder of Guinness Brewery. We’d really like to hear first-hand what brewing was like in the 1700s!
What’s your go-to car karaoke jam?
“99 Bottles of Beer”
What beer do people absolutely have to try when they come to your taproom?
Get a flight and decide for yourself! We love everything we make.
For a full list of Sac Beer Week events, click here!
For more information on Capitol Beer Fest, click here!
The Road to Beervana
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!
Deschutes Street Pub
By: Harrison Reilly
For the second year in a row, Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery took over the 1800 block of Capitol Avenue for their traveling Street Pub. With 100% of the proceeds going to Runnin’ for Rhet, the event was an opportunity for Sacramento beer lovers to try unique brews, enjoy live music, eat great food and support a worthy and local cause.
The Deschutes Street Pub has been visiting cities across the United States, offering fans the chance to try their wide ranging beer selection, including some rare releases. While I didn’t get to try the food, Deschutes’ head chef Jeff Usinowicz was creating custom dishes with help from local chefs Wesley Nilson from De Vere’s Irish Pub and Ryan Rose from Zocalo.
As for the beer, it didn’t disappoint. If I had attended during the evening hours, I would have given their porters and stouts a try. I’m a big fan of their aged stout, The Abyss, but the late afternoon heat called for some lighter beers.
Here’s what I had:
- Sagefight Imperial IPA: This double IPA was very smooth for having an 8% ABV. The sage was a great touch without it being overpowering.
- The Dissident: Only poured in a 30 minute window, this limited production sour was a thrill to taste for die hard Deschutes fans in attendance. Although I’m not a big fan of sours, I really enjoyed this one and its wine-like qualities.
- Armory XPA: Described to me as an “experimental pale ale”, this beer was the most refreshing of the three I tried on a surprisingly hot afternoon.
This was a fantastic event and a great addition to Sacramento’s fall events calendar. We hope Deschutes makes their third trip to Sacramento next October.
SacFoodies Weekend Picks
by Brandon Smith
“Fall into Friday” – First Friday Oak Park
All the wonderful colors of fall will soon be covering the streets of Oak Park and what better place to take it all in than the Oak Park Broadway Corridor on First Friday.
First Friday is an exciting community-oriented event that celebrates all that Oak Park has to offer and transforms the Broadway Corridor into an evening full of shopping, dining, art installations and festive community celebrations.
Come celebrate the fall season with warm seasonal drinks from local coffeehouses, a pop-up park for kids and adults, food trucks featuring seasonal fall items, special sales at retail locations, live music and art activations from some of Sacramento’s top designers, artisans and muralists.
First Friday in Oak Park spans the Broadway Corridor from 37th Street to Alhambra, and is presented by the Oak Park Business Association and Unseen Heroes.
First Friday Oak Park
October 7, 2016
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Broadway between 37th Street and Alhambra Blvd.
Oktoberfest presented by Sacramento Turn Verein
Couldn’t make it to Munich this year? Need an excuse to break out your lederhosen? Don’t worry! The Sacramento Turn Verein has you covered with their annual Oktoberfest celebration.
The Turn Verein in East Sac will be pouring authentic German beers and wine in their outdoor Biergarten and serving delicious German food while live music from three different bands and dancers transport you to Theresienwiese.
The festivities begin today, Friday, October 7, at 6:00 p.m. and go until Saturday, October 8 at 12:00 a.m.
Sacramento Turn Verein
3349 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Deschutes Brewery Street Pub
Deschutes Brewery is back for another visit to the Farm-to-Fork Capitol on Saturday, October 8. Street Pub is a family friendly one-stop shop to try a variety of Deschutes beers with over 60 taps featured – from Black Butte XXVIII all the way to year-round favorites like Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Fresh Squeezed IPA. Deschutes will be pairing their beers with culinary creations from Deschutes Executive Chef, Jeff Usinowicz and a few local chefs as well. Street Pub will also feature local, live music from River City Radio (2-3:30pm), Brass Magic (4-5:30pm), Humble Wolf (6-7:30pm), & IDEATEAM (8-10pm).
And if an amazing selection of beers, delicious food and live music wasn’t enough to sell you on attending, what if I told you 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Runnin’ for Rhett?
Entry to the event is free and tokens good for one 16 oz. beer will be sold for $6. VIP tickets will also be available for purchase upon entry.
Deschutes Brewery Street Pub
October 8, 2016
1806 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Kings Fan Fest
by Harrison Reilly
Last week, SacFoodies gave you a look at the eats available around Golden 1 Center. This week, we’re giving you the scoop on some of the delicious offerings within the arena itself.
Eager to taste what we’ve been told is a concessions menu unlike any other arena, SacFoodies made sure to secure a few tickets to the Sacramento Kings Fan Fest this past weekend. This was one of the first opportunities to see the arena, and we were thrilled with what we saw. We were treated to an open Kings practice that included drills, a 30-minute scrimmage and a rookie dunk contest.
The arena is a beautiful piece of modern architecture with glass windows, state of the art technology (like the 4K jumbotron and a Wi-Fi network that can handle 500,000 Snapchat uploads a second) and wide open, easily walkable concourses.
But, of course, we’re all about the food. Luckily the Golden 1 Center has plenty of options. One of the coolest features of the arena is the emphasis on local restaurants and the concessions they’ve inspired. From Café Bernardo and Block Butcher Bar, to Petra Greek and Mikuni, many of the stands represent restaurants you would recognize as a Sacramento resident. See the full list here.
Part of our pack decided to try the LowBrau stand, where we ordered chicken sausages on LowBrau’s famous pretzel bun. With the Golden 1 Center working hard to recreate the Sacramento dining experience within the arena, the sausages were just like what you can order at the restaurant.
We paired our food with Sierra Nevada Torpedos, buying them from a conveniently located Sierra Nevada Draught House on the upper level. Another SacFoodie who joined us on our arena food tour opted for the red chili pork sandwich from Mulvaney’s B&L:
We are confident that the Golden 1 Center will be a fantastic addition to Sacramento and we’re excited to try all the food options it has to offer. Be sure to let us know what you think of Golden 1 Center’s local menu offerings in the comments below!
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