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!
Sacramento Bacon Fest is Back!
By Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt
Bacon: a food that needs no introduction. It is not only one of the most delicious foods, but also one of the most versatile. Bacon can be a key ingredient from breakfast to dessert and everything in between.
Starting Monday (Jan. 23) and going until Saturday (Jan. 29), bacon will be getting its annual recognition as a true delight with the kickoff of Sacramento Bacon Fest.
Sacramento Bacon Fest has been bringing the best of bacon to Sacramento for years and this year is no different. Each day of the week promises an event filled with fun, good drinks, good food and of course, bacon. Listed below is the schedule of events and almost certainly something that will please your palette. The year’s closing event, the 6th Annual Chef’s Challenge, is unfortunately sold out at this time, but tickets will be given away at other events throughout the week, so make sure you attend one of those for your chance to win a sought-after ticket!
Monday, January 23:
Opening Nite Party
Kick off the week at Formoli’s Bistro! A ticket includes your first drink and access to six different bacon appetizers.
Formoli’s Bistro
3839 J Street
5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 (includes one drink)
Tuesday, January 24:
Bacon Bao Bing
The Golden Bear and The Jungle Bird are also joining in on the festivities. Each restaurant will create their own version of Moo Shu Pork, alongside some delicious appetizers and cocktails. Start your night at either location and head over to the other when you are ready. Purchase tickets here.
The Golden Bear
2326 K Street
The Jungle Bird
2516 J Street
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $40 (includes Moo Shu Pork at both locations)
Wednesday, January 25:
Bacon Burger Battle
Empress Tavern hosts this battle of epic proportions. Three chefs will go head to head to create the end-all and be-all of bacon burgers. Witness the battle and enjoy some of the food and drinks on special for the night. Purchase tickets here and read our review of Empress Tavern here.
Empress Tavern
1013 K Street
9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 (does not include food purchase)
Thursday, January 26:
Bacon with Keller Crafted Meats
Sure, you know that bacon is delicious, but what about everything that goes into it? Learn that and much more with as Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op presents Mayumi Tavalero of Keller Crafted Meats. Tavalero will demonstrate a four-course meal featuring everyone’s favorite ingredient. Guests will get a taste of each recipe and a complimentary glass of wine. Purchase tickets here.
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op Community Learning Center and Cooking School
2820 R Street
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $49 (general) and $40 (for co-op owners)
Friday, January 27:
Kevin Bacon Soundtrack Tribute Show
There can be no Bacon Fest without throwing a little Kevin Bacon in there too. Torch Club is hosting a night where eight local bands cover songs featured on Kevin Bacon soundtracks, with some bacon treats mixed in too.*
Torch Club
904 15th Street
9:00 p.m.
Cost: $8
* Ages 21+
Saturday, January 28
Nick and Guido Bottle Release
Bike Dog Brewing Co. kicks off Saturday’s events with the unveiling of a special brew named after Nick and Guido, the founders of Bacon Fest. The imperial brown ale, with a hint of smoked malt and a touch of a maple syrup, will be on tap and Chef Kelly Hogge, 2013 Triple Crown Bacon Fest winner, will be dishing out a bacon inspired breakfast.
Bike Dog Brewing
2534 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 110
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Bacon, Bites, & Beer
Once breakfast is over, Track 7 Brewing Co. is making sure the party doesn’t stop. The event has brews on tap and Cecil’s Taste will be parked outside promising a menu loaded with bacon.
Track 7 Brewing Co.
3747 W. Pacific Ave, Suite F
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 29
6th Annual Chef’s Challenge
The most exciting event of the week, hosted by Mulvaney’s, will feature ten chefs competing for a variety of titles all surrounding their creativity in using bacon. A ticket grants access to a taste of each dish, wine and beer and some swag from Sacramento Bacon Fest. Unfortunately, this event is now sold out, but tickets are being given away throughout the week, stay up to date on Bacon Fest happenings!
Mulvaney’s B&L
1215 19th Street
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SacFoodies Weekend Picks
By: Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt
Midtown Bizarre
Identity Coffees is serving up more than a great latte this Saturday as they host the first Midtown Bizarre of the year. The Midtown Bizarre showcases a wide range of handmade goods and products from Sacramento locals.
Burly Beverages, a locally owned company that specializes in small batch sodas and soft drinks, will be in attendance. They’ll be serving a soda made with locally sourced ingredients and brewed with care by owner Gabriel Aiello.
Conscious Creamery will be dishing out six of their dairy-free gelato flavors. All of their products are all natural and vegan made with produce from local growers.
Grab a directly-sourced coffee, sip, shop and enjoy.
January 14, 2017
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Identity Coffees
1430 28th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95816
Midtown Arts
Midtown is known for its eye catching murals and thriving art culture as the neighborhood continues to open new restaurants offering a variety of menus and tastes. The Local Roots Food Tour explores not only the art and culture that encompasses the Midtown area but also gives guests a chance to try some of the great places to eat.
The food tour focuses on restaurants that embrace farm-to-fork and farm-to-glass to ensure that all tour goers get a taste of everything Midtown has to offer.
Grab your walking shoes and your appetite and immerse yourself in Midtown.
Tours take place every day from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The tour, presented by Local Roots Food Tours, spans the Midtown area, and you must purchase your ticket in advance.The cost is $78 per person, $74 for children and military and $70 for seniors (65+)
Midtown, Sacramento, CA 95816
Dine Downtown (January 12-22, 2017)
Sacramento has made a name for itself in foodie circles. There are so many fine dining areas Downtown, it is hard to decide which one to try. Now there are no limitations as the 12th annual Dine Downtown has kicked off.
For the next 10 days, 35 downtown restaurants will be offering special 3-course experiences for $35. Not only will you get to experience all that the Downtown dining scene has to offer, one dollar of each meal purchased with Dine Downtown will be donated to social services and food literacy programs, like the Food Literacy Center
Odds are, one of the 30+ participating restaurants has what you are looking for. Book online to save some time and enjoy your experience.
The cost is $35 for a 3-course prix fixe meal.
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
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