Craft Beer

Bring on the Beer! Capitol Beer Fest 2018

March 13, 2018 by SacFoodies

This year’s Capitol Beer Fest marked the return of CBF to Capitol Mall after last year’s event on the 5^th Street Bridge. Compared to last year’s unseasonably hot weather, this year felt much more like Sacramento’s usual mercurial March. Beautiful blue skies gave way to cold and rainy ones, but the beer stayed flowing and the crowd stayed happy for the sold-out event.

As expected, the Sacramento and California beer scene turned out in full force, with over 100 breweries lining Capitol Mall. Some of our favorites came as a surprise – I love beer and usually stay away from the more alternative craft options at festivals (cider, mead, etc.), but one of my top spots of the day was San Diego-based Boochcraft, a high-alcohol kombucha brewery. Full disclosure, I love kombucha anyway, but Boochcraft’s turmeric, tangerine and ginger brew was definitely a step above the rest and we made several stops by their tent during the day (it also doesn’t hurt that the ‘booch clocks in around 7% ABV).

For the stout fans out there, Fifty Fifty Brewing from Truckee had a great showing with their Maple Vanilla Eclipse. It was a fitting beer for a blustery day, and the taster size was just enough to satisfy the flavor profile without feeling too heavy.

Another personal favorite was Einstock Beer Company’s Icelandic White Ale. I’ve had this beer a few times in the past and it never disappoints – it always fits the bill and I was excited to see their tent!
Capitol Beer Fest sets the standard for Sacramento beer fests, and we love attending an event that supports such a worthy cause with Runnin’ for Rhett. It’s great to see such a huge event go towards a good cause, and it makes the day that much more enjoyable when you know every sip supports nurturing a healthy community.
Cheers, and we hope to see you there next year! You can check out last year’s Capitol Beer Fest recap here.
(top photo courtesy of @SacFoodandBooze)

SacFoodies Survey: Beer & Bites

March 3, 2017 by SacFoodies

by Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt
We have been your spirit guides on the Road to Beervana and while we’re no beer experts like the brewers of Sac Beer Week, we of course, have our favorites.
Beer and good food go together like, well beer and good food! In this month’s office survey we asked the SacFoodies about their perfect pairing.
See what they have to say below.

Don’t see your favorites? Sound off and let us know what we’re missing out on!

Deschutes Street Pub

October 11, 2016 by SacFoodies

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

September 8, 2016 by SacFoodies

by Brandon Smith

Farm-to-Fork Restaurant Weeks
Farm-to-Fork Restaurant Weeks presented by Raley’s is a celebration of the region’s premiere dining destinations and the bounty of seasonal ingredients that surround us. The event will showcase the culinary powerhouse that is the Sacramento region, with area restaurants hosting special events, menus and opportunities to meet the farmers, winemakers and brewers who make Sacramento America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.

The dining options will span Sacramento’s downtown core, as well as other regional spots including Roseville, El Dorado Hills, Lodi, Folsom, Davis, West Sacramento, Elk Grove and more.
Be sure to visit participating restaurants (full list available here) for your chance to win two tickets to the sold out Tower Bridge Dinner presented by Cadillac or gift cards to local farm-to-fork restaurants.
The more you dine, the more chances you have to find a Golden Ticket. For more info on the ticket giveaway, click here.
California Craft Beer Summit and Beer Festival
The California Craft Beer Summit and Beer Festival is a must attend event for the beer loving community. This three day event starts as an industry trade show and ends at the largest California craft beer festival, hosted outdoors in front of the state Capitol and offering unlimited tastings from 160 breweries and more than 450 beers brewed across California.
Yes, you read that correctly. Unlimited tastings!
The California Craft Beer Summit Festival will take place on Saturday, September 10 at Capitol Mall from 3-7 p.m. For info on other California Beer Summit events, tickets and a list of participating California breweries visit the California Craft Beer Summit website.
East Sacramento Edible Gardens Tour
Grow it and eat it! Edible gardens are springing up everywhere.
Experience six uniquely different edible gardens in East Sacramento homes on Saturday, September 10 2016 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Attendees will enjoy entertainment in the gardens provided by “Sacramento Symphonic Winds”, have a chance to talk with Master Gardeners and win fabulous prizes.
All proceeds from the Edible Gardens Tour will benefit Tubman House and Food Literacy Center.
Tickets are $20.00 in advance through Soroptimist of Sacramento and $25.00 on the day of the event (children 12 and under free).

[Read more…]

Wine & Brew at the Zoo – And a Ticket Giveaway!

May 2, 2016 by SacFoodies

If the idea of an adults-only evening where you can sip a glass of wine while checking out the giraffes at the Sacramento Zoo sounds like your kind of night out, then you’re in luck! The Zoo’s annual event is back, (they took a year off in 2015), and the new-and-improved version of the event sounds like it may just be a wild success.
Formerly known as the “Kings of Feasts,” the event has now been re-branded to “Wine & Brew at the Zoo.” This year, 28 local wineries and breweries will serve samples while guests are entertained by live music, a silent auction and of course the exotic zoo animals. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks with 10% of the sales benefiting the non-profit Sacramento Zoo.
Here are the event details:
What: Wine & Brew at the Zoo
When: Saturday, May 14^th, 2016 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Sacramento Zoo, located at the corner of Land Park Drive & Sutterville Road
Tickets: Purchase tickets online at www.saczoo.org/wineandbrew, or call 916-808-5888
And, SacFoodies has your chance to win tickets! Here’s how: Comment on this blog post OR on the SacFoodies Facebook post and tell us which winery or brewery you are most excited to try at the event (check out the complete list here). We will select a random winner on Friday, May 6^th. Winner will be notified via email and/or via Facebook direct message.
Good luck!

SacZoo Wine Brew - vertical 2 — Photo Courtesy of the Sacramento Zoo