Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Announces Their 2019 Lineup

June 1, 2019 by evebushman

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. (PRWEB) – The 24th Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza in Mammoth Lakes, California is gearing up for its High Sierra summer party with four days of music and two days of craft beer tasting, August 1st-4th, outdoors among the pines at The Woods at Mammoth Lakes.

More than 20 internationally known bands will perform on two stages including seven-time Grammy award winner Buddy Guy, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Jimmie Vaughan, Charlie Musselwhite, Popa Chubby, Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers, Sugaray Rayford, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Southern Avenue, Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs, Sal’s Greenhouse, Dirty Cello, Emily Wolfe, Reverend Tall Tree & The Blackstrap Brothers, Kings & Associates, Chris Pierce, Katie Henry Band, The Sextones, and more.

“At 8,000 feet, our festival unites the best in craft beer and legendary blues at altitude,” says Sean Turner of Mammoth Brewing Company, host brewery of the event. “This year’s lineup is an incredible mix of celebrated blues performers and some emerging new acts.”

The Mammoth Festival of Beers boasts two days of beer tastings, both Saturday (12pm-5pm) and Sunday (12pm-4pm), showcasing more than 70+ breweries pouring over 200 beers, ciders, and hard kombuchas. A sampling of breweries include Mammoth Brewing Company, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Eel River Brewing, Firestone Walker, Great Divide Brewing Co, San Diego, Sierra Nevada, Stone, and many, many more. The event benefits the California Craft Brewers Association, Infinite Music, One Tree Planted, and local nonprofit organizations. Along with the beer and blues, a variety of food purveyors will be on site. And for those that prefer grapes to hops, Paso Robles winery Castoro Cellars will be offering their signature wines.

Multi-day tickets are the festival’s best buy and those that purchase the Blues/Brews Ultimate Pass receive early entry to the festival and beer tastings each day.

Advance tickets are on sale and the festival is expected to sell out. Tickets are available online at http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com/tickets; and locally at the Mammoth Brewing Company Tasting Room. For updates and additional information, visit http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com, or call 888-99-BREWS (992-7397).

The Woods at Mammoth Lakes, is located at 5701 Minaret Road between Main Street and Meridian Boulevard. Mammoth Lakes is a mountain resort located near Yosemite National Park in the Eastern High Sierra off Highway 395, offering world-class golf courses, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and resort facilities. For additional information about camping or local accommodations, call 800-GO MAMMOTH or visit http://www.visitmammoth.com or http://www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com/lodging.

Twenty-four years ago, Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza started in the parking lot of Whiskey Creek Restaurant in Mammoth Lakes, CA with just ten breweries and a couple of garage bands. From these humble beginnings, the event today attracts thousands of attendees from all over the world and is recognized as one of the best festivals of its kind in the United States.

KVC Kentucky Holds 2nd Annual Brews, Boots and Beats Concert Event

May 8, 2019 by evebushman

LEXINGTON, Ky. (PRWEB) – KVC Kentucky will host the 2nd Annual Brews, Boots & Beats presented by Sleep Outfitters and Tempur Sealy, at Fasig-Tipton horse farm on May 17, 2019 to raise funds to support KVC Kentucky’s mission and further their work. Located in the heart of the Bluegrass, this elegant venue highlights Kentucky’s stunning farmland, prized Thoroughbred horses and beautiful equine architecture.

This year’s event features live concert performances by The Tee Dee Young Band, Dustin Collins, The Swells, Small Batch, and Ben Lacy, heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by award-winning Chef Ouita Michel and her team, beer by West Sixth Brewing, cocktails and more! This event brings together guests of all ages to enjoy a night of music, dancing and fun – plus, your chance to win a Tempurpedic bed and other great prizes, all for a great cause!

While this evening event promises to be a fun time with family, friends, and community partners, Brews, Boots & Beats will also raise awareness for the vital work of KVC Kentucky in supporting those in our communities who are experiencing mental health distress, substance use and family trauma.

For over 18 years, KVC Kentucky has provided an array of behavioral health, substance use and child welfare services that target significant problems that youth, adults and families face in our contemporary society. KVC Kentucky positively impacts the lives of over 12,000 children and families each year by providing in-home behavioral healthcare and substance abuse treatment, family preservation and reunification, and foster care services. KVC Kentucky is committed to strengthening and supporting the well-being and vitality of Kentucky’s children, families and communities through their high-quality, collaborative, and impactful services designed to empower clients by building on their unique strengths.

Doors will open at 6:00pm. VIP and General Admission Tickets are on sale now at https://brewsbootsbeats2019.eventbrite.com. Come dance the night away in support of KVC Kentucky’s mission to strengthen and support the well-being and vitality of Kentucky’s children, families and communities!

The Wine Affair – Sip, Stroll & Savor the Sounds: Takes Place March 24 on Main Street in Downtown Newhall

February 11, 2019 by evebushman

Santa Clarita, CA— Soroptimist of Greater Santa Clarita Valley (SIGSCV) is excited to announce their 11^th annual Wine Affair fundraiser will be held on Sunday, March 24^th from 2pm – 6pm. The event is an extravaganza of wine (and beer), food and local music that has grown in popularity year after year.

Sand Canyon Country Club (www.sandcanyoncc.com) is the title sponsor of the event.

Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology (www.scvadvancedaudiology.com) is a Platinum Sponsor.

An exciting change to the popular event is the location – the March event will take place on Main Street in Old Town Newhall, introducing attendees to a new array of venues, delicious appetizers, new wines as well as craft brews. There is surely something for everyone to enjoy while experiencing the transformation of our Old Town Newhall district.

Karen Schnurr, SIGSCV President stated, “We are thrilled to be able to hold this event in the heart of Old Town Newhall, introducing the community to the vitalization and excitement of this area of our city. We are so grateful for the number of inquiries from businesses up and down Main Street wanting to participate.”

Proceeds from this event will go toward improving the lives of women and girls in our community.

General admission tickets are $60 and VIP tickets are $110. Both can be purchased online at www.thewineaffair.org.

Mystic Hills Vineyard is the VIP ticket area wine sponsor. At press time there is not a current list of wineries participating but some of the venues hosting tastings will include Newhall Refinery, Double Trouble Wine Room, The Old Town Junction, Persia Lounge and Restaurant, Brewery Draconum, Pulchella Winery, Smokehouse on Main, The Press Room and at least another half dozen more.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Aida Weinstein at 661-713-2656.

Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that improves the lives of women and girls. More than 110,000 members and supporters in 20 countries and territories invest in the dreams of women and girls through access to education. Soroptimist’s main program, Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards for Women, has disbursed about $30 million to almost 20,000 women since 1972. Its newest program, Dream It, Be It, targets girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. Soroptimist also powers LiveYourDream.org, its online community that provides on and offline opportunities for volunteer action benefiting women and girls.

Seventh Annual SCV Charity Chili Cook-off Offers Lots of New Surprises

January 21, 2019 by evebushman

The 7^th Annual SCV Charity Chili Cook-off is cooking up some great surprises. 40 amateur chefs will be accepted as contestants for the event, to be held on Thursday, March 21st, 2019 at 6:00pm. The event is being held at The Oaks Club at Valencia (formally TPC) featuring live band, DJ and dancing along with a live and silent auction, kids’ corner and of course Chili cookers far and wide looking forward to presenting their prized recipe in hopes of winning first, second or third prize, People Choice Award or Judges Choice, all critiqued by our local celebrity judges. Our new location, will offer a perfect flow of inside and outside areas to experience this great event. We will have a few more great surprises to unveil!

The Santa Clarita community will once again will be asked for their support for great non-profits, while having a great time. This year’s event is sure to be our best. This is founder Nicole Stinson’s 7th successful year, whom will be working hard and diligently to bring in sponsors, donations with her co-chair Steve Portaro to help make the event go off without a hitch. The upcoming event will be benefiting two amazing shelters in our area that are saving the lives of animals, Shelter Hope Pet Shop and St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary/Lange Foundation. Steve Portaro, Co-Chair commented, “Our goal has no cap and we are benefiting two charities this year, so we need twice the donation power to help both amazing causes with their continued success.”

Editor’s Note: I reached out to Nicole to ask what wine 101 readers need to know and learned: Support local – and get a drink ticket for beer, wine or a well drink at the same time if you buy a VIP ticket to SCV Charity Chili Cook-Off! And General admission tickets have a EARLY BIRD SPECIAL GOING- SAVE $5 until February 14!

Sponsor, Cooker, Attendee, Volunteer opportunities:

Put your hand on my paw. I will never let it go. Put your trust in me. I will never, ever leave you. Put your heart in my heart. I will forever give you love. Put my paw in your hand. I will always keep you from harm. All I ask for is your love.

Love always………The Pet that you will someday rescue.

It’s already heating up in the kitchen as sponsors are grabbing a seat at the table. There’s plenty of room to join them, our sponsorship levels start at $500 and go up to $10,000. Prizes and donations for the silent auction are already coming in! This year’s selected charities benefiting when we put the word out for nominations, the votes started flooding in to help support rescuing animals in our community. We are so proud and excited to be able to help this cause and can’t wait to get the ball rolling and the planning underway says Stinson.

Attention – Amateur Cookers! We are already signing up Chili Cookers and contestants to enter their secret recipe, serve it up to event attendees, and try for the 2019 trophy for the BEST CHILI! Get your registration forms in ASAP; space is limited- $125.00 fee. Awards will be given in two categories- People’s Choice and Judges Choice. We will also have an additional trophy for the Best Decorated Booth! YEE HAW!

Early Bird General admission tickets are on sale for $25.00 until end of January, then will go up to $30.00. VIP Tickets are still available but will be sold out soon, so don’t wait to buy your tickets! https://scvcharitychilicookoff.com/tickets/

For more information, entering in Chili Contest or sponsorship please call Nicole Stinson 661-816-4234, Steve Portaro 310-800-3064 or please visit www.scvcharitychilicookoff.com or keep up with all the latest news on Facebook www.facebook.com/SCVChiliCookOff, #HottestCharityEventInTown.

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout Wins Gold at Tastings.com World Beer Championships

December 6, 2018 by evebushman

FORT BRAGG, Calif. (PRWEB) – North Coast Brewing Company, an independent craft brewery producing exceptional, high-quality beers, is excited to announce that its Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout has been awarded a gold medal at the Tastings.com World Beer Championships.

Tastings.com judges described Old Rasputin as “a craveable hoppy imperial stout that is superbly balanced,” rewarding it with a ranking of 94 points and a gold medal at the Tastings.com World Beer Championships.

Internationally recognized, the Tastings.com World Beer Championships is America’s oldest annual international beer competition, dating back to 1994. The World Beer Championships reviews a different beer category each month, using feedback provided from an exceptional panel of judges with expertise in categories such as beer retail, production, distribution and taste. Beers are blind tasted and judged on a 100-point scale, providing the highest level of control to guarantee beer fans with top quality reviews.

“North Coast Brewing Company is thrilled that our Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout received a 94-point score from the Tastings.com World Beer Championships,” said North Coast Brewing Company Brewmaster, Chuck Martins. “Old Rasputin is a fan favorite and it’s an honor to be recognized with one of the highest ranking scores.”

Rooted in history, Old Rasputin is one of North Coast Brewing’s most famous brews, nationally recognized within the craft beer industry. Featuring a remarkable mix of rich flavor elements and a warming finish, Old Rasputin is a timeless take on an imperial stout.

Old Rasputin is an internationally distributed beer and can be found locally using North Coast Brewing Company’s beer locator.

About North Coast Brewing Company:
Founded in 1988, North Coast Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery producing exceptional, award-winning beers in Fort Bragg, CA. North Coast Brewing crafts a wide range of beers, including barrel-aged ales and popular seasonal offerings, including a Berliner Weisse series, to 48 U.S. states and internationally. A pioneer in the brewing community, North Coast Brewing Company is focused on sustainability and is a Certified B Corporation, California Benefit Corporation and Best for the World 2018 Changemaker honoree. For more information on North Coast Brewing, please visit: https://northcoastbrewing.com/.

Casa Pacifica Announces 5th Annual “Best in Fest” Brewery Competition Winner

May 24, 2018 by evebushman

CAMARILLO, Calif. – On Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Bottle & Pint in The Annex at The Collection RiverPark, Casa Pacifica chose its 5th Annual “Best in Fest” brewery winner. This year, Topa Topa Brewing Co. took home the top prize with their Chief Peak IPA. Institution Ale’s Rx Pils and MadeWest’s Red Rye earned honorable mention.

This was the first year the “Best in Fest” judging was open to the public. Attendees tasted the twelve brews alongside the judges. The esteemed panel of judges included: Kevin Pratt, the nation’s second highest ranked beer judge; Jason Hendrick, General Manager of Barrelhouse 101; Zach Rosen, Certified Cicerone; Erin Peters, also known as the Beer Goddess; and Bec O’Neal, Sales Rep for Stone Distribution Company. Guests also received delicious small bites from other Annex tenants: Pancake, Scratch Sandwich Counter, and Seoul Sausage Co. Another welcome addition to the competition was the dispensing of beers via numbered taps. In years past, competition co-chairs Curtis Taylor and JC Lombardo collected the brews and stored them in coolers until the judging.

The breweries vying for the title were: 14 Cannons Brewery, Enegren Brewing Co., Institution Ale, The LAB Brewing Co., Leashless Brewing, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ojai Valley Brewery, Red Tandem Brewery, SLO Brew, Topa Topa Brewing Co., Ventura Coast Brewing Co., and Westlake Brewing Company. All twelve brews from the “Best in Fest’ Brewery Competition will be available for tasting at the 25th Anniversary of the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at CSU Channel Islands.

Casa Pacifica and the Angels are excited to welcome back their generous Hosts, The Zarley Family; The Van Huisen Family; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; Conico Oil/MacValley Oil & Mission Produce. The VIP Lounge will be presented by Wells Fargo. The newest addition to the festival is the Ultra VIP Experience, sponsored by Union Bank. This special addition for the 25th Anniversary will only be available to high-level sponsors.

As always, the Festival will offer an unbeatable array of exhibitors offering delicious food samples from fabulous restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and specialty shops, to the palette-pleasing tastes of fine wines, smooth brews, and specialty beverages from throughout the region and California. A large online silent auction will tempt festival-goers with must-have, one-of-a-kind, themed baskets. The Yummie Top Chef Competition will crown winners for the best “Savory” and the best “Sweet” chef’s masterpiece among the participating exhibitors. Actor Oded Fehr returns as the Yummie Culinary Competition emcee. Live entertainment from the main stage throughout the day will keep the festival-goers rocking out and crowding the festival’s dance floor. Bruce Barrios, Ventura County’s favorite DJ, will emcee the day’s festivities.

All proceeds from the “Best in Fest” Brewery Competition and the Wine, Food & Brew Festival will benefit the vital programs and services Casa Pacifica provides to the community’s most vulnerable children and their families. Get your tickets today at http://www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

To purchase tickets or for more information about exhibitor opportunities, please visit http://www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com. For further questions please contact Carrie Hughes, Director of Development & Public Relations for Casa Pacifica at (805) 366-4011, or by email at chughes(at)casapacifica.org.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and administers a number of community-based programs designed to strengthen families and keep children in their homes and communities. For more information about Casa Pacifica visit its website http://www.casapacifica.org or call the Development Department at (805) 445-7800.

Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Announces the 2018 Lineup

May 14, 2018 by evebushman

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. (PRWEB) – The 23rd Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza in Mammoth Lakes, California is gearing up for its High Sierra summer party with four days of music and two days of craft beer tasting, August 2nd-5th, outdoors among the pines at The Woods at Mammoth Lakes.

More than 15 internationally known bands will perform on two stages. On the Bluesapalooza Main Stage, the Beyond Blues Thursday Night (5:30pm-9:30pm) kicks off with Harper and Midwest Kind with Lazer Lloyd. Friday Night Rock ‘N Blues (5:00pm-10:00pm) features headlining performances from TajMo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band, Revered Peyton’s Big Damn Band, and Alicia Michilli, and Saturday’s Bluesapalooza (12:15pm-9:30pm) features Ozomatli, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Eric Gales, Danielle Nicole and Wee Willie Walker and The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra. Festivalgoers can unwind, kick back and relax on Soulful Sunday (12:15pm-5:15pm) with ZZ Ward, The Reverend Shawn Amos, and Vanessa Collier. On the Minaret Stage, Dennis Johnson and The Mississippi Ramblers, Dirty Cello, and The Bald Eagles will perform throughout the weekend, and during late night sets after the Main Stage performances.

“At 8,000 feet, we’re the highest elevation beer and music festival on the West Coast,” says Sean Turner of Mammoth Brewing Company, host brewery of the event. “In 23 years, we’ve built a solid reputation of mixing legendary blues performers, exciting new acts, and the best craft breweries from around the west so we’re the best festival to find your new favorite band and your new favorite beer and meet some of the brewers.”

And when it comes to craft beer, attendees have a mammoth supply to choose from and taste. The Mammoth Festival of Beers features two days of beer tasting, both Saturday (12pm-5:00pm) and Sunday (12pm-4:00pm), showcasing more than 60 plus breweries pouring over 200 craft beers, such as Mammoth Brewing Company, Bear Republic, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Firestone Walker, Pizza Port Brewing, Russian River Brewing, San Diego, Sierra Nevada, Stone, and many more. The event benefits the California Craft Brewers Association, Infinite Music Foundation and many local nonprofit organizations. Along with the beer and blues, plenty of tasty food from some of Mammoth’s best restaurants will be served in the Blues Food Court satisfying the heartiest of appetites. And for those that prefer grapes to hops, Paso Robles winery Castoro Cellars will offer their signature wines.

Multi-day tickets are the festival’s best buy and those that purchase the Blues/Brews Ultimate Pass receive early festival entry to the festival and beer tastings each day in addition to complimentary food vouchers.

Advance tickets are on sale now and this year’s event is again expected to sell out. Tickets are available online at http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com/tickets; and locally at the Mammoth Brewing Company Tasting Room. For festival updates and additional information, visit the event’s responsive website, http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com which features music videos; links to bands, breweries and ticketing; a photo gallery; email signup; live social media updates; FAQ section; an informative blog on festival happenings; and more. According to the event producers, this is the best place to obtain up-to-the-minute information about the festival. Or, contact the event hotline, 888-99-BREWS (992-7397).

The event venue, The Woods at Mammoth Lakes, is located at 5701 Minaret Road between Main Street and Meridian Boulevard. Mammoth Lakes is a mountain resort located near Yosemite National Park in the Eastern High Sierra off Highway 395, offering world-class golf courses, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and resort facilities. For additional information about camping or local accommodations, call 800-GO MAMMOTH or visit http://www.visitmammoth.com or http://www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com/lodging.

Great Vegas Festival of Beer to Host Beer and Sear Craft Beer and Culinary ‘Beerunch’ at Searsucker

March 26, 2018 by evebushman

LAS VEGAS – Motley Brews will host a Beer and Sear craft beer and culinary ‘beerunch’ at Searsucker Las Vegas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. In addition to exclusive beer tastings, the event will include music and culinary stations.

Stephen La Sala, executive chef of Searsucker, will prepare a sampling of brunch selections to pair with the beer offerings. Three food stations will offer fresh salt and brine offerings, including poke hand rolls, oysters on the half-shell served with a spicy cocktail sauce and lager mignonette and Bloody Mary shrimp cocktails; brunch favorites, including beer-brined pork belly bennies, served with homemade bread, lemon-dill hollandaise and beer-cured salmon, Mexican poutine served with stout-braised carnitas, rajas and Oaxaca cheese and short rib fries, made with beer-braised short ribs and topped with Vermont cheddar and egg; and Chef La Sala’s traditional taco bar, with an authentic pastor taco, an infamous charred octopus taco and beer-braised crispy pig ears.

Guests attending this exclusive event will experience a decadent taste of the eighth annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer, where Chef La Sala will cook a variety of beer-inspired dishes created specifically for festival guests with VIP tickets. This year’s Great Vegas Grand Tasting will be held on Saturday, April 7. The Mad Craft Experience, added to the Great Vegas lineup last year, will be held on Friday, April 6.

Tickets to Beer and Sear are priced at $55, plus tax and fees, and are available for purchase on the website at http://greatvegasbeer.com/great-vegas-presents-beer-sear/.

About Motley Brews:

Founded in 2010, Motley Brews was created for locals, breweries and brew fans alike to share great libations in a true local setting. Motley Brews develops beer-centric festivals and events throughout the Southwest, including San Diego, Las Vegas and Pasadena, Calif. Motley Brews’ annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer, founded in 2011, is Nevada’s largest craft beer festival. Motley Brews supports local non-profits with every event, raising more than $125,000 to date. More information about Motley Brews is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MotleyBrews, or on their website at http://motleybrews.com/.

About Searsucker:

Searsucker, a restaurant brand conceptualized by chef Brian Malarkey, brings sharable comfort cuisine coupled with a casual, feel-good atmosphere to Austin, Texas, Del Mar, Calif., San Diego, Calif., and the newest Las Vegas location in Caesars Palace. Named after the simplicity of the seersucker fabric, which is casual and emanates a relaxed vibe among those who wear it, Searsucker evokes that same feeling in its dishes and atmosphere. Each of its four locations features comfortable couches, eclectic music and extreme flavors, all which combine to create the perfect social dining experience. For more information, please visit Searsucker.com.

Motley Brews to Bring Eighth Annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer Back to Downtown Las Vegas in April

March 11, 2018 by evebushman

LAS VEGAS – Great Vegas Festival of Beer will return to Downtown Las Vegas for two days on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 – which coincides with National Beer Day. The experiential event, produced by Motley Brews, is expected to be the state’s largest craft beer festival for the eighth time with more than 500 beers and 10,000 attendees anticipated throughout both days.

The weekend will begin with the return of the Mad Craft Experience, which was added to the Great Vegas lineup last year, from 7-10 p.m. on April 6, with culinary competitions and select beer tastings from notable breweries. The Grand Tasting will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, with early entry at 2 p.m., and will offer more than 500 craft beers from more than 120 local, regional, national and international breweries, in addition to beer-inspired and infused cuisine from some of Las Vegas’ top chefs.

“We have separated Great Vegas from any other beer festival in the nation by introducing new interactive and experimental experiences for craft beer lovers,” said Brian Chapin, founder and CEO of Motley Brews. “This year, we’re adding even more entertainment, culinary options and of course, beer.” Chapin demonstrated Las Vegas’ thirst for craft beer with the inaugural Great Vegas in 2011, which quickly sold out to more than 2,000 attendees. The event has grown from year to year, prompting an expansion to two days in 2017.

Tickets for the Mad Craft Experience start at $55 plus fees. Tickets start at $40 plus fees for Saturday’s Grand Tasting, providing access to the festival from 3 to 7 p.m. along with a tasting glass, unlimited beer samples and entertainment options including a silent disco, BrewLogic seminars and more. Early admission tickets are also available, providing entry at 2 p.m., priced at $50 plus fees.

VIP tickets to the Grand Tasting, Great Vegas’ most coveted credential, are priced at $90 plus fees, and include early entry at 2 p.m., access to the VIP Brewers Lounge, which includes a rotating tap of limited release and rare beers, a decadent spread of top-notch cuisine prepared by celebrated Las Vegas chefs, a lounge area and more. VIP tickets are limited, and all tickets are available for purchase now at www.greatvegasbeer.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the event always benefit local non-profits, this year including The Folded Flag Foundation, the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, Goodie Two Shoes Foundation and the Nevada Craft Brewers Association. More information about Great Vegas Festival of Beer is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @GreatVegasBeer, or on the website at http://greatvegasbeer.com/.

Motley Brews will host a Beer and Sear craft beer and culinary ‘beerunch’ at Searsucker Las Vegas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. In addition to exclusive beer tastings, guests will experience a decadent preview of what is to come at Great Vegas, where Stephen La Sala, executive chef of Searsucker, will cook a variety of beer-inspired dishes created specifically for festival attendees with VIP tickets.

About Motley Brews:

More information about Motley Brews is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MotleyBrews, or on their website at http://motleybrews.com/.

Perlis and Haig Pick: South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

July 1, 2017 by Michael Perlis

Recently, thanks mainly to the efforts of my sister-in-law Elizabeth (Liz) Haig, we attended the 4^th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival. Our spouses Karen and Brian tagged along.

Since Liz went to all this trouble. I’d like to share her thoughts on the event and introduce you all to the person who has really been like my sister for about half [geez!] of my life.

Here’s Liz…

The South Bay Beer and Wine Festival in Rolling Hills Estates is a fundraiser for the El Segundo, Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay Sunrise Rotary clubs who volunteer and contribute to many worthwhile charities in our community.

It was a sold out event with nearly 1,300 guests. There were about 30 breweries and almost 20 wineries scheduled to pour and many local restaurants and other vendors serving up great food. I enjoyed several tastings that I thought I’d comment on a few that I really liked. I couldn’t get to all of them.

Kinship Winery in Paso Robles had a very nice Pinot Noir, it was light and refreshing and not too sweet. The Chardonnay was mild and had a fruity after taste. A portion of their proceeds goes towards helping children in Guatemala.

I tasted a flavored cognac, vodka and fruit juice blend called Mascarade with club soda and a mint leaf. It was very good and reminded me of a Mai Tai. And I really like Mai Tais.

Common Cider Company had several interesting flavors and their drinks were about 8% alcohol. We tried the Hibiscus Saison and Blackberry Sangria. Hibiscus Saison tasted like a mild cranberry drink without the tartness. The Blackberry Sangria was fruity and smooth.

Tito’s Vodka was serving up cool, refreshing cocktails and since it was extremely hot, it helped cool things down.

As for the beers, there were so many to choose from with a wide variety to sample. Absolution, Arts District, Knee Deep, RIPP Beer, Ironfire, Mother Earth Breweries and Scholb Premium Ales had some interesting new beers.

Red Car Brewery, Rock & Brews and Truxton’s had delicious sliders. Wa Dining, Pei Wei Asian, Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ, Tamiza’s Treats and Luna Grill had very tasting offers and it was nice to have a variety of different food choices.

Live music from the band, Detour, who played pop rock classics made us feel like dancing and really added to the atmosphere. I would definitely go again next year!

Thanks Liz.

I have a few more things to add.

On the day of the event [May 21^st] we were experiencing unseasonably warm weather, which made it a perfect day to get out of the Santa Clarita Valley and head down to the South Bay. It was somewhat warm down there too [although not like here] so it was a perfect day to focus on beer, which is what I did.

I had no idea there was such a craft beer movement going on in the South Bay. That area was well represented as well as other parts of LA and beyond.

Here were some of my favorites…

Arts District Brewing Company

Avery Brewing

Brouwerij West

Eagle Rock Brewery

House Beer

Iron Triangle

Phantom Carriage

Smog City Brewing Company

Three Weavers Brewing Company

Iron Triangle’s Dark Ale got my nod a second time [see my Masters of Taste article] for my favorite beer.

Also, Phantom Carriage gave me a good education on the purposeful use of brettanomyces in beer, which is usually a no-no for wine. They are definitely worth a trip to Carson to check out.

All in all, a nice way to spend a warm day out of the SCV.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.