California Beer Festival: The State's Finest Brews Pour in San Dimas This Weekend

By Kelly Grace Thomas

On the first (unofficial) weekend of fall, what is better than enjoying a full-flavored craft beer with those you love? Enjoying 85! Or at least not having to choose just one:)  This weekend, beer lovers can taste bold IPAs, subtle Saisons and many more of the finest brews the Golden State has to offer at the California Beer Festival. Held lakeside at the beautiful Frank G. Bonelli Park in San Dimas on September 12-13, the two-day, multi-themed festival has a little something for everyone.

While providing a safe and fun atmosphere, the California Beer Festival aims toward the education and appreciation of various craft and microbrews. As California’s largest traveling beer event, Saturday’s “Craft Beer Heaven” offers 85 ice-cold craft beers and ciders from local and state-wide breweries such as: Alosta Brewing Co., Angel City Brewery, Fireman’s Brew, Elysian Brewing, Karl Strauss, Wicks Brewing, Ballast Point, Lagunitas and many more. Besides its offering of outstanding pours, Saturday will also feature live performances from popular local bands, games such as bikini bocce ball and delicious food options such as garlic fries, sliders and tacos. All individuals must be 21 years of age or older with a valid ID to enter the California Beer Festival on Saturday. Tickets include either VIP or general admission and come with a souvenir tasting cup.

Sunday aims for more family-focused fun at the California Beer Festival. Appropriately named “Hamburgers and Hops” Sunday is a picnic style day for all ages to enjoy. At this outdoor event, attendees are invited to pull up blankets, umbrellas and chairs as they enjoy juicy hamburgers and top tapping performances from a dynamic musical lineup including Foreverland, a nationally renowned 14-piece Michael Jackson tribute band. Sunday families can either purchase general admission tickets or receive a souvenir cup for up to four craft beer samplings. Food and additional beer will be available for purchase.

So whether you want sunshine and a few sips, or a passport tour of California’s finest, the California Beer Festival offers the perfect opportunity to pamper the palette and and soak in the outdoors. Edible Skinny will be there, making life more delicious. Will you?

Purchase tickets at http://californiabeerfestival.com.

The 4th Annual Beer Art Music Fest, Proof that God Loves Us

The 4th Annual Beer Art Music Fest, Proof that God Loves Us
By Kelly Grace Thomas


Ben Franklin once said, "Beer is proof God loves us." The attendees of the 4th annual Beer Art Music Festival (BAM Fest) couldn't agree more. Sponsored by the eclectic 8th Street Art Center in Santa Monica, this years BAM hosted over 40 plus local and domestic Microbrews, as well as toe-tapping music and innovative art.  While all the brews at the event were frothy and delicious, there were a few undoubtable standouts!

Among the favorites was Los Angeles's Eastside Golden Road Brewing. With crisp and bold brews these craft beers have gone from the best kept hipster secret to now gracing the aisles of Whole Foods across the city.  Beers poured included their Point the Way IPA, Golden Road Hefeweizen, Burning Bush Smoked IPA, Golden Road Berliner Weisse, and their Opuntiale, a Honey Blonde beer brewed with prickly pear fruit, cactus honey, and mesquite-smoked cactus paddles (aka Nopales).

Another unique brew included Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale from Fish Brewing Company with subtle notes of vanilla and pistachio.  Dogfish Head, a well-respected label from Delaware, which was featured in the Eye-opening documentary Beer Wars, filled the seasonal spot with a spicy and warm Pumpkin Ale.  San Diego's Ballast Point was also in attendance with their unapologetic Big Eye IPA and Longfin Lager.

Some other labels included Angel City (a local Los Angeles Downtown brewery who recently made a splash with their Avocado Ale), Cismontane, Sierra Nevada, Duvel, Stone, Smog City and more.

While good brew and beautiful So Cal weather took the main stage, the festival also featured art by Cheryl Walker and Yvette Gellis, among others.  And what's a day of drinking without music?  Bands like Cory Phillips and the Groove Orchestra, Ben Bateman, and a few others provide the perfect tunes to enjoy hoppy beverages.

The 18th Street Art Center also features festivals like Crush, a sampling of some of the best local and regional wineries and restaurants in the area has to offer.  If the 18th Street Arts Center hasn't been on your radar stay posted, this small artist-inspired organization puts together the perfect spread the city's best drinks, culinary creation, art and music, all in a one stop, for one price gathering under the beautiful Santa Monica sunshine.