West Coast Brew Fest 2013
By John Benton
Staff Writer
One of my favorite times of year has come and gone again. May always brings about events that center around one of my favorite subjects: beer. The American Craft Beer Week came May 13-19 this year. The Raley Field Brew Fest is coming in June. The California State Fair has a Craft Brewing competition. There are many events out there for beer enthusiasts, but by far my favorite each year is the West Coast Brew Fest held at beautiful Miller Park. This year was the 14th year of the brew fest, and it was larger and better than ever.
Courtesy Photo, happy group at the Brew Fest
Brought to you by Creative Cats as well as a number of sponsors (Avenue Illumination and Party Prep-Natural Energy and hangover Prevention, among others), the West Coast Brew Fest is the culminating event which happens after the Commercial Craft Competition. The Brew Fest is “dedicated to celebrating the significance of California, Washington and Oregon in the development of the Micro Brew industry. “Most beer enthusiasts feel that the West Coast is where micro-brews began. It is certainly home to one of the largest numbers of micro-brewers and craft brewers in the US. A micro-brew is defined as one that is very limited and only produces less than 15,000 barrels of beer per year. Many of these are considered craft brews. Brewers of craft-beers focus mainly on the quality of ingredients and the finished product than on the quantity made for distribution.
Each year, two weeks before the Brew Fest, the Commercial Craft Competition is held to find the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners for each of 18 categories. The categories range from light and dark lagers to ales and stouts. Also included are imported beers and hard ciders. Over 60 breweries joined in the festivities this year. Nine of the winning breweries are native to California. River City, New Helvetia, and American River breweries hail from right here in Sacramento. Although many of the brewers for this craft beer competition come from the West Coast, many of them are from across the US, and even as far away as the Czech Republic and Bavaria. The West Coast Brew Fest samples a wide selection of flavors from all around the world.
One of the newcomers to the West Coast Brew Fest, as well as the 3 award winner in the competition is New Helvetia Brewery. Located at 18th St. and Broadway in Sacramento, New Helvetia brings back to life one of the West Coast’s earlier breweries. In 1890, the Buffalo Brewing Company of Sacramento was founded by Herman Grau, and it was based on successful breweries of Buffalo, New York. It became one of the most successful breweries West of the Mississippi. Buffalo closed in 1945 due to the rise of national breweries. New Helvetia’s stated mission is to “Bring Back Buffalo Beer.” Dave Gull and Brewmaster Brian joined forces and together combine old world recipe ideas with modern techniques to create some amazing beers. Their three winning beers were the Rough and Ready Amber Ale (1st Place), Flood Plain English Ale (2nd Place), and the Homeland Stout (1st Place).
Courtesy Photo, the Tasting Cup.
Another newer brewery to the Sacramento area which took 3rd Place for Light Ales at last year’s Commercial Craft Competition was Track 7 Brewery. Some of the longest lines all day were queued up to sample from Track 7’s kegs. Track 7 has taken over an industrial space over by Sac City College to make some of Sacramento’s best beer, in my humble opinion. They don’t serve food, and they don’t worry about appearances... they just brew amazing beer. One of my favorites, a strong (9.5%) Double IPA called Left Eye Right Eye, ran out way too quickly.
Many people enjoy IPAs, but are afraid of the double. I really enjoy HOPPS. Left Eye Right Eye has a strong, clean hoppy flavor, but is not bitter. Full bodied, it fills your mouth with happiness. For those a little more hop-squeamish, their Panic IPA (7%) kept the sampling crowd coming back for more. Track 7 beers can be purchased in growlers at the brewery on West Pacific Ave (see website url below).
Each year, the West Coast Brew Fest raises money to help the Greater Sacramento Urban League and the Make A Difference Foundation. “The Greater Sacramento Urban League, a traditionally African American organization, assists all people in achieving self-sufficiency and equality. We accomplish our mission through direct service, advocacy and education, and collaborative partnerships.” 3000 tickets are sold for the Brew Fest and sponsors give their support to help out these local charities. With Tokenless (read ulimited) Beer Tasting of over 140 different beers, great food from local vendors, & live music along the beautiful Sacramento River, this event is is truly the best brew fest on the West Coast!
The 2013 West Coast Brew Fest was a wonderful event. It even hosted live music (The Mock Ups) and had some amazing food vendors (G-Dubbs BBQ, Xochimilco Mexican Food, Dave’s Dawgs, and Capital Concession’s Philly Cheese Steak). A perfect day along the Sacramento River at Miller Park, Marina View Drive, filled with unlimited beer samples made for great times. Thanks again, Creative Cats, I look forward to next year’s Brew fest.
Photo by John Benton: The Mock Ups perform at the festival
For more information about the West Coast Brew Fest, or any other events hosted by Creative CATS, visit http://www.matsonian.com/home.html For more information about the Sacramento Urban League or to find a way to help them out, visit them at http://gsul.org/ For information about New Helvetia Brewery, visit them at http://newhelvetiabrew.com/ For more information about Track 7 Brewery, go to http://track7brewing.com/
"The West Coast will forever be known as the origin of the Micro-Brew, and the revolution across the nation against low-quality, low-variety beers. The West Coast Brewers Festival is the first Brew Fest dedicated to celebrating the significance of California, Washington and Oregon in the development of the Micro Brew industry."
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