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BREWS

			California Beer Festival will once again offer our signature Brews on tap!

			Award-Winning Beer Handcrafted in Juneau, Alaska. We have the honor of handcrafting some of the country's most award-winning beers in one of the most majestic settings on earth. Alaskan Brewing Co. has grown to become the most award-winning craft brewery in the history of the Great American Beer Festival and expanded distribution to 10 western states.

			Anacapa Brewing Company was established in the summer of 2000 when the demand for craft brews in Ventura needed to be satisfied. After 7 successful years of operations, ABC experienced a rebirth when current owner Danny Saldena took over in 2007. Upon the hiring of brewer Adam Ball, Anacapa has expanded its horizons with the offering of many different ales and lagers. Currently, the only brewery producing beer in Ventura county, ABC continues to push the envelope and service the people of Ventura with only the finest brews.

			The Anderson Valley beers are handcrafted in the tradition of our ancestors. Only the purest natural ingredients are used to create these exceptional brews. Pristine water, rich in bicarbonates and chemical free, is drawn from deep wells on the brewery grounds. Neither artificial preservatives nor flavor destructive pasteurization processes are ever employed in the making of our beer. Select malted grains are milled, then mashed for ninety minutes, to help create the smoothest, fullest flavored brews possible. The grain extract, now called wort, our pristine well water and several varieties of the finest Pacific Northwest hops are then vigorously boiled. Special proprietary yeast is then added at just the right temperature and degree of oxygenation. After about 10 days, the fermented wort is chilled and, four days later, cold filtered in order to remove the haziness from the beer. Throughout our expansion, we have continued to produce beers with the same quality and commitment that has made our brewery famous. And best of all, it's easy to find the Anderson Valley Beers near you!

			BIERBITZCH Legend has it, in the late 1800's, Josef a Czechoslovakian trained brewmaster left his native Czechoslovakia in pursuit of the most pristine water on Earth to make his Golden Pilsner. After years of trekking virtually undiscovered arctic lands, Josef settles in a tint village in a country that is now known as Iceland. Josef and his sons, the cold warriors, perfected their brewing skills over years and became a family of brewmasters.

			We started Blue Moon and began brewing our first beers back in 1995 at the Sandlot in Denver, Colorado. The goal was to create uniquely-flavored, highly-drinkable, handcrafted beers. (And, of course, have a little fun along the way).

			Bootlegger's Brewery is a local microbrewery located in Fullerton, California. We are a small artisan brewery established with the mission of providing fresh and unique craft beer to the local community and beyond. Our unique small batch process makes us one of the most flexible breweries in Southern California. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver a wide variety of styles and flavors in our beer with the highest level of quality.



			The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, and it helped catalyze what became known as the American craft beer revolution. Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer. It passionately pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by constantly searching for the world's finest ingredients. The Company remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While Samuel Adams is the country's largest-selling American brewer, it accounts for just under one percent of the U.S. beer market. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

			The Brewhouse restaurant and brewery has been serving great food and award winning beers in Santa Barbara since 1998. We currently feature an ever changing lineup of 12 to 16 handcrafted ales and lagers all brewed right on the premises. Join us for a sunny afternoon on the patio or enjoy live music Wednesday through Saturday nights.

			Creekside Brewing Company is the brainchild of John Moule and Eric Beaton, two longtime craft brewers and beer enthusiasts (beer geeks). The exceptionally scenic brewpub location is highlighted with patio dining suspended over San Luis Creek. John and Eric brew many favorite ales such as Pale ale, IPA, Hefewiezen, Stout and Porter. Seasonal beers are introduced on a regular basis. In addition to hand crafted beers made on sight, Creekside Brewing Company will offer many hard to find bottled beer selections from around the globe, local wines from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara and fine spirits. With interesting and complimentary backgrounds, John and Eric teamed up to complete this monumentous task with the love of craft beer motivating them all the way. Eric is a College Professor teaching Materials Engineering. John is a Biologist and Environmental Consultant.

			Overlooking the wild & scenic Deschutes River in Central Oregon, Deschutes Brewery has brewed exceptional handcrafted ales since 1988. Starting as a small brew pub serving locals their favorite beers in downtown Bend, Deschutes now sells beer across the western U.S. Deschutes has maintained its commitment to innovation and exceptional quality with flagship beers such as Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Black Butte Porter, as well as new additions like The Abyss and Hop Trip.

			Douglas Martin, owner of Einhorn Beer Co, is a Chicago-born native who lived for almost 2 decades in Germany and worked extensively in the beer and beverage industry throughout the country. According to him, the most inspiring time was spent in two-year program in Munichat Doemens Beverage Academy, one of three schools for brewers in Germany. "My time in Bavaria was exciting and eye-opening. The Bavarians love their beer and I too discovered this passion in probably the most international, exciting and traditional city in Germany." In 2008 he decided to make the leap of faith. His goal now: to introduce some of Germany's most popular styles to California, and maybe even make a twist on a traditional style. All of their full-bodied brews are made with the best, German raw materials available, brewed just the way one might discover on your travels in and around Germany.

			We've been putting the NEW in BELGIUM since 1991. It starts with the Belgian brewing tradition of ignoring tradition. Add in our Belgian brewmaster Peter Bouckaert and his imaginative blend of brewing delicious beers with loads of character and aspiring ingredients; and finish with the all-deserving, ever-enhancing New Belgium Beer Glass.



			In December 2000, Rob and Ed were sitting on a steep hillside of an extinguishing brushfire above the Glendale Mountains. They were staring into the midnight sky, dreaming of the cool smooth taste of a fresh beer to quench their scorched dry mouths. From this point, these two Los Angeles based firemen set out to brew the best Fireman's Brew in the world.

			It began innocently enough: a couple of brothers-in-law sitting around and dreaming of ways to rule the world. Instead, their search for a decent ale to accompany their plotting led them to brew their own. Today the Firestone Walker Brew Dogs, coached by Matt "Batman" Brynildson and led by Dustin Kral, brew consistently brilliant and award-winning ales.

			The Great Beer Co., Inc was founded in 1997 by four homebrewers with a common interest in brewing great beer. Our founders were a PhD, a CPA, a computer whiz and a producer of TV shows. An eclectic group that wanted to introduce a really great tasting light beer to Southern California. Our flagship Kölsch beer was finally settled upon after three months and over 25 recipe changes to arrive at what the Celebrator has reported as the "most authentic Kölsch in America."







			It all starts with just one man, but it's not down to a single 'eureka' moment. The history of GUINNESS beer, draught, or stout is a stirring table of inspiration, dedication, ingenuity and effort. It's over two centuries of sublime brewing craft, a remarkable knack for spreading the word and more than a few leaps of faith. It's the story of how a unique Irish stout became, with a little magic, one of the World's best loved brews.

			Brewed since 1863, Heineken was the first imported beer to reach America's shores in the 1880s and following the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Since our inception in 1995, Heineken USA has been a leader in the imported beer segment, and has built a reputation for high quality and for excellence-both in the products we sell and the manner in which we conduct our business.

			Island Brewing Company has been brewing in Carpinteria, CA since July, 2000 and has steadily gained a following of enthusiasts along the Santa Barbara coast. Owner and brewer Paul Wright began his brewing adventures after receiving a homebrew kit for Christmas in 1991 in Novato, CA. He joined the local brew club and started winning awards for his beers. Soon he found himself president and heading up the Marin County State Fair competitions, and after burning out all the burners on the stove, he was banished to brewing outdoors. A certified beer judge, he worked at Marin Brewing Company before starting off on his own, moving south to Carpinteria. Now a family run brewery, Island Brewing Company has won awards on both the state and national level. We serve local bars, restaurants, and retail outlets and have five and fifteen-gallon kegs and 22-ounce bottles available for weddings, caterers, as well as for thirsty individuals that happen to come our way. We've now opened a new brewery in beautiful downtown Carpinteria and hope you'll stop by to visit soon.

			Karl Strauss was destined to brew beer. Born in 1912 on the premises of his father's brewery in Minden, Germany, he spent his childhood playing amid beer barrels and sacks of fresh hops and barley. At age 19, he left home for Bavaria, the brewing capital of Germany, to attend the Technical University of Munich-Weihenstephan. There he earned a degree in the science and practice of malting and brewing, as well as a Master Brewer certification. Given the political situation in 1930s Germany, Karl had to look abroad for work. In February of 1939, he boarded the SS Manhatten and set sail for America, in pursuit of opportunity. His job search led him to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home to one of the most famous breweries in the United States.

			Kona Brewing Company was started by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa. The pair had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. Their love of Hawaii, and a desire to protect the pristine environment here, brought them to the Big Island to fulfill their vision. Kona Brewing continues to be headquartered right where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island.

			From our earliest days of striving to make consistently good beer, and instead making beer that ranged from vile, to barely drinkable, to wonderful, to elegant, to questionable-at-best. From being castigated by our West Marin neighbors to finally suffering an 'eviction' by our West Marin septic system. From landing in the welcoming arms of Petaluma, and actually getting our beer into bottles, onto the streets, and into the hands of sympathatic beer geeks, to steadily losing less money each month. From all this and more, Lagunitas Brewing Company is emerging as a battle-tested brewery capable of making great beer out of goat's milk, brambles, and asphalt on the surface of the Moon, if need be.

			The Jacob Leinenkugal Brewing Company, the seventh-oldest brewery in the United States, is the oldest business in Chippewa Falls and one of the oldest in the state. Our commitment and tradition of brewing quality products is matched only by the wants of generations of genuine beer-loving customers.





			Negra Modelo is a 5.3% abv. First brewed in Mexico by Austrian immigrants, and was introduced as a draft beer in 1926. Negra Modelo comes in an unusually shaped, wide brown bottle with a trademark gold label.

			We've been putting the NEW in BELGIUM since 1991. It starts with the Belgian brewing tradition of ignoring tradition. Add in our Belgian brewmaster Peter Bouckaert and his imaginative blend of brewing delicious beers with loads of character and aspiring ingredients; and finish with the all-deserving, ever-enhancing New Belgium BeerGlass.

			Newcastle Brown Ale was originally created by Colonel J. Porter in 1925. The recipe, however, was adapted over a period of three years to create the flavour that is distinct to the beer today. When first exhibited, Newcastle Brown Ale swept the board at the prestigious 1928 International Brewery Awards. The gold medals from these awards are still featured on the label. The blue star logo was introduced to the Newcastle Brown Ale bottle in 1928, the year after the beer was launched. The five points of the star represent the five founding breweries of Newcastle. One of these, John Barras, is now commemorated in the pub chain of the same name.

			The Packinghouse Brewing Company name is related to a time in our not so distant past when citrus packinghouses dotted the city of Riverside and surrounding areas. The California citrus industry, born in Riverside, rapidly brought prosperity and fame to our region. The brewery is a tribute to the hard working laborers creating the backbone of such an exhausting industry, to their determination and dedication to the industry as well as to their families. PB Co. is honored to carry on the same tradition of a strong work ethic and support to our community, industry and families that helped create such a rich heritage for our city. As a result, the founders of PB Co. have blended a respect for the cultural heritage with a passion for finely crafted micro brews. The result is an offering of unique and signature styles that are as rich as the cultural backdrop in which they were conceived.

			The Peroni company was established under founding family name in the town of Vigevano, Italy (1846). The company was moved to Rome by Giovanni Peroni in 1864, six years prior to the establishment of the city as capital centre in 1870. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the company became one of the most prominent brewing companies in the newly unified Italian nation. The company's brand strategy continued to refine itself to match industry trends of the 1980s. By the 1990s, both the Peroni brand name and product line were distributed and known worldwide.



			Here you'll find a world of extraordinary tastes waiting to be explored on draft including our year-round beers, rotating seasonals, as well as a few unique Pyramid offerings you won't find anywhere else. Enjoy a pint, explore a Pyramid Sampler, or order a growler of brewery fresh beer to go. Pair your brew with a tasty selection off of our full menu of classic brew house cuisine.

			Paul Shipman and Gordon Bowker actually founded Redhook brewery in Seattle in May of 1981. The original Redhook Ale was modeled after spicy Belgian ales. Seattle beer drinkers met it with surprise and maybe a little confusion. They affectionately referred to it as "banana beer" because of its banana like flavor.

			What started off as a simple love for craft beer, turned into an ambition to create a taste of our own. Red Mile Road brewed its first craft beer back in 2006. Since then, we've been creating craft beers of superior standards. Our goal is to brew unique quality beers, while upholding the historic traditions of American Microbreweries

			The Santa Barbara Brewing Company has been open every day for almost 14 years at 501 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, California. Visit our adjoining Sports Lounge and shot bar (just in the back at the corner of Fig & Hale).

			Shock Top is an unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale (also known as a "White" or "Wit" beer due to its appearance) that is naturally cloudy with a billowy white foam head, light golden hue and slight taste of orange peel and coriander.

			In 1979, Ken Grossman began building a small brewery in the town of Chico, California. His goal: to brew exceptional ales and lagers. Today, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is considered the premier craft brewery in the United States. And the beer? Critics proclaim it "Among the best brewed anywhere in the world."

			A premium lager made from 100 percent malted barley and brewed from the finest ingredients. Singha has acquired 7 gold medals from tasting institutes around the world as a result of it's rich flavor.



			Stella Artois was first brewed as a Christmas beer in Lauven. It was name Stella, from the star of Christmas, and Artois after Sebastian Artois, founder of the brewery. It's brewed to perfection using the original Stella Artois yeast and the celebrated Saaz hops. It's the optimum premium lager, with it's full flavour and clean crisp taste.

			Stone Brewing Co, named "All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth. The Most popularand highest-rated brewery-ever." - Beer Advocate Dec 2008. And for the second year in a row, "All Time Top Brewers" – Beer Advocate Jan 2010. Stone Brewing was created by Steve Wagner and Greg Koch in 1996 and they've continued to receive national and global recognition based on it’s "big character" beers, or the traditional "hoppy" flavors of a west-coast craft beer. Stone Brewing Co. provides complimentary tours Monday through Friday, 2pm & 6pm, Saturday at 12, 2, 3, 4, 6, & 7pm, and Sunday at 2, 3, & 4pm. The Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is open 7 days a week featuring a rotating menu of organic, fre--range and local ingredients.

			Strongbow® is a crisp, premium imported cider from the U.K. which delivers maximum refreshment in an authentic, traditional English recipe. At the heart of every successful brand is a clear message. Strongbow® is built on the promise of maximum refreshment of body and mind - through this all the characteristics of the brand are connected. With its clean refreshing taste and striking livery, Strongbow® appeals to import beer drinkers everywhere.

			Award winning German Crafted beer. Brewed in Davis California, Sudwerk is America's response to imported brews.

			Early American brewers adapted traditional European brewing techniques to the unique ingredients, climates, and tastes of the New World. At Telegraph Brewing Co., our beers are handcrafted in that same manner at our brewery in Santa Barbara, California. Making use of as many locally grown ingredients as we can, Telegraph's ales embody our philosophy that a local brewery should reflect the traditions of its region. Our goal is to produce uniquely American beer styles that are imbued with a spirit of invention and creativity, but always with a nod toward history.

			The legend goes like this: During the 1970's, a decade remembered by some for its various social movements, Kurt and Rob Widmer began to formulate a movement of their own. After graduating from Oregon State University (Rob) and the University of Oregon (Kurt), respectively, the Widmer brothers set out into the "real world" only to find out the "real world" wasn't for them. Each falling victim to the proverbial "quarter-life crisis," fueled in part by jobs that barely benefited their wallets (let alone their souls), Kurt and Rob Widmer set forth on a path toward opening the brewery we know today.

			More than just a great steakhouse, Winchesters serves up the freshest seafood, succulent chicken, and even some exotic meats like venison, buffalo, and ostrich. But don't forget about those Certified Angus Beef™ steaks. Whether it's the one pound Rib-Eye, the petite Top Sirloin, the New York or Tri-Tip they're always thick and juicy and grilled to perfection. Lighter fare includes great burgers, salads and grilled sandwiches. Their forty draft beers along with extensive Wine and Martini lists will round out a truly memorable meal. Two heated patios and ample parking available.

			Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. was founded in 1997 by Rob & Laina McFerren in the 'burbs of North County, Los Angeles. Our goal is to provide a place where guests can experience our Award Winning Ales along with great food from our extensive menu in a comfortable atmosphere. Additionally, we serve a great selection of guest beers and our "Brewer's Special Selection" with hand-picked ales from around the world. Cheers!

			Woodchuck Draft Cider is a hard cider handcrafted with apples in Green Mountain Beverage's state-of-the-art facility in Middlebury, Vermont. The original recipe, Woodchuck Amber Cider, was created in 1991 in Proctorsville, Vermont. The Woodchuck Draft Cider family has grown to include Granny Smith, 802 (Dark & Dry), Pear, and a brand new selection of Limited Releases. More information can be found at www.woodchuck.com.

			Wyders Wyder's Cider is hand-crafted using the finest ingredients available. Our cider apples are grown in premium apple orchards of Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest United States. These apples contribute to the characteristic aroma, tangy taste and thirst quenching appeal of Wyder's Ciders. More information can be found at www.wyders.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

Your ticket to the California Beer Festival will also include great entertainment from 6 live Bands!

Band Line-up

	Rey Fresco		DR. M the #1 Party Band in Ventura County, we'll put you in a good mood...		Orlando Napier
	My Brothers Band		Shawn Jones		The Blue Baron Band

BBQ

	Cash prize and brand new smoker to the winner! Globe Cafe Ceramic Smoker from Barbeques Galore retail value $1,000.00		BBQ cook off is sold out. See you at CBF!
	THE CONTESTS 1. Teams up to 4 people only, may cook with any type of wood and/or charcoal. Other flammables (propane, compressed or liquid gas, etc.) may be used within the cooker ONLY to START the INITIAL fire. No type of flammable other than wood or charcoal may be used within the cooker once the meat has been placed there. Flammables may be used outside and away from the cooker to make additional coals. Local fire and safety laws may prevent the use of any type of gas anywhere on the grounds at any time, and, if so, these laws prevail. 2. Electrical devices may be used within the cooker as long as they do not directly generate heat. Approved devices include rotisseries, fans and delivery systems for approved fuels. Electric smokers, holding ovens or containers or any devices with heat producing electrical coils are not allowed. 3. There will be four categories, Chicken, Pork Ribs, Beef and one open category. The Open Category will be judged based on using BEER as an ingredient in your grill entry. Meat must be cooked on-site at the contest from a raw state whether fresh or frozen. Meat for all categories may not be pre-cooked, sauced, injected, marinated, cured in any way, or otherwise pre-treated prior to the official meat inspection. Meat must be maintained at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit prior to cooking, and at or above 140 degrees during and after cooking. Judging of the competition will be blind judging. Each team will be provided a box to place the entry into and one team member will be responsible for bringing the entry(s) to the judging tent on time. Any meat brought to the judges table after deadline will be disqualified from that category. 4. After your meat has been submitted to the judging table, your team is obligated to sample a minimum of 50, 2oz. samples of your meat to the CBF guests. The general public will also be able to vote for their favorite BBQ team, so your samples are VERY important! CONTESTANT RESPONSIBILITIES Each team competing shall supply ALL of his/her own meat, cooking ingredients, individual cooking devices (portable stoves, wood, or charcoal, etc., No Gas) utensils. We provide a 12x12 area, two tables and an umbrella for shade and ice. All contestants MUST adhere to all electrical, fire, and other codes set forth in the acceptance packet. Teams will be allowed to set up Friday September 17th (the day before the festival). WATER AND ELECTRICITY Water will be available in selected locations. Electricity will not be provided, use of generators is not allowed. ACCEPTANCE The initial entry fee of $175 includes: a 12x12 area, two tables, an umbrella for shade, ice and entry into all 4 category(s). Space is LIMITED and acceptance of each team will be voted on by the California Beer Festival (CBF) and BBQ cook off committee. To be considered for a spot in the CBF BBQ cook off, you must have your contract in with payment in full by July 23, 2010. Verbal or written acceptance / non acceptance will be given to designated chief cook, acceptance packets will be mailed out to each team. Checks will only be cashed once your team has been accepted to compete. CHECKS should be made payable to: California Beer Festival All entry forms should be mailed to: California Beer Festival and BBQ Cook Off P.O. Box 5131 Ventura CA, 93005 THE CALIFORNIA BEER FESTIVAL LLC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS AS THE SITUATION WARRANTS. ALL DECISIONS OF THE CBF, COMMITTEE AND JUDGES ARE FINAL. VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CONTEST MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION, EXPULSION FROM THE GROUNDS AND/OR DISQUALIFICATION FROM FUTURE PARTICIPATION. BBQ cook off is sold out. See you at CBF!

VENDORS

			www.bbqgalore.com

			www.venturaharley.com





			Delicious Pizza

			Famous Tri-tip Sandwiches

			House made Pretzels & Corn on the Cob

			-Pork Poorboy Sandwiches -BBQ Ribs -BBQ Chicken -Beans -Coleslaw -Chili -Cornbread

HOTEL SPECIALS

			The Clock Tower Inn is steps away from The California Beer Festival and located in the heart of Down Town Ventura. Your hotel room will include two Tickets to the California Beer Festival and a complementary breakfast for two. Package Price: $175 Promo Code: CBF10 To book your room please give Clock Tower Inn a call at (805) 643-1432 or (800) 727-1027 and give them the promo code listed.

			The Beautiful Ventura Beach Marriot is located 1.82 miles away from the California Beer Festival. With this package you will receive hotel room for a one night stay and two tickets to CBF. Experience the true California spirit of Ventura Beach and the gracious hospitality and inviting accommodations of the Ventura Beach Marriott. With uncrowded beaches, harbor cruises, whale watching, culture, intriguing history, festive shops and many dining and entertainment options all nearby, guests will have endless fun discovering Ventura County . Explore the sites, connect with nature or simply relax in our heated outdoor pool located in a lush, tropical setting. Delight in the flavor of Baja Coastal Cuisine at our Cafe Pacifico restaurant or loosen up in the Lounge offering trendy spirits and an extensive wine list highlighting local vineyards or unwind in one of our Ventura , California hotel's 285 spacious guestrooms that feature luxurious Marriott bedding. Package Price: $189 Reserve Online Now

			For generations, The Historic Pierpont Inn has served as a timeless backdrop for ocean view getaways. The Pierpont Inn and Spa is located 1.22 away from the California Beer Festival, your room package includes two tickets to the California Beer Festival and a complementary breakfast. Package Price: $180 Promo Code: CBF To book your room please give Pierpont Inn and Spa a call at (805) 643-6144 and give them the promo code listed.

FRIENDS OF THE CBF

T-SHIRTS

CBF T-Shirts now available for Women and Men! Order yours today!

PRESS

DISARRAY MAGAZINE
Ventura's Calfornia Beer Festival Review
POSTED BY WESLEY BAUMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009

When I moved to Southern California just over a year ago, I had no expectations for quality beer; I didn't expect America's wine country to have any skill or interest for that matter in brewing decent ales. With an afternoon at the First Annual California Beer Festival in Ventura, CA, I was proven quite incorrect in my assessment of So Cal beer appreciation. The event provided a great selection of beer, great live music, and a laid back mood that the patrons created.

Upon arrival I was blown away at the turn out. I saddled up to the line, which snaked its way around the fountains across from the historical San Buenaventura Mission and moving, literally, around the block along Thompson Blvd. As I made an effort to get access to this event, I had come across the information that the event had been sold out on pre-sale tickets, with those interested at trying their luck encouraged to do so, but with no guarantee of entry. So, I tried my luck at the event gate and luckily, as a member of the press, took 'cutsies' in front of a few hundred people to get my cup and an arbitrary amount of tickets, which each counted for a beer. (Unfortunately, the 'ticket' idea did not fly and was not carried out too well. The tickets served as a meaningless item to hand out to vendors - who didn't even ask for them).

Nonetheless, this first ever event in Ventura, CA provided fine crafted brews including Firestone, Pyramid, Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, and the ever popular New Belgium Brewing. However, these beers are perennial and national favorites that everyone knows and probably has in their fridge, so to prevent wasting my time, I decided to avoid these beers. What I was looking for was some of my local favorites and those that I knew of locally in Ventura, but had rarely, or never, had the chance to taste.

I have to admit that I was a kid in a candy store at this point. I am blessed by not having the belly to prove my love of beer, but trust me, I am a fan. I know what a lauder ton is, I know what hops are, a maltiness, and the big difference between a Lager and an Ale. Now, I could take the time to review every beer I tasted, and there are about a dozen, (I was trashed) but instead I want to keep this piece brief and tell you about my standout showings. There were all sorts of beer on tap, 2-5 at almost every vendor, but I was not going to taste them all for two reasons: one, I knew a lot of these beers intimately, and secondly, I would have been unable to write this piece if I had even tried to partake in them all. It would have been dangerous and stupid to have tried. I am a professional after all.

What follows are a few standout beers from what I put in my face and bloodstream. The beers mentioned here are local favorites and some interesting brews that deserve a mention for reasons from complexity, flavor, and because I am partial to a few of the breweries based on regular patronage.

Let's start out with our biggest disappointment, and when I say disappointment it is simply based on the fact that I set a high bar and I want a different interpretation of classics. You could say that when I drink a beer I want a 'cover band' version of what you would traditionally find when you hear 'Oatmeal Stout'. Sometimes, you just want to hear 'Abbey Road' with a metal/rock take, you know what I mean? With that said, Telegraph Brewing has been doing their dirty deed (meant lovingly) since December of 2006, so I chock their oatmeal stout up to being new. As a young brewery, I can understand going with some standards, but an oatmeal stout needs to hit you, and this stout I sampled was a bit muted; I need my stout using its 'outside voice'. This classic oatmeal stout did not come up to par with my favorites put out by the likes of Rogue and Alaskan Brewing. I tasted a lack of body in their version and overall it came out a bit flat. I felt a brewery that had the same name as a street I drive on would give up a more full bodied stout with a more pungent roasted aroma and a stronger finish on the after taste where you almost breathe the beer after a sip. Bottom line, compared to other beers I have tasted of the same type and better quality, I was not impressed with their oatmeal stout.

However, I did not discount their brewery in its totality. In speaking with one of the boys on hand, having a smoke and pouring beers, I held out tremendous hope for their Reserve Wheat Berliner Weizen. It is their Cezan 'flagship beer' but sadly I could not confirm the quality of said beer as it was not up for tasting. Additionally, they only do it a few times a year; but it sounds interesting should you ever get a chance to go a few rounds with a pint or two. Look for that from Telegraph, and others as they tend to try and stay away from the standard things like blondes and pilsners and focus more on full bodied flavors.

Besides beer, the event also provided live music by 'My Brother's Band', Orlando Napier, and Rey Fresco. Hundreds of people stood in line and roamed the grounds of Mission Park in a beer utopia. Noticeably, in Southern California, the overwhelming majority of beer is drinkable in quantity and served ice cold in part to the weather we experience. Rare is the person who wants a moderately cold stout at 2 pm on a Saturday, but that was me and I found two beers that fit the bill and then some.

Stone Brewery had one beer to taste when I got to them around four, but it was a wonderful Imperial Stout that rocked me. With a bouquet of almost licorice and a flavor that rolled chocolatey in the front and a roasted, smokey flavor on the finish, I was very impressed at the quality and complexity of the beer of such a dark persuasion. Right up there with the Stout by Stone was the beer I waited almost a total of 45 minutes to get. My initial trip in the line for the Fireman's Brew tent was about 15 minutes to hear CO2 was out and it would be another 15, so I took off in another direction. When I returned to the ever-present line, I got my long awaited and now hyped up beer. I got to taste one of the well-crafted 10.8% ABV beers. Far too often, when you get your paws on a double digit ABV beer it can be like choking down the contents of a Ni-Ca battery, but this beer was almost dangerously smooth. The brew the Fire bugs had for me left me blown away, and after two glasses of this extreme brew, I was starting to buzz out, and needed a break. It is saying something for a beer that surprises you, and this dobblebock named 'Brewnette' crept up nicely on the mind, getting me buzzed on the quick and leaving a sour or acidic taste on the palate, even after two glasses for the good of proper journalism. If you are looking for a barleywine with the drinkability of a strong amber that mated with a porter, then you have got to find this well crafted little piece of brewing history. It's beautifully crafted.

The big winner of the day, the big surprise and maybe most well crafted and balanced beer with flavor and drinkability to spare was the Karl Strauss Windansea Wheat Hefeweizen. I am a Hef fan, and a bit of a snob. I have had them from Alaska to Oregon to Wisconsin, and many have been great, but this traditional Bavarian unfiltered Wheat Ale was something to behold. First was the aroma with a shocking scent of clove and most of all...banana! The banana aroma took me by surprise and when I tasted the clove, banana, and the sense of vanilla or tannin I was floored. In speaking to the guys at the booth, this was a Hef that needed no lemon and frankly would probably sprout arms and stab you if you tried to put one on the rim of its glass. Far too often, in the world of Hef, brewers go nuts with the lemon, coriander, zest, and citrus of whatever persuasion that that you start to get a pucker face after a few sips. Great as it is, it makes the experience of a few brews tough to stomach, but getting my hands on Strauss' brew, I knew I could drink them endlessly. This beer was medium bodied, subdued but not shy, and the finish was crisp and so refreshing. In short, Karl put out a Hefeweizen that was jettisoned to Earth from Krypton.

Others that deserve a mention are Creekside for a very flavorful and smooth American red, playfully called their 'Ripoff Red' for its funny origin. Usually, when you put the word 'American' in the name of a beer you are going to be disappointed. However, this was a great surprise in a beer I had never tried before. It had an interesting take on the traditional Irish Red, which can be very hoppy with a biting finish. Coronado Brewery has an India Pale Ale or IPA I was very fond of as far as to say that it might be better than the fan favorite Sierra Nevada Pale Ale you can get just about anywhere. It was very hoppy but in a softer tone and the drinkability on a 76 degree day, like Saturday, was superb. Lastly, a brewery close to my heart, and my front door, is Anacapa Brewery in downtown Ventura, CA. They had a large selection of beers for the event, plus an ever changing menu of funky beers (like a club remix of the classics) and with only a few blocks to get to the brewery, it was packed as the event let out. They had a wonderful Maple Brown and an Oktoberfest that might have been the best fall beer at the event.

Overall, this was Ventura's first shot at the beer fest and I think it was a massive success. There was a great selection of beer, great live music, and a laid back mood that the patrons created. I met total strangers in line, chatting, laughing, and carrying on even as I walked around and ran in to people again and again; just the nicest group of people. People were dancing to the music, lounging on couches under what I can only think is a massive oak tree in the middle of the park, and enjoying good beer and food. With four ounce pours for tasting, no one got out of hand, no more so than the out of hand lines for bathrooms - need more of those next year. I would suggest a larger venue; maybe the fairgrounds can be justified with the overload of interest that was underestimated in planning. While the event was fun, improvements to think about include a way to expedite entry, a better way to monitor the drink and food tickets and of course more bathrooms.

In my time here, and especially from this event, I have found that there are breweries in my town, all over Southern California, and beyond that take great pride in the drinks they create. There wasn't a bad beer on the day, not one I got to taste. Impressive was the caliber of the music, people, food, and most definitely the beer. California has once again surprised me with the abundance of culture, diversity, and sense of community that was exemplified by the California Beer Festival through the view of an empty beer mug.

THE BEER GODDESS
The Return of the Beer Fest
by David Glasgal

In the early afternoon of September 26th 2009, I realized that Vincenzo Giammanco had pulled off exactly what southern California beer lovers have been thirsting for. He seemingly single-handedly organized and pulled off the most enjoyable, high quality beer festival I have seen in a long time. With so many of the beer events that have rolled through Los Angeles recently leaving that 3-hour frat party taste in your mouth, Vincenzo and his inaugural California Beer Festival renewed my faith in the beer community's ability to offer that elusive combination of atmosphere, quality, diversity and entertainment that all beer festivals should strive for. Held in the picture-perfect seaside town of Ventura in a moderately sized park at the end of Main Street, I expected there to be a decent turnout for the California Beer Festival. For it's first year out of the gate, I was very curious to see how this festival would play out and what kind of people would come. What I did not expect to see as I walked towards the park, were several-hundred people waiting in a thick line wrapped clear around the entire block.

Turnout was very high, as people showed up in droves to the already sold-out fest, many without tickets, hoping to get in. The line moved fast and entry was a breeze. $40 (door price) gets you into an adult playground beer lovers dream about. Upon entry, you got a wristband, a commemorative drinking mug, and a fistful of tickets; each redeemable for a hefty pour of any of the 60-ish breweries setup in the park. Walking through the gates, my eyes glazed over taking in the view. I panned the grassy area about the size of 4 football fields and took in the sight of colorful booths announcing the wide variety of breweries and food vendors representing. A stage was setup at the top of a small hill overlooking the park where some great bands played throughout the day. Taking in all the big-name and little-known breweries, my mouth watered with anticipation. I felt like a powerful magnet was pulling me in every direction at once. Regaining my composure, I decided the orderly thing to do was just go around the park from one side to another, booth by booth.

Throughout the 4 hours of my stay, I sampled many fine brews. Sometime between the 10th and 15th very large beer sample, I realized, sadly, for several reasons - none of them a time, or money restriction, that I wouldn't be able to try them all. Although my beer fantasy of drinking fine beer after fine beer for 5 hours straight was being dashed, I was conformable in the resignation that I'd have my fill and then some before I left. Note to self- next festival be sure to bring a designated driver- surely a job I would loathe to have, (perhaps a non-beer lover would be perfect choice- if you can find one.)

Some of the beverage highlights of the day were
- Octoberfest (Anacapa Brewing Co, Ventura CA)
- Maple Nut Brown (Anacapa Brewing Co, Ventura CA)
- Hoptober (New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins CO)
- Kellerweis (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico CA)
- Oatmeal Stout (Telegraph, Santa Barbara CA)
- Rincon Red (Santa Barbara Brewing Company, Santa Barbara CA)
- Red Ale (Creekside Brewery, San Louis Obispo CA)
- Tower 10 IPA (Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego CA)
- Windandsea Wheat (Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego CA)
- Newcastle Brown Ale. (Scottish & Newcastle, Tadcaster England)

Throughout the day we met a ton of cool, friendly people. It's somewhat unusual to go to a special event like this where the central interest is narrow in scope, but the diverse of people there is so wide. Everywhere you looked there were all kinds of very friendly people of all ages and hailing from all over the map. From San Diego to Bakersfield and everywhere in between, people were drawn to Mission Park in Ventura to join together and share their love of great beer. On behalf of everyone who was there, everyone who wishes they were, and everyone who will go to the next one, I raise my glass to you Mr. Giammanco- thank you for a great Beer Festival!

RULES & FAQS

RULES

You MUST be at least 21 to enter with a valid ID
If your ID is Expired you will not be able to enter the festival
NO pets allowed
NO chairs allowed
NO outside food or beverages allowed
NO camel packs
NO refunds or exchanges
NO drugs & drug paraphernalia
NO coolers allowed
NO knives/weapons
NO IN/OUT privileges
Having a good time...allowed

GENERAL

What time does the CBF start?
The festival gates open at noon beer sampling will start pouring at 1:00pm.

What time does the CBF end?
The CBF ends at 5:00 sharp and all guests will need to exit immediately. Beer will stop being poured 15 minutes prior to 5:00pm.

How do I become a vendor?
Email Rachel at Rachel@CaliforniaBeerFestival.com for more information.

TICKETS

Will tickets be sold at the door?
All tickets will be sold online and at select local stores. There will be tickets sold at the door (If there are any left)

How much are tickets?
General tickets are $40
Designated Driver tickets are $25

What is included in my general ticket?
A ticket into the CBF includes a sample mug, beer samplings, food samplings (while supplies last), live music and entertainment.

What is included in my Designated Driver ticket?
A designated driver ticket includes entrance into the festival, one free meal and non-alcoholic drink (water/soda), live music and entertainment.

What if I have a problem with my tickets, who do I call?
All ticket sales are through Ticket Derby, not through The California Beer Festival LLC. If you have a problem with your tickets, contact Ticket Derby at 1.888.66.DERBY (33729) or visit their website at www.TicketDerby.com

How Do I Get My Tickets?
All tickets bought online will be mailed to the ticket buyer 2 week before the festival.

FOOD

Will there be food available at the CBF?
Food will be available for purchase, check under the vendors tab to see what will be available.

BUY TICKETS

	General tickets are $40 \| Designated Driver tickets are $25 A ticket into the CBF includes a sample mug, beer samplings, food samplings (while supplies last), live music and entertainment. A designated driver ticket includes entrance into the festival, one free meal and non-alcoholic drink (water/soda), live music and entertainment.
	Buy Online: online ticket sales are through Ticket Derby				Buy In Stores: 446 East Main Street Downtown Ventura
	View photos from the 2009 CBF!