Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Last month I yawped about some southwest breweries, but since July is Oregon’s time in the sun (literally), I will post about Oregon beers. And I will try my best to focus on non-Portland based brewers.
First though, here is a sampling of beer events that I believe are the highlights of the month.
CRAFT BEER MONTH KICK-OFF – McMenamin’s Hillsdale 7/1
PUCKERFEST – Sour beers at Belmont Station 7/9-7/15
INTERNATIONAL BEER – Portland International Beerfest 7/16-7/18
I am not talking about the wait staff at your local. Nope, today I want to vent about people who don’t appreciate the beer bounty in front of them.
Now I can spend all day nitpicking the nitpickers who complain about every last little detail. Life is not perfect. Not all beer festivals are great. Not all are run like clockwork. That may be a rant for another day.
What I am talking about is “appreciation”. When you go to a festival or event and a special beer is poured, I implore you to re-trace how that beer got to the glass in front of you.
The organizer had to call the brewery and schedule and then figure out how to get that beer to the location. Then all of that had to ACTUALLY happen. People get up early and lose sleep to deliver beer, set-up kegs and taps. Put up tents and tables. Secure and pay for a location. Find and train volunteers.
I haven’t even scratched the surface of what goes on BEFORE that beer gets handed to you.
What I want all of you beer geeks out there to do is simple. Say thanks to everyone who helps at the next event you attend. And if you know the organizer? Go up to them and say thanks for doing what you do. They are not well paid for this. They are doing it for the love of beer and because they want other people to love beer too.
…in the UK. This is what I want to be when I grow up. In addition to having my own bottle shop of course.
Check Zak out HERE
July 29: Beer dinner at Rock Bottom brewpub – Long Beach, 6:00 p.m. rockbottom.com.
Aug. 8: Open house at Skyscraper Brewing, El Monte – 12:00-6:00 p.m. skyscraperbrewing.com
Aug. 19: Beer Showcase Dinner with Boston Beer Company – Tony P’s, Marina del Rey, 7:00 p.m. (different brewery each third Wednesday) tonyps.com.
Aug. 25-31: Sour Beer Festival, Beachwood BBQ – Seal Beach. beachwoodbbq.com
Aug. 30: OC Beer Festival – Irvine Lake, 2:00-5:00 p.m. drinkeatplay.com/ocbeerfest.
Sep. 19: Septemberfest – Paramount Studios, Hollywood, 2:00-5:00 p.m. drinkeatplay.com/septemberfest.
Oct. 17-25: L.A. Beer Week – various locations. labeerweek.com.