Tag: Sacramento

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Sacramento Brewery # 2 – Oak Park Brewing

Oak Park Brewing, like me, enjoys an acronym or two but the most important one to remember is “ABCs, which stands for (A)rt, (B)eer, and (C)ommUnity.”

Below is my idea of a great taster tray from OPB…

We Are Sacramento Pilsner – “Amber Pilsner dedicated to the hard working, creative people of Sacramento.”

OPB IPA – “Pours golden yellow with bright white head. Nose is filled with tropical fruit and ripe papaya. Each sip begins with dank hoppiness and ends with notes of grapefruit peel lingering on the tongue. West Coast, clear and refreshing.”

Hazy Lush Sky – “The hazy counterpart of our Lush Tropical Sky IPA. Very dry and clean. The flavor nuances are light citrus, slight plum tartness, pineapple, and grapefruit pith. The nose has a tropical pineapple presence.”

Cherry Strong Ale – “Cherry Stong Ale with hints of Lemon.”

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Sacramento Area Brewery Tour # 1 – Alaro Brewing

Our first e-taster tray in Sacramento is from Alaro Brewing. Where you can be lord of the castle in the former Rubicon Brewing location and get some tapas with your beer.

For Goons & Glory Golden Ale – “Bready, biscuity malt profile – balanced hop – black currant spice – mild tropical fruit flavor.”

Bennett Sacramento Pale Ale – “This 5X Medal Winning American Style Pale Ale defined as a “Sacramento Pale Ale” is made in the heart of Sacramento using a Sacramento Valley grown, sustainable heritage barley from Admiral Maltings and Azacca & Simcoe hops. This perfect ale boasts a clean & crisp malt bill and tropical fruit notes of mango, papaya & citrus.”

Partner in Crime India Cream Ale – “This India Cream ale is made to be lower abv than a traditional IPA but more hop-forward than a Cream Ale. The use of a “juicy” yeast strain (WLP067), Hallertau Blanc and L’Orien hops mean this beer is big on the juicy fruit but easy on the senses.”

Armada British Brown Ale – “Ahh, the British Brown Ale is without question our favorite cold-weather beer. With its lightly roasted and caramelized malt profile perfectly balanced with noble hop characters, moderate alcohol content and a dry finish, it’s hard to not have another!  A style that was originally designed to serve the masses and it still serves that purpose today.”

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NBA City Brewery # 1 – Porchlight Brewing Co. in Sacramento

I am going to focus on those NBA cities with rising teams, which takes us to the surprising city of Sacramento which has had a boffo (for them) start to their NBA season.

And the brewery to visit is….

…Porchlight Brewing Co. on the East Side of the capitol city near Cal State – Sacramento. I wanted to pick a few beers whose names resonate with the current Kings squad and their fortunes.

Hype Train basketball pundits are wondering if their hot start is real
NE style IPA, super juicy

Victor Mexican lager they will need to play with the “it” style of fast pace just like Mexican lagers are the new wave
Vienna Style Mexican Lager 4.5% ABV

Hardknox Double IPA they have had tough years but maybe playoffs are coming
West Coast Style IPA 8% ABV
2018 CA State Fair Silver Medal Winner

Down Range Stout they are going to need to take some more 3 pointers as the season winds on
Irish Stout, 5.8% ABV

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Get Ready to Summit

This week, specfically this Tuesday, you can get your tickets to THE California beer festival….

Head HERE to get your tickets to travel the state in #independent beer without traveling from Yreka to Calexico.

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California Craft in Sacramento


It is almost that time of the year! The California Craft Beer Summit is fast approaching. 1 month out as of today.

From September 7th through the 9th there are “educational seminars on the state of the industry, strategies for growth, the nexus of marijuana and beer, women in the craft beer industry, industry compensation data, food and beer pairings and chef demos in the “Culinary Marketplace” and even sensory training. “TapTalks” on the floor of an experience-based hall include industry leaders and influencers, including Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.), David Walker (Firestone Walker Brewing Co.), Jay Goodwin (Rare Barrel), among many others.”

Now that may be too “in the weeds” for the casual beer fan. But I found the seminars to be full of information and the marketplace hall food and beer pairings were a highlight from last year’s visit too.

You can always just focus on the big beer fest at the end. 165 breweries from Yreka to San Diego will be pouring, right in front of California’s Capitol. With one quick flight to Sacramento you can taste beers from everywhere in the Golden State. It is too much beer (in a good way).

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Buy Local Brewery Tour # 1 – Big Sexy in Sacramento


This month we stand with cities who have been SABInBev’d by an announcement that a “High End” outlet will be opening in their city. Starting in the Golden State’s capital, Sacramento.

Instead of Golden Road, how about visit…Big Sexy Brewing instead. Here are some beers that sound delicious to me…

Bracia Goddess of the Vine – Barrel Aged Blonde 11.2% abv
“This limited release blonde that has been aged to perfection with local grown Cabernet grapes and aged in cabernet barrels. This is a seasonal beer not to be missed!”

5149 – Blend 5.9% abv
“5149 is an awesome blend of two of our most popular beers. Tricky Ricky to bold? Daytime-Ish Blonde needs a little more oomph for you? Try it and this special blend and you might be hooked!”

AwKwArD HaNdShAkE – IPA 6.0% abv
“A golden bodied India Pale Ale with bold and juicy tropical flavors which delivers a subtle piney bitterness on the palate while finishing with a hoppy smoothness.”

SEXI MEXI – Mexican Lager 6.3% abv
“Yep we said it.. Sexy Mexi. This mexican lager is a smooth craft beer that delivers amazing flavors but is light enough to enjoy anytime.”

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Sacramento Brewery # 3 – Sactown Union

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Our third and final Sacramento stop is the Sactown Union Brewery. We are stopping here because when I asked a rep from the Beers in Sac website for recommendations. This was first on the list. So let’s check out the Union….

#KöLSCH Köln-style Ale
“Technology and social media have revolutionized communications, education, business … human interaction … and for all its pro’s and con’s, the interwebs cannot be overlooked for its power to give a platform to be heard, a voice to the otherwise voiceless. The revolution will not be televised … but it will be Tweeted! As a nod to this, we bring you “#KÖLSCH” Köln-style Ale.”

First Responder – Helles Lager
“German for “bright”, this beer salutes our brightest rays of hope that go through Helles to protect us: Fire and Police Departments, who are the brave First Responders. A portion of the proceeds from this brew go to the Sacramento Firefighters Burn Institute.”

El Campeon Del Campesino – Vienna lager + tamarind
“This Vienna Lager has a dry tartness brought on by organic Agua de Tamarindo, a Mexican Summer beverage. Named in honor of Cesar Chavez, the unifying force behind the ’70s California farm workers rights movement, & in thanks for the efforts of all those who work the land to grow the ingredients for our beers. Proceeds support the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.”

The Catalyst – Sacramento Common
“In keeping with Sactown’s rich German history, we re-create the original recipe with the Cluster hop that once made the Sacramento Valley world famous. This is the beer that made the miners smile after a long day of work, and will bring a smile to your face as well!”

Risen City Double IPA
“Bottom line: this is a really big beer . Named in honor of our town’s long history of overcoming adversity. A strong cast of Galena, Columbus, Citra and Equinox Hops join forces to set off a land mine of herbal and citric flavor on the back of your tongue!”

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Sacramento Brewery # 2 – Track 7

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The very first Sacramento brewery that I visited was Track 7 after Day 1 of the California Craft Beer Summit. My beer buddy and I Lyfted to the Curtis Park location and ambled outside to enjoy the beers and the weather and the smell of the food truck nearby. You can currently get Panic IPA and BeeLine Honey here in Los Angeles. So I am going to give you info on three other beers to look for when you head north….

1. “This is no typo. Yes, the spelling of Trein Wrak looks jumbled. But that is only because we opted to use the Dutch translation, since Dutch is the primary language of the Flemish region of northern Belgium. Fitting for a Belgian-style IPA, right? In our take on this amalgamation of beer styles, Belgian malts, American hops and Belgian Abbey yeast collide creating a bold IPA boasting an unbridled union of citrus and spice. This winter seasonal is a fan favorite, so enjoy it while you can. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Proost!”

2. “Riot Act Rye IPA boasts 11 hop additions that marry earthy and citrus hop flavors with the rustic spice of rye malt. Failure to comply with this proclamation may be met with looks of mockery and disdain from your friends.”

3. “Burnt Fog is a dark, smooth and complex porter with rich chocolate flavors suffused with subtle smokiness from the addition of smoked malt.”
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My Favorite Brewery in Sacramento, Read On

Over two days and in between summit and festival, I visited four breweries in Sacramento. One I visited twice.
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Fieldwork gets my nod because of multiple reasons. I tried four different beers. All were excellent. Shower Beer being my favorite. But the Taproom offshoot of the Berkeley based brewery had style. From the logo design to the detailed menu to the taster tray, to the beer names, even the sign out front.
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Toss in a super opinionated brewer who may in equal parts make you agree or disagree with him over the course of one sentence and you have the makings of a cult favorite. Plus, you can get half pours if you ask nice.
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No, you don’t have to order the NE inspired beers. They have other beers with hops to occupy yourself with.