Category Archives: Beach City Brewery

150 California Breweries Line Up for the CA Craft Beer Summit + discount code

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sacThe state of craft beer is something to behold. So is the state of California. When I heard 150 California craft breweries will be pouring at the California Craft Beer Summit, my personal state went from a foggy daze to “how can this be real?”

Not only is the festival a huge draw, the two-day event includes a CBC-type expo and educational sessions, put together by the California Craft Brewers Association.

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Pioneer Chris Cramer details the beginning of craft beer in SD.

Tap Talks: Featuring industry industry legends like Ken Grossman, David Walker, Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo, Steve Wagner and a bunch more.

    • Masters Demos: Interactive demonstrations featuring California’s top 
brewers and chefs pairing California’s finest beers and fresh ingredients in new and innovative styles.
    • Experience the Craft Sessions: Craft beer professionals will provide phenomenal opportunities to learn more about craft beer and the business of brewing it.
    • Beer Releases: Tasting stations will feature an array of beers in a variety of styles to experience the difference and enjoy new taste sensations.
    • Job and Education Center: Have you ever dreamed of working at a brewery? Meet our experts in industry education and talk to the hiring professionals that make those dreams come true. Learn what it will take to meet your goals.
    • Hoppy Hour: IPA’s and Appetizers make for a great networking hour to discuss new and hilarious hop puns!

ocbeerMy personal itinerary on Friday:

  • 9: Food & Beer Pairings with Dr. Bill (simply to heckle).
  • 10:30: Draft systems technical workshop.
  • 1pm: Fritz Maytag speaks about 50 years of Anchor Brewing(!)
  • 2:30-3: Vinnie Cilurzo moderates a talk with Ken Grossman.
  • 5:30: Brewers reception.

temptationSaturday: Getting my learn on from Gary Glass, Mitch Steele, The Pope of Foam, Tony Magee, Chris Cramer, Patrick Rue, Vinnie, Matt Brynildson and Greg Koch. Then…

Saturday night on the capitol lawn: 150 breweries will stretch as far as the eye can see. Orange County will be represented by The Bruery, Beach City, Beachwood BBQ, and Bottle Logic. The best part of the fest will be sampling beer from all over the state from breweries that only support their local areas.

Tickets available via http://www.californiacraftbeer.com/2015-craft-beer-summit/tickets/purchase-tickets/

fact: California produced over 3.5 million barrels of beer in 2014, more than any other state.

 

fact: Craft Beer is a 6.5 Billion dollar industry in the state of California, 18% more in 2014 than the previous year.

 

fact: California has 554 breweries, more than any other state.

 

Fact: the discount code is CAcraftbeer10

Beach City Brewery | Grand Opening May 10!

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IMG_5267When Beach City Brewery owner Glenn Closson first sent me email August last year, I was thrilled to hear Huntington Beach would soon be getting its first production brewery. He’s been to practically every event I’ve been since then, supporting the locals and networking at the same time. During GABF, he even stuck around New Belgium’s VIP tour just to hang out for a bit…in the RAIN…with his GIRLFRIEND. What I’m trying to say is he’s not just some brosy surfer type trying to get in the craftbeer game to make a killer paycheck. I get the sense good beer is in his lifeblood and starting a brewery would be the only scratch for his itch.

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Grand opening draft board

IMG_5265Like a healthy pregnancy, nine months later, I’m pleased to say Glenn is the proud father of a bouncing baby brewery! Here’s a brief breakdown on what to expect from brewer Derek Testerman:

In order of faves from top to bottom: 

Sweet Crude Stout – A 5.6% ABV stout with tons of character and is super drinkable? So in on this guy. Silky froth caps off an aroma that switches gears between chocolate and coffee from sip to sip. There’s a subtle umami/sealike note that keeps me searching for more until whoops! The pint is gone. Plus, it’s 5.6%!! Obviously a testament to Derek’s time as a brewer on the east coast where session stouts are done proper.

PCH Pale Ale – 5.5% ABV – Drinks like a session IPA with an actual balanced malt backbone. Very smooth mouthfeel backed up with a scrumptious citrusy hopload. This guy is growler-worthy on day one.

IMG_5253Beach Cruiser Berliner Weisse – Pale as ginger ale, this is a nice tart version of a Berliner served with a full line up of syrup options. Ask for the peach to get the closest thing to a sour peach gummi worm, or go traditional with the green woodruff syrup.

Overcast Summer Wheat 4.5% – Summer What? For my low ABV loving, hop hating friends…this it the beer you want to take a growler of to a summer pool party. A little bit of dry hop in this traditional American Wheat (or Freedom Wheat as I call them) keeps it interesting.

IMG_5252Hang Five IPA 7% – More of an east coast offering with some apricot/stonefruit on the nose, sweet/bready malts and a zingy bitter finish. I expect this recipe to be reworked for version 2.0 coming soon.

Rye’T Black IPA – Sampled out of the fermenter…not finished enough for me to really be swayed. Can’t wait to try at the Grand Opening. What Grand Opening? Oh yeah, brah! The one on Saturday May 10 from Noon to 10!

Make sure and sign up for their email list and follow them on facebook.

Beach City Brewery

7631 Woodwind Dr
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

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