13th Annual West Coast Brew Fest Fills Miller Park
By John Benton
Staff Writer
Some of Northern California’s most popular and best tasting beers were on hand for the 13th Annual West Coast Brew Fest, brought to you by Creative Cats. The day was beautiful and the beer, cold. Miller Park is always a perfect backdrop for this amazing event. In its 13th year, the West Coast Brew Fest was host to more than 60 different breweries. Many of these breweries are from Northern California, the home of the micro-brew. “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.” A Microbrewery, or craft brewery, is one that generates smaller amounts of beer. Photo by John Benton, the crowd at the 13th Annual West Coast Brew Fest
Although many of the brands we have come to know as microbrews have grown into much larger companies, the techniques they started out using in many cases haven’t changed much. According to Wikipedia, “in the US, the American Brewers Association defines a "craft brewery" as "small, independent and traditional", and gives a production size of less than 6,000,000 US beer barrels (700,000,000 L) a year and can not be more than 24% owned by another alcoholic beverage company that is not itself a craft brewery.” Traditions and handling techniques are still determining factors in quality, although we are starting to see newer ideas starting to creep into the brewing process. Photo by John Benton, the Grand Teton tent at the 13th Annual West Coast Brew Fest
One example of that was the bacon brown ale, from Uncommon Brewers out of Santa Cruz. The West Coast Brew Fest is always the culminating event held two weeks after the Commercial Craft Competition which judges beers in more than 16 categories. Hundreds of beers are entered into competition, resulting in first, second, and third place winners in each category. Sacramento brewers often represent well in this annual competition. This year, they took 5 ribbons in 5 different categories, three of them 1st Place (River City Brewing Co.)
Not ALL of the attending breweries were a part of the competition, though. Many simply want the opportunity to pour their golden treasures to some of the most adoring fans. Often you will find novel beers from unfamiliar brewers. I am always excited to find a new brewer or variety. This year I learned about quite a few breweries of which I had never heard. One such brewery is called 21st Amendment Brewery, out of San Francisco. Founded in 2000 by Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan, 21st Amendment celebrates the importance of early 1900’s breweries to the San Francisco area, as well as how that important document allowed craft brewers to return to business. Photo by John Benton, the 13th Annual West Coast Brew Fest
Two of my favorite beers of the day were from 21st Amendment: Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer and Back in Black black IPA. Both offered unique flavors, making them stand out amongst the hundreds of others. Another brewery which was new to me at this year’s Brew Fest is Feather Falls Casino Brewery. Currently brewing 7 different beers, Feather Falls Casino has become a true contender in the microbrew game. Brewmaster Roland Allen has found a new home to showcase his talents. Hailing from beer legend Sierra Nevada in Chico, Allen joined forces with Tom Atmore and Bill Beeghly in creating Butte Creek Brewing Company, an organically minded brewery, also in Chico.
After ownership changes, Allen joined up with Feather Falls Casino to open a new microbrewery. Allen's beers span a wide range of styles from wheat beers to a milk stout. One which stood out to me was the Naughty Native- an American India Pale Ale. Full-bodied with a dark amber color. "Very hoppy, featuring bold flavors and aromas with complex citrus, pine and herbal characteristics," is how he describes it on the website. I found it to be delicious.
Creative Cats Presents, the group responsible for bringing the West Coast Brew Fest to Sacramento for the last 13 years, works with sponsors to make this amazing event happen. Among others, this year's Brew Fest was brought in part by Mad Cat Bicycles, Avenue Illumination, Anytime Fitness, Metal Cloak vehicle outfitters, and Greenkey Real Estate. They all worked hand in hand with many volunteers to bring more than three thousand visitors to Miller Park. All their hard work benefits the Make-A-Difference Project in cooperation with The Sacramento Urban League.
The Make-A-Difference Project strives to "reduce violence in the home and community through a philosophy of civic-mindedness." The Greater Sacramento Urban League works hard at "enabling underserved communities to secure self-reliance through advocacy, services related to workforce preparation, employment assistance, education and literacy, and economic development."
To learn more about the Sacramento Urban League, visit them at www.gsul.org For more information about the Feather Falls Casino Brewery, visit them at www.featherfallscasino.com/brewing-com For more information about 21st Amendment Brewery, visit them at www.21st-amendment.com To learn more about Creative Cats Presents or to find out about their upcoming events, visit them at www.matsonian.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."
Back to Top
Published in Sutter Creek, our paper is a positive example of journalism with an eclectic assortment of articles and reviews ranging from health and wellness to the arts.
