Fall is in the air! The leaves are turning, the wind blowing, and pumpkin ales and Halloween candy are already lining the shelves. School may be in session, but the beer festivals are in full swing—with some of the best coming up this month. Mendocino Brewing will be pouring at several of them, including one very exciting new event—The California Craft Beer Summit.
California Craft Beer Summit
California Craft Beer Summit – September 11 – 12
Sacramento, CA
This going to be a fantastic time, and I’m looking forward to it. The Craft Beer Summit is a first-of-its-kind event, hosting a mélange of craft beer centered workshops, lectures, luminaries and tastings. There will be an assortment of Tap Talks throughout both days, where craft beer experts will share their ideas and advice, as well as on-going cooking with beer classes, in-depth seminars and special tap servings. The two-day event will culminate with the beer festival, with more than 150 breweries—all from California—attending.
Best Coast Beer Fest – September 20
Best Coast Beer Fest
San Francisco, CA
Endorsed by Will Ferrell with the proceeds going to charity—how can you go wrong? The Best Coast Beer Fest will support Cancer for College, a charity fund that helps cancer survivors attend college. More than 100 different West Coast breweries will be pouring, and there will also be live music and food trucks. This event is actually a sort of tri-city event, with dates in Los Angeles and San Diego as well!
Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival – September 24 – 26
Denver, CO
One of the most popular beer events in the world, the Great American Beer Festival sold out this year in just over an hour (One hour, seventeen minutes, to be precise), so you should just stop reading now if you don’t have tickets yet. However, if you are a glutton for punishment (or did score tickets), you’ll be pleased to know that the fest is hosting some new events this year, including a Meet the Brewer section and a re-vamp of the Farm to Table tasting feature.
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine and Brew – September 26
San Diego, CA
If I could drink with the animals … Is that how the old song goes? This super-fun fest pairs wheat ale with wallabies and IPAs with iguanas, and the proceeds go to help support the zoo’s program to protect endangered species and their habitats around the world. The event is spread out around the San Diego Zoo grounds to encourage visitors to check out the space and enjoy the setting, and world-famous animal expert Joan Embry will even be there with some animals on display!
Mendocino Brewing will be at several more fests this month, and is also gearing up for the big Oktoberfest celebrations! Keep checking back for more news on events, and let us know what beer fests are on your calendar.
