HopHeadSaid
  • Blog
  • pintsandpairings
  • ABOS

Last Chance: A pair of Tickets to...

5/21/2014

14 Comments

 
Picture
Here's your last chance to win a pair of general admission tickets to the 21st Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival that will be taking place on Saturday, June 1st, 2014!

How To Enter:
1. Tell everyone what your favorite wine or beer is in the comment section below. 
2. You need to fill in all the forms (favorite beer/wine and e-mail) or you will not be considered.
3. You have until 11:59 AM (PST) on May 16, 2014 to enter. Any entries after that time will not be considered.
4. That's it. 

How to win:
1. It is all luck.
2. I will pick a random number and count through the entries until I reach the number.
3.  I will announce the winner on this post after the winner has been confirmed.

Restrictions:
1. You may not win more than once.

14 Comments

Best In Fest: Inaugural Beer Competition

5/5/2014

0 Comments

 
PictureClick to purchase your tickets.
This is the 21st year of this annual event and to celebrate its coming of age, beer has been "officially" included in the title of the event.  Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & BREW Festival kicked off its 2014 festival with a commercial beer competition on May 3rd.

To make the introduction of beer something really special, we added a commercial beer competition to the mix to highlight local and regional breweries. We thought this would be a great way to bring attention to the growing craft beer movement and give you a chance to explore new beers or beer styles and plan your beer tasting experience once you step through the gate. 

All of the beers that entered the Best In Fest competition will receive a full pints&pairings write up that will feature food pairing suggestions for each beer.  The two runners-up and the winner will get full pints&pairings podcasts to help you better plan your beer and food experience at the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & BREW Festival on June 1st. 

Picture
Photo Credit: Kristin Palos
Before I get to the competition recap, I want to thank the festival's brewery co-chairs, Jess Card (far left) and Manny Gallo (second left).  Their behind the scenes work is why there will be a festival full of beer this year. Thanks, guys!

I would also like to thank my judging crew. They took time out of their busy Saturday morning schedule and put their palates and beer knowledge to the test for me.  Believe me, it's no easy task judging commercially produced beers. You can read more about the judges HERE

Last, but not least, a big THANK YOU to Kristin Palos (behind the camera) who is the events coordinator for Casa Pacifica and the person who gave me the opportunity to get involved with such a great organization. Thank you, Kristin.

Now, let's get to the competition. 
Picture
Round 1

Seven local breweries entered into the inaugural Best-In-Fest competition. To ensure the integrity of this competition, the beers were poured out of sight (called blind judging) so the judges didn't know anything about the beer in front of them except its style. In this round, each beer was evaluated against its own style and given a score based on its aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and overall impression.

The scores were entered into spreadsheet and added together and the three highest scoring beers moved to the second round.  Only 18 points separated the bottom scoring and top scoring beers.



Picture
Round 2

The identity of the beers that moved on to the second round were kept a secret, again to ensure an unbiased evaluation. Round 2 doesn't use score sheets, rather a round-table style of discussion was used to choose the best of show beer.

The conversations in this round ranged from style accuracy to food pairing possibilities to drinkability before the winner of this round was picked. 

Picture
Best in Fest 

In the end, it was Institution Ale Company's Restraint that won Best in Fest. Their American Brown Ale got top marks by all the judges for its food pairing possibilities and drinkability.  

Picture
Visit Institution Ale Company
0 Comments

Bite at the Beach

4/25/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am really excited about this event. This inaugural event will feature beer, food, beer, #beerpairing panels and more beer ... right up my alley. Come and join me and a bunch of fabulous breweries and other beer geeks on May 17th!

General Admission Tickets: $100 includes food, beer, wine and panel discussions.

VIP Tickets: $200 - includes special hour prior to event start time with passed apps by Circa, tastings of Sam Adams Barrel Room Collection and a special presentation by Pacific Gravity Home Brew Club in addition to food, beer, wine and panel discussions.

Tickets can be purchased here.


Picture
“The Art and Craft of Beer Pairing” –  This panel will be teaching our crowd the art of beer pairing – beer isn’t just for swilling in the backyard while grilling dogs, it’s a hand crafted, sophisticated beverage, that is meant to go with food.  The flavors that craft breweries are achieving these days are varied and complex, and these panelists will teach you how to pick just the right ones to go with your next meal. Whether you have prepared a slow braise of lamb shank or just grilling in the backyard, you will be armed with the knowledge of how to pick the best beer to go with your next meal.


Panelists:
Ting Su – Co-Founder of Eagle Rock Brewery
Christina Perozzi – Goose Island Educator
Cyrena Nouzille – Co-Founder of Ladyface Ale Company
Anne Conness - Executive Chef and Partner of Simmzy's and Tin Roof Bistro

Picture
“Fun with BEER!” – Cook with it!  Marinate a steak!  Wash your hair!  Fix your lawn!  These are just the few fun things beer is good for besides giving you a buzz (or, while it’s giving you a buzz).  Don’t just drink it, play with it!  Our lively panelists will show you how to really make beer the star of your next party.  Or, your next bath…


Panelists:
Greg Bechtel – Bon Vivant at El Segundo Brewing Co.
Mike Simms– Owner of Simms Restaurants
David LeFevre – Chef of MB Post and Fishing With Dynamite
Rich Marcello – Co-Owner of Strand Brewing Co.
Nikki Martin – Host of Grill Next Door and Food Network Star


Featured Breweries

Picture
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA  – The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce is introducing the First Annual Bite at the Beach food and beer pairing event brought to you by Stella Artois. The event will premiere on May 17, 2014 from 2-7pm at the MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased through the Manhattan Beach Chamber’s website.

0 Comments

Moorpark Beer Festival

9/8/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
It's almost time again for one of Ventura County's premier beer festivals! The Moorpark Beer Festival will be holding its third annual event this year on October 6, 2012. The Moorpark Morning Rotary Club (MMRC)is sponsoring the event. MMRC will use all the profits from this event to help local families, schools, seniors and veterans. So you're drinking for a cause!-)

This year the festival will host 2500 attendees which is up from 1000 last year.  If you were present last year you know that elbow room was at a premium and so you (and everyone else) will be happy to hear that the event grounds have tripled in size! 2 1/2 blocks or High Street in Moorpark will be sectioned off for this festival. This year there will be plenty of room for you, me and all our friends to hang out and enjoy some quality craft beer.

And speaking of craft beer.  The general admission ticket will get you unlimited tastings from at least 19 California-based craft breweries and two homebrew clubs this year!  So be sure you hit all the big craft breweries (Lagunitas, Iron Fist, Karl Straus, etc) and don't skip any of the locals (Enegren, Sundowner, or Surf).  But what ever you do, DO NOT skip the homebrew stations.  These local homebrewers know what they are doing and you are sure to taste some truly unique and delicious one-offs. 

Is your mouth watering, yet?  

Picture
There will also be nine food stations along the way. Local favorites like Custom Melt and The Dugout will be there and the MMRC will again be grilling up some tri-tip sandwiches! Please note, however, that food is not included so you will want to bring along some extra cash. It is easy to get carried away at a festival so be sure to follow these tips.  Eat a hearty meal before you arrive, force yourself to take water breaks and eat throughout event. These simple tips will help you stay hydrated and slow your alcohol consumption.  You don’t want to be that guy/girl! You know the one I am talking about, the one that makes a mess all over his/her shoes and everyone else who is standing around. 

I am the most excited about the VIP section ($100/ticket) this year.  Listen to these perks! It has its own own brewery, Figueroa Mountain! And its own food, Custom Melt! AND comfy sofas to relax in! So go get your VIP tickets before they sell out and hang out with me.

There is so much more happening this year that I could go on and on.  But I do want to mention that Cantera Cellars will be present for those "I don't like beer" folks and there will be two bands providing a beer fest soundtrack! Learn about all the newest updates, etc. at http://www.moorparkbeerfestival.com .

Last but certainly not least, plan now.  Plan on how you are going to get home safely after the event.  There are several hotels in the area that offering special rates and the MBF is offering specially priced designated driver tickets.

See you in October!

Picture
0 Comments

California Beer Festival: Ventura

7/30/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Click banner to visit CBF website!
Festival season is in full swing already and it doesn't get any bigger (in Ventura County, anyway) than this event. If you have been to this festival then I know you don't need anymore encouragement than this announcement. But if you haven't been to this festival before or if you're not sure if you can make it back this year Burt the Bear has just upped the ante. 

I'll see your general admission and raise you a "Meet the Brewer Session"...

Picture
A special "VIP Meet the Brewer" session has been added this year that will give attendees the opportunity to meet with participating breweries and taste some of their special reserve beers!  This will be a great time to hang with the brewers, talk beer and generally geek out! Only 500 tickets will be sold so be sure to get your ticket now before they sell out! Click [HERE] to purchase your tickets.

New and improved mobile App.

Picture
You may remember from last year (or if you had too much fun maybe you don't) the mobile app the allowed people to vote for their favorite brewery/beers.  Well the app is back again this year but with new features.  This year, the App will keep track of all the beers you rated and it will e-mail you that list and any notes you took back to you the day after the event.  This will help all of us (even those of us who don't get too crazy) remember which beers we tasted.  You can get peek at the app by clicking this [LINK].

CBF: Ventura gets a little more leg room

Picture
The festival grounds are expanding a little this year. The Ventura County Museum has granted access to their courtyard where many will be able to gather, relax and enjoy their beer in sophisticated style.

Entertainment!

Picture
As usual, CBF has gone over the top to keep you entertained while you are waiting for your beer, enjoying your beer or talking to your friends about beer!  Visit the CBF website [LINK] for a complete list of bands that will be performing but Burt the Bear was the most excited about Foreverland, a 14 piece Michael Jackson tribute band. Who knew Burt was such a HUGE Michael Jackson fan?! 

0 Comments
    Chronical Fermenters Available At MoreBeer!

    Categories

    All
    101 Beer Trail
    10 Things You Should Know
    Advent Calendar
    Advent Calendar Pairing
    Afc East
    Afc North
    Afc South
    Afc West
    Ahi
    American Light Lager
    American Pale Ale
    Anacapa Brewing Co
    Appetizer
    Artichoke
    Asain
    Asian
    Bad Beer
    Bass
    Beer
    Beer Bars
    Beer Bloggers
    Beer Blogging Friday
    Beer Colors
    Beer Gear
    Beer Pourn
    Beer Swatches
    Beer Trail
    Belgian Golden Strong
    Best In Fest
    Biere De Mars
    Bohemian Pilsner
    Bold City Brewery
    Book Review
    Books
    Booze
    Booze Beats Bitesc09b82b735
    Bread Pudding
    Breweriana
    Brewery Highlight
    Brooklyn Brewery
    Bud Light
    Burger
    Cake
    California Beer Festival
    Carrot Cake
    Casa Agria
    Casa Pacifica
    Cbf
    Chicago
    Chicken
    Chocolate
    Coasters
    Contest
    Cookies
    Coors Light
    Craftbeer.com
    Crostini
    Curry
    Deep Ellum Brewing Co.
    Dessert
    Distillery
    Dr. Seuss
    Duchesse De Bourgogne
    Ecards
    Egg Rolls
    Elysian
    Enegren
    Enigma
    Esb
    Festival
    Figueroa Mountain
    Firemans Brew
    Firestone Walker
    Five Threads Brewing Co
    Food And Brew Festival
    Football
    Four Points
    Framboise
    Fruit Cake
    Gift Guide
    Gifts
    Giveaway
    Great Divide
    Happy Hour
    Hefeweizen
    Holiday Beers
    Homebrew
    Hops&horrors
    Infection
    Infographic
    Institution Ale Co
    Interview
    Ipa
    Island Brewing
    Kickstarter
    Lab Brewing
    Ladyface
    Ladyface Ale Companie
    Limoncello
    Lindens
    Lists
    Madewest Brewing Co
    Mai Bock
    Miller Lite
    Mission Street
    Movies
    My List
    Nfc East
    Nfc North
    Nfc South
    Nfc West
    Nfl
    Ninkasi
    Nonsense
    Pairing
    Pale Ale
    Phestival Barrel House
    Pictures
    Pilsner
    Pintspairings
    Poll
    Porter
    Posters
    Press Release
    Print
    Radio
    Rail Ale Trail
    Ravioli
    Re:Find
    Review
    Russian Imperial Stout
    Saison
    Salmon
    Santa Barbra Brewing Co.
    Session IPA
    Snowflakes
    Spirits
    Stella Artois
    Stout
    Stouts
    Style Profile
    Style Survey
    Summit Brewing
    Sundowner Brewery
    Sun King Brewing Co.
    Superbowl
    Surf Brewing
    Sushi
    Tacos
    Tap
    Telegraph Brewing Co
    The Big Game
    Theme Song
    The Session
    Tom And Sandy
    Top 10
    Trader Joe's
    Trappist
    Tuna
    Twisted Oak Tavern
    Two Trees Brewing
    Unfiltered
    Vcbuzz
    Vc Reporter
    Ventura
    Ventura Limoncello
    Video
    Wandering Wino
    Westo Beer
    Wine
    Wolf Creek Brewery
    Yeti
    Yuengling
    Zombies

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    RSS Feed

All Content © Curtis Taylor 2010-2015
✕