Happy National Beer Day!
To celebrate this hoppy occasion, what better time to dive into my experience in craft beer?
I started working in craft beer back in college. I went to Chico State. If you're familiar with our reputation, we like beer. Our town is also home to Sierra Nevada- one of the first names behind the revolutionary boom in American brewing. I worked for Burgers & Brew, a giant in number of craft taps in town.
In my years pouring mainly 20oz's (I have a knack for upselling), I learned as much as I could about the world of craft. I can change a keg, name dozens of breweries off the top of my head, and pinpoint just about any of B&B's 60+ beers on tap by taste.
Firsts
First beer ever: Modelo
First craft beer: Pyramid Hefeweizen
Favorites
SoCal brewery - 8 Bit, Murrieta
SoCal beer - Queen of Tarts, Karl Strauss, San Diego
NorCal brewery - Sierra Nevada, Chico
NorCal beer - Tie between Hexagenia or Widowmaker, Fall River, Redding
East Coast beer - Shake Shack's Shackmeister APA
Seasonal - Outside Lands Saison - Sierra Nevada, Chico, CA
Local - Old Chico - Sierra Nevada, Chico, CA
Experimental - Otra Vez Lime & Blue Agave - Sierra Nevada, Chico, CA
Session - All Day IPA - Founders
Sour - Tart of Darkness - The Bruery, Placentia, CA
Gose - Briney Melon - Anderson Valley, Boonville, CA
International - Cuvee de Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste, Belgium
Light - Framboise - Brouwerij Lindemans, Brussels
Non-craft - Modelo
Beer to shotgun - Pabst Blue Ribbon
Porter - Peanut Butter Cup Porter - Karl Strauss, San Diego, CA
Bock - Old Chico Pale Bock - Sierra Nevada, Chico, CA
IPA - Fresh Squeezed - Deschutes, Bend, OR
DIPA - Pliny the Elder - Russian River, Sonoma, CA Stout - Old Rasputin Russian Imperial - North Coast, Fort Bragg, CA
Hazy - Hazy Train - Fieldwork, Berkeley, CA
Pilsner - Trumer - Austria/ Berkeley, CA
Fruity - After Midnight Bluberry Ale - Pocock Brewing, Santa Clarita, CA
Hops - Mosaic, Amarillo, Citra
Brewery food - Sierra Nevada's beer cheese pretzel, Chico, CA
All time favorite beer - Dank of America DIPA - Altamont and Cellarmaker collaboration
Community
People find community in beer. It's hard not to!
The last time I arrived alone at a brewery, I ordered a beer while waiting for friends. A man to my right immediately offered me a cheers and the bartender genuinely wanted to know how I was doing.
A good rule of thumb is to not let someone drink alone (unless they want to).
Everyone kind of knows everyone in beer. It's a booming industry but extremely well-connected thanks to social media, collaborations, and events.
How quickly we come together.
After California's deadliest wildfire, the Camp Fire, Sierra Nevada sent their recipe and ingredients out to 1,400 breweries across the world. More than 4.2 MILLION pints later, 100% of the proceeds went to Camp Fire relief.
Currently, almost everyone I know in beer is impacted by the ongoing Coronavirus epidemic. Other Half Brewing has created All Together in response. They are inviting any and all to use their recipe, artwork, and name, then donate a portion of the proceeds to "supporting hospitality professionals in your community. The rest should go to keeping you in business to weather this storm." Check out All Together HERE.
I am a die-hard supporter of 8 Bit (Murrieta, CA) and Sierra Nevada (Chico, CA). Maybe this started because I love supporting my local businesses but my appreciation for both breweries is maintained because of who they are, how they treat their staff, and how they treat others.
8 Bit
was the first brewery in my hometown that I knew of (though Electric Brewing was the first Murrieta brewery). For that, I was instantly intrigued. Then I came in and ordered their tater tots. I've never made a trip there without ordering them since.
Their beer, their marketing, and their attitude is full of heart and drive.
It also helps that every time I visit, it's a hometown reunion.
The guys that run 8 Bit are absolutely passionate, talented, and deserving of all the hype.
The creativity behind the brand of 8 Bit is undoubtedly unique and refreshing.
The beer speaks for itself.
Sierra Nevada
is iconic. It's world-famous. It's on the top of Joey's fridge in Friends. It's in the windows of bars around the world. Its reputation was hard-earned.
I've gone on more tours of the brewery than I can count- the hop room being my favorite!
Anytime I wanted a nicer meal in town, I'd dress up and head there.
Old Chico literally tastes like every warm summer night in town.
Everyone I know owns a hoodie (mine is black).
It's the most eco-friendly and sustainable brewery there is.
In one word, revolutionary.
Chico Beer Enthusiasts
On this Facebook group, I have seen people secure jobs, help their neighbors, fundraise, and organize some of the sickest parties. It's exactly what it sounds like- an organized group of dedicated beer enthusiasts in Chico, CA who decided to create their own crowd.
This group gives people a home (debatably centered at Burgers & Brew). Everyone is welcomed and included. Except Jimmy Larkin, am I right?
The day I officially "retired" from Burgers & Brew, I livestreamed my failed Pocock Challenge.
The Pocock Challenge
Ah, the Pocock Challenge.
For those who don't know, Miyagi Pocock at Burgers & Brew is a freaking genius.
No, really. This dude has an encyclopedic knowledge of the entire beer industry.
Most of my bartending experience included him which means I learned the ropes from an absolute legend.
He's an incredible father, the smartest beer-drinker I ever did see, and his daughter is the only person I purchase my Girl Scout cookies from.
So now that you know a little bit about who he is, here's his beer-chugging challenge:
The Pocock Challenge
Beer must be over 9% ABV.
Must be a seasonal beer. Can’t be bought year-round.
Must be opened, poured, and chugged all-at-once in view of a single, unedited video.
Every ABV percentage over 9% is one person you can challenge.
Why I love the beer industry
I found a feeling of home in beer. It's how met some of my best friends. I gained knowledge and grew in all sorts of ways because of this industry. If I go through beer lists, I can usually say I've tried most of them. Above all, I know that if I ever need anything, no matter the distance, my friends, old coworkers, and along with the rest of the unbelievably tight-knit beer community is always there for me.
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I'll end on this note:
During a recent layover in Denver, a bartender told me I should get a light beer because the IPA I chose was hoppy so I "probably wouldn't like it."
I told her to make it a 20oz.
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