This ended up being one of those last minute things but it was definitely worth it; it’s a three day beer event that started in 1984 benefiting Hospice SLO and was held at the Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo.
What is a Festival of Beer, Anyway?
Friday evening was the Connoisseur Dinner and Kick-off Evening…we attended this night and despite some howling winds, no tents blew away, so that’s good. This was a super fun evening; we ran into several friends, I sipped on many beers that I hadn’t had before, and even had time for a stogie from Boss Cigars and the Crush & Roll West booth. In addition to all this loveliness there was also some food and live music…Annie had some pizza from Full of Life Flatbread and we cruised the event to try to get the vibe since this was our first time attending.
Saturday was the California Festival of Beers Grand Tasting which we were unable to go to do a prior engagement but we heard nothing but great stuff from the folks we knew who had attended.
Sunday was an interesting day, the California Festival of Beers Home Brewer Competition and Symposium. I loved it because I was able to try numerous beers that were small in production and also listen to some of the symposium. It was really cool listening to Matt Brynildson (Brewmaster at Firestone Brewery) talking during part of the symposium, very knowledgeable guy obviously and really the first time I had heard him drop some of that knowledge…good stuff!
Overall, the event was fantastic. I love it when events have different aspects to them rather than just going to taste and then go home. Being able to add in an educational aspect as well as food, food trucks, beer tasting, seminars, live music, cigars, and a few other lifestyle booths always makes for a well rounded event.
Not too long ago I really became infatuated with Lagunitas Brewing Company and they had a table there. Annie convinced me to go up and chat with them…but I was nervous like a school girl. Anways, as most of you know I do what Annie says and I and chatted with the guy there, super cool dude and exactly what I expected from a brewer. Great peeps making fantastic beer!
Cheers to all the volunteers, brewers, sponsors, Hospice SLO, food providers, lifestyle vendors, and THEE Holly Todd for a great SLO Central Coast event. Cheers!
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Wow that sounds like fun, I hope you were able to spend the week-end at one of Madonna’s rooms, that would be cool.
We stoppped there just to check it out and look at the pictures of all the different rooms, we did ask at the desk if we could look at a room but they said no, so we’ve never been back or won’t stay there because of that poor customer service. When we were in Santa Barbara we asked to look at a room at Fess Parker and they showed us a couple rooms which was awesome even as expensive the rooms are, and it was my birthday we picked a room and loved it. The SLO views are fabulous this time of year when everything is green. Thanks for sharing.
@Beverlya Hey Bev! Yeah, it was a good time…we’ve never hung out at the Madonna Expo Center and were impressed with the place. The Madonna Inn is definitely an interesting place, we’ve not stayed there, but maybe we’ll check it out one of these days! The hills were beautiful and the views incredible from up on that hill. Glad to hear you had a good birthday at Fess Parker! That’s a pretty awesome place, too. Cheers to you, have a great week!!!