BLOG: Surf n’ Suds Beer Festival, Carpinteria, California

During August, Jeff and I were invited to the Annual Surf n’ Suds Beer Festival in the seaside town of Carpinteria.  Located between Ventura and Santa Barbara, California. The fest took place on a hot August day. Thankfully, located next to the ocean which offered a cooling seaside breeze. Director Andres Nuno put a lot of work into this festival, The event was very organized, complete with musical entertainment and a gigantic Beer Pong game.

Known as a “Beer Festival with a a Surf Twist”, they had over 60 breweries, several wineries, an few cider makers and everything for your surfing needs. When hunger reared, food trucks offered sustenance: Georgia’s, Burger Bus, ConFusion, Grandma’s Tamales and two hot dog styled carts.  If you enjoy both brews and surfing, ten local shaper booths filled the need

The Central Coast of California is making a presence in the craft brewing industry and the festival offering a vast assortment of ales: Sunny Daze Citrus Ale by BarrelHouse Brewing Company; Paso Robles, Dragon w/Dates & Bourbon Oak; BrewLAB; Carpinteria,  Danish Red Larger; Figueroa Mountain Brewery; Buellton, Union Jack; Firestone Walker Brewing Co.; Paso Robles, Russian Imperial Stout; Island Brewing Co.; Carpinteria, Santa Barbara Lager; Pure Order Brewing Co.; Santa Barbara, English Barley Wine; Bang the Drum Brewery; San Luis Obisbo, Flatlands Saisan; Topa Topa Brewing Co.; Ventura, Chocolate Macadamia Nut Milk Stout; Smoke Mountain; Ventura,  Tap It IPA; Tap It Brewing; San Luis Obisbo, California Ale; Telegraph Brewing Co.; Santa Barbara and Exit 83 Belgian IPA; Rincon Brewery; Carpinteria, Poseidon Brewing Company, Ventura, CA

Joining in, were many Californian breweries: Anchor Brewing; San Francisco, Anderson Valley Brewing Co.; Boonville, Angel City Brewing; Los Angeles, Belching Beaver Brewery; Vista, Coronado Brewing Co.; Coronado, Enegren Brewing Co.; Moorepark, Fireman’s Brew; Woodland Hills, Golden Road Brewing; Los Angeles, Green Flash Brewing Co.; San Diego, Heretic Brewing Co.; Fairfield, Hermitage Brewing Co.; San Jose, JT Schmids Brewery; Anaheim, Karl Strauss Brewing Co.; San Diego, King Harbor Brewing Co.; Redondo Beach, Lagunitas Brewing Co.; Petaluma, Pizza Port; Solano Beach, Saint Archer Brewing; San Diego, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; Chico, Speakeasy Ales and Lagers; San Francisco, Stone Brewing Co.; Escondido and Wolf Creek Brewing Co.; Valencia.

The breweries came from across the country: Traveler Beer Co.; Burlington Vermont, Samuel Adams; Boston MA, Dogfish Head Brewery; Rehoboth Beach DE, Leinenkugels; Chippewa Falls WI,   Goose Island Brewery; Chicago Il, Blue Moon Brewing Company; Golden CO, Deschutes Brewery; Bend OR, Elysian Brewing Co. ; Seattle WA, Ninkasi Brewing Co.; Eugene OR, and Kona Brewing Co.: Kona HI.

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Two ciders companies showcased their ciders:  Crispin Cider from Colfax, Ca and Washington Gold Hard Cider from Chelan, WA.  Along with the cider there was a “Wine Zone” featuring: Lucky Dogg Winery,  The Sanger Family of Wines and Foxen Winery from the Santa Maria Valley. Have you ever had root beer with alcohol in it?  We tried, “Not Your Father’s Root Beer” and now we are big fans.

Honestly, we didn’t make it to every booth. Over 2,000 people showed up and  when the doors opened the the people lined up and taps started pouring.  Some of Jeff’s favorites were:: Tropical Larger from Island Brewing, Wild at Heart Blind Ale at Rincon Brewery and Biliwhack Black IPA from Topa Topa.  My favorite’s were Pacific Pear Cider from Crispin, root beer from Not Your Father’s Root Beer and Honey Lavender Blonde Ale from Rincon Mountain.  We have to make a declaration, I am a little biased as our daughter Jill, developed the recipe and assisted her Brew Master husband Darren     It’s really good!

We had a great time and plan to be back next year.  Big thanks goes out to Director of the fest.  Andres Nuno.