Two-Day California Beer Festival Returns To Ventura’s Mission Park; Ventura County Beer Week Leads Up To Craft Beer Fest, Blues & BBQ Fest
California Beer Festival, one of the most anticipated two-day live music and craft beer events of the year in Southern California, returns to Mission Park, Main St. and Figueroa St. in Ventura, with its Craft Beer Heaven on Saturday, September 21; and Blues & BBQ Fest on Sunday, September 22, respectively. Prior to that is the week-long Ventura County Beer Week, from September 15-22, with festivities all over town. Tickets priced as follows: Saturday’s Craft Beer Heaven, $50.00; Sunday’s Blues & BBQ Fest, $30.00; Designated Driver Ticket (Saturday only), $25.00; V.I.P. 3-Day Pass (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), $145.00. Buy tickets at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6499499177?ref=ebtnebtckt.
The Blues & BBQ Fest lineup on Sunday, September 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. features three of today’s best contemporary guitar players: Four-time Blues Music Awards nominee, Ana Popovic (in her only California area appearance); five-time Grammy nominee, Robben Ford; and Texas native Carolyn Wonderland, described as a cross between Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Also performing are two popular SoCal-based blues groups with solid followings, The Alastair Greene Band (and) Michael John and the Bottom Line; plus The Bomb. Sunday also features the 5K Run and Blue Moon BBQ Cook Off with amateur and professional teams from all over the state competing for $3,000 in prize money. Guests are encouraged to enjoy samples from each team throughout the day and vote for People’s Choice.
Saturday’s Craft Beer Heaven (12:30-5:30 p.m.) is one of the largest beer festivals in the state, and with over 150 craft beers on tap, it’s a great place to come sample amazing craft beer from all over the world. Sample such fine beers as Ladyface Ale Companie; Ninkasie Brewing; Fireman’s Brew; Bruvado; Speakeasy Ales & Lagers; Sierra Nevada; Firestone Walker; and many more. In addition to Craft Beer Heaven, Saturday also features live music by Foreverland (Northern California-based, powerhouse/horn-driven Michael Jackson Tribute band); Ventura’s own groove-masters, Shaky Feeling; and Black Crystal Wolf Kids, who are the “world’s first indie-rock tribute band” performing sing-along songs from bands such as MGMT, Grouplove, and Phoenix to Pavement, Pixies and Cracker.
California Beer Festival presents “Ventura County Beer Week,” an eight-day celebration of craft beer, food and friends from September 15-22. Among the events taking place during Ventura County Beer Week: Mixology at the Tavern (Sunday, 9/15); Tap Take Over with Firestone at Winchester’s (Monday, 9/16); Laughing with Lagunitas at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club (Tuesday, 9/17); Short Pour Film Contest at Barrelhouse 101 (Wednesday, 9/18); Poker/Blackjack Tournament at Players Casino with Ninkasi (Thursday, 9/19); and the First Annual VIP Brew With A View invitational (Friday, 9/20), the latter kicking off CBF Weekend at the Crowne Plaza and presented by CBF (and) Totally Local VC. Seven restaurants team up with seven breweries to compete for your vote to win the 2013 Craft Beer and Food Paring Award! Your ticket includes the view; food (medium bites); craft beer; and a live band. Breweries competing are: Anacapa Brewery, The Lab Brewing Company, LadyFace Ale House, Surf Brewery, CBF Burt’s Banana Hefeweizen, and Firestone Brewery. Restaurants Competing: Watermark On Main, Crown Plaza, Twenty 88, Sidecar, The Patio Restaurant, Plated Events with Chef Jason Collis and La Dolce Vita. Space is very limited for this VIP Event. Must be 21 years or older with a valid ID to participate in this food pairing competition. For additional information log onto www.venturacountybeerweek.com.