Orcutt Brew Company Presents “Life & Limb”

This weekend, a Santa Barbara County brewery is offering a rare taste of the limited release beer called “Life & Limb” to go along with its regular ale offerings. It’s all part of a beer and food pairing hosted by Orcutt Brew Company on Saturday, December 19, and marks what just might be the first sips anyone in the 805 has had of the dark ale, which was produced in a unique West Coast-East Coast partnership between Sierra Nevada Brewing in Chico and Dogfish Head Brewery in Maryland.

Only 75 kegs of “Life & Limb” were made, and the beer was available to just four businesses in the region through the hands of Central Coast Distributing. Thanks to the small microbrewery’s sales representative, Orcutt Brew Company was able to keep one of the kegs destined for elsewhere on the Central Coast to serve at the holiday party. Had the beer been shipped off, brewer and owner Clay Frick said, “There would have been a lot of true beer connoisseurs who would be missing out on a chance to try this extraordinary beer.”

Despite its scarcity, “Life & Limb” has already won the favor of Central Coasters – according to a press release, all of the bottles that hit the shelves of the BevMo! in San Luis Obispo sold out in a single day. Frick knows why. “I tried it and think that any true lover of beer will enjoy the experience of a beer that defies style,” he explained. “This could be a once in a life time event.”

The Sierra-Dogfish Head brainchild is a full-bodied beer brings together tastes of dark roast coffee and toasted bread while boasting a bold, American hops flavor. The uniquely complexity found within a bottle of “Life & Limb” makes it great to pair with dark, flavorful foods. At the event on Saturday, which is officially dubbed the “Beer Connoisseur’s Christmas Party” and will run from 6 to 9 p.m., it will complement the dessert course. Other Sierra and Dogfish Head beers will also be available, as will Orcutt Brew’s own Frick ‘n’ IPA and the Jingleberry Stout. Each will be combined with a dish intended to match the character of the ale.

Tickets are available for $40 per person. For more information or to reserve a seat, see orcuttbrew.com.