A previous California Beer Festival
The California Beer Festival, held in Aptos August 9-10, is nearly sold out. The 4th annual festival has expanded to two days— Saturday’s theme is “craft beer heaven” and Sunday it’s the “hamburger and hops music festival.” Also, it’s currently Santa Cruz Beer Week; see end of article for more details.
If you’re interested in attending the Aug. 9-10 festival, see the event website at www.californiabeerfestival/santacruz for details and tickets. You can purchase tickets online, or at Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz and Capitola. Prices vary. There are tickets for $10 (Sunday general admission), $25 (Saturday designated driver, includes a meal), $45 (Saturday craft beer heaven) and $70 (VIP two-day pass).
Saturday hours: 12:30-5 p.m. Beer sampling: 1-4:30 p.m.
There will be more than 85 craft beers on tap, live music, food from restaurants like Zameen, and bocce ball. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
Sunday hours: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Families are encouraged to attend, and kids 12 and under are free. You’re invited to bring blankets and chairs. There is no beer “sampling” on this second day. Food and beer will be offered for sale. Dishes include hamburgers, and gourmet & fusion sliders. Several tribute bands are providing live music. These include “Petty Theft” (San Francisco-based tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) and “Foreverland” (14-Piece tribute to Michael Jackson).
Proceeds benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to student athletes to “assist in their pursuit of both scholastic and athletic success in Santa Cruz County.”
Location: Aptos Village Park
Parking: No parking at the park. Everyone parks at Cabrillo College (6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos) in garage lot “P” and takes a free shuttle to the festival.
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Santa Cruz Beer Week is August 4-10. See santacruzcountybeerweek.com for several events including:
August 6, 3-6 p.m.: POPUP beer garden featuring a special lineup of Discretion beers, beer bites from Assembly, and music from Nick Gallant and Coffee Zombie Collective from 3 to 6pm.
August 6, 7pm: Prix fixe family style “beer hall” dinner, for $90 with food and beer pairings from Discretion Brewing and others. It’s a Southern-themed dinner by Executive Chef Carlo Espinas. Tickets for dinner are available in advance and might sell out, any available seats day of will be on a first come first served basis. The meal includes an assortment of pickles, homemade crackers with pimento cheese, El Salchichero pork rinds and beef jerky & corn fritters, three bean salad with marinated peppers, cherry tomatoes and avocado ranch, and blackened halibut with homemade andouille sausage, roasted eggplant & crispy grit cakes.
August 7, 3p.m. to close: Santa Cruz Beer Week celebration at Parish Pub with Uncommon Brewers and Santa Cruz Ale Works.