Santa Cruz Beer Week 2015: additional events

Posted on August 5, 2015 by admin
Folks enjoying themselves at Parish Publick House at Santa Cruz Beer Week 2014. Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz Waves

Folks enjoying themselves at Parish Publick House at Santa Cruz Beer Week 2014.
Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz Waves

As I reported a few days ago, Santa Cruz Beer Week is August 2-9 and there are several restaurant-brewery pairings and other events Aug. 2-7.

Last Sunday’s Assembly/Discretion event featured—as Assembly described it—a “one time only special menu built by, for, and around beer.” Beer-centered starter options included Good Faith & blue cheese fondue with heirloom tomatoes and seeded toast. Main course selections included slow roasted pork, Early Girl tomatoes, padrons, scallions, and Oh black beans; corn cakes with roasted figs, hopped ricotta, cherry tomatoes, and Mickie Malone honey; and lamb sliders with feta, beer mustard, and red onions. Dessert options included bacon waffles with 6th Conversation stewed peaches, crème fraiche, and maple.

See earlier article for details on the California Beer Festival this weekend, including a Friday night competition with food/beer pairings from local chefs and brewers. See below for new details on events Aug. 5-6.

You can also visit the official beer week web site or the Santa Cruz Waves beer week site.

Upcoming Beer Week events

  • Wednesday, August 5, 5 p.m.-close: There will be a “Ten Tap Invasion” at Beer Thirty in Soquel. Firestone Walker and Barrelworks Breweries are the participants. It’s the first time Firestone has released Helldorado—a bourbon and whiskey barrel aged blonde barley wine—outside of their brewery. Event organizers have also promised swag giveaways throughout the night.

Location: 2504 S. Main St., Soquel

  • Thursday, August 6, 5 p.m.-close: This is a collaborative event at Parish Publick House featuring Santa Cruz-based Uncommon Brewers and Santa Cruz Aleworks. There will be food and beer pairings, too.

Location: 841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz

Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.

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Santa Cruz Beer Week 2015 & California Beer Festival

Posted on August 2, 2015 by admin
Attendees at a previous California Beer Festival Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz Waves

Attendees at a previous California Beer Festival
Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz Waves

Santa Cruz Beer Week is August 2-9; the finale is the California Beer Festival at Aptos Village Park from Friday, Aug. 7-Sunday, Aug. 9. From Aug. 2-7 there will be a few restaurant-brewery pairings, among other activities. See the official beer week web site or the Santa Cruz Waves special site for details on several events including:

  • August 2, 5:30 p.m.-close: Beers from Discretion Brewing will accompany food at Assembly during a special beer-themed dinner. Santa Cruz Waves hosts the evening, which will include “Summer Fish Fry with Song of My Heart battered cod, shrimp, chickpeas, green beans, and new potatoes plus malt vinegar aioli; mussels with Uncle Dave’s Rye smoked ham hock broth; and buttermilk bran cake with Oh Black Lager ice cream and caramelized bananas.
  • August 3, 5 p.m.-close: There are two events: the first is at The Hophead Public House in Scotts Valley, featuring Lagunitas Brewing Company. The second is “Nubo Brew & BBQ” at New Bohemia Brewing Company on 41st Ave. Surf City Sandwiches will provide BBQ sliders and side dishes. Young & Lowe will perform music from 6-8 p.m.
  • August 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m.: A beer and food pairing competition will be held at Aptos Village Park. Five breweries and five restaurants are competing.

There are also events August 4, 5, and 6.

The official three-day California Beer Festival is at Aptos Village Park Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9. Tickets range from $10 general admission for Sunday (no food or beer included), to $99 for a three-day VIP pass that also includes the Friday night competition. There are several a la carte options. Saturday’s theme is “craft beer heaven” and Sunday it’s the “hamburger and hops music festival” with live music. There is no beer sampling on Sunday (but there is beer and food for sale). That day, kids 12 and under are free.  If you’re interested in attending the festival, see the website for advance tickets.

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, 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.

Proceeds benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to student athletes in Santa Cruz County.

Location: Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd., Aptos

Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.

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Santa Cruz, Capitola, Gilroy, & San Jose food and beer events this weekend

Posted on July 24, 2015 by admin
Chef Carla Hall learns how to do a calamari flame-up on Gourmet Alley at the 2014 festival

Chef Carla Hall learns how to do a calamari flame-up on Gourmet Alley at the 2014 festival

There are many food and beer events occurring this weekend in local cities including Santa Cruz, Capitola, San Jose, and Gilroy. Below are details for a few of them, including two that start today.

Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26: Gilroy Garlic Festival
The annual Gilroy Garlic Festival includes celebrity chef Daphne Oz (from ABC-TV’s “The Chew”), four chefs competing in the garlic cook-off, and lots of food. The garlic cook-off takes place Sunday, July 26, where the contestants face off in front of a live audience. Following that battle, Chef Oz will conduct a cooking demo. And for the first time, the cook-off stage will also feature a “garlic dream wedding” where contest winners/garlic-loving couple Stacy and Tom Davenport will renew their wedding vows.

As always, the festival’s “Gourmet Alley” is open all three days. It features cooking demonstrations and many foods for sale including garlic bread, garlic fries, pasta with pesto, garlic burgers, Italian sausage sandwiches, garlic scampi, and garlic ice cream. There will also be some vendors giving out food samples. These include Primizie and the company’s all-natural Gouda & Garlic crispbreads, which I recently had the chance to sample. I definitely recommend you find their booth at the festival:. the smoked Dutch Gouda and roasted garlic combine to create a flavorful snack which—warning—is a bit addicting.
Parking is free. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Ticket costs: Adult $20, Children (ages 6-12) & Seniors (60+) $10, Kids under 6 are free.
Location: Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy

Friday, July 24-Saturday, Aug. 1: Silicon Valley Beer Week
This craft beer celebration lasts eight days and includes more than 150 events such as tap takeovers, new release nights, tours, food pairings, parties, seminars, demonstrations, and brewmaster’s dinners. The Silicon Valley Beer Week kickoff party, July 24 from 5-9 p.m., takes place at four different San Jose breweries: Strike Brewing Company (2099 S 10th St #30), Santa Clara Brewing Company (101 E Alma Ave), Hermitage Brewing Company (1627 S 7th St), and Gordon Biersch Brewing Company (357 East Taylor St).
Location: Various bars, restaurants, breweries, etc. in Silicon Valley

Sunday, July 26: Festival del Nopal
At the 6th annual Festival del Nopal, there will be food for sale, music, and an appearance by Ballet Folklorico. Also, there will be a recipe contest and cooking demonstrations with nopales, which are cactus paddles. Admission is free. The market is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and the program runs from noon-6 p.m.
Location: 176 Lincoln St. parking lot, Santa Cruz

Sunday, July 26: Post Wharf-to-Wharf Whole Foods Party
From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Whole Foods Market Capitola is holding a post-Wharf to Wharf party celebrating the market’s 6th birthday. There will be free samples, a beer garden with 16 featured breweries, a kids’ zone including face painting and activities with June Bugs gym, live music, and free massages. There will also be a BBQ with hot dogs. A portion of beer and BBQ sales benefits the Santa Cruz SPCA. Call (831) 464-2900 for more information.
Location: 1710 41st Ave., Capitola
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.

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National Ice Cream Month in Santa Cruz includes Mission Hill Creamery’s birthday

Posted on July 21, 2015 by admin
Ice cream from Mission Hill Creamery, used with permission

Ice cream from Mission Hill Creamery (photo used with permission)

July is National Ice Cream Month, and here in Santa Cruz this coincides with Mission Hill Creamery’s 5th birthday plus a contest where you can win free ice cream for a year.

First, the Mission Hill Creamery news: Dave Kumec founded this wonderful artisan ice cream company in July 2010. To celebrate Mission Hill’s fifth birthday, the downtown shop is offering $1 ice cream scoops from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21. There will also be live music and drawings for Santa Cruz Warriors merchandise. Kumec loves giving back to the community. I asked him to reflect on the last five years. “I feel like the business has become a grown-up,” Kumec shared. “We had some challenges early on, but now we are finding a great groove. It’s all about the team you surround yourself with and our team is fantastic. It’s a fantastic career knowing you make people happy all day long.”

Kumec and Mission Hill started out in the former Front Street Culinary Center, and moved to the current Pacific Avenue site in 2012. They serve a variety of ice creams, desserts, milkshakes, and floats—with local and organic ingredients like Straus organic cream and Santa Cruz County strawberries—plus coffee and espresso, and packed pints. Mission Hill Creamery products are also sold at many Northern California stores and other venues including Whole Foods Market and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Next, here are details for the ice cream contest Downtown Santa Cruz is sponsoring. It’s a coloring contest, and the Ice Cream for a Year prize will be comprised of 50 gift certificates: 10 gift certificates for a scoop, from each of the 5 participating locations. The idea is you get one scoop of ice cream per week, for all but two weeks of the year.

How to play: pick up a coloring sheet at one of Downtown Santa Cruz’s five participating stores: Cold Stone Creamery, Marini’s Candies, Mission Hill Creamery, Pacific Cookie Company and the Penny Ice Creamery. Return your completed coloring sheet to the Info Kiosk in front of New Leaf Market on Pacific Ave. by July 31 and you will be entered in the contest. The winner will be notified by email during the the first week of August.

People are encouraged to follow Downtown Santa Cruz on Facebook and check out the front windows of Palace Art on Pacific Ave. to see featured coloring sheets, and participants are encouraged to post photos of both ice cream treats and coloring sheets on Instagram with the hashtags #downtownsantacruzicecream and #downtownsantacruz.

Location details:
Mission Hill Creamery, 1101B Pacific Ave. near Cathcart
The Penny Ice Creamery, several locations including original downtown branch, 913 Cedar St.
Pacific Cookie Company, two locations including downtown, 1203 Pacific Ave.
Marini’s Candies, two locations including downtown, 1308 Pacific Ave.
Cold Stone Creamery, 1129 Pacific Ave.
New Leaf Market, 1134 Pacific Ave.
Palace Art, 1407 Pacific Ave.

On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.

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Ben Lomond’s Casa Nostra offers monthly wine dinner

Posted on July 19, 2015 by admin
Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Mama’s homemade Eggplant Parmigiana recipe), one of the featured dishes at Casa Nostra’s July wine dinner

Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Mama’s homemade Eggplant Parmigiana recipe), one of the featured dishes at Casa Nostra’s July wine dinner

Italian restaurant Casa Nostra in Ben Lomond is hosting a wine dinner on Tuesday, July 28, from 6-9 p.m. See end of article for menu.

This is part of the restaurant’s wine dinner series. Events are held the last Tuesday of each month. For $65 (excluding tax/gratuity), attendees receive a prix fixe meal with five small plate courses prepared by chef Mario Ibarra, plus wine pairings. Every month, a different local winery and winemakers are featured. This time it’s Santa Cruz-based Rexford Winery. Owners/winemakers Joe and Sam Miller will be present at the dinner. Jazz duo Joe & Paul will be performing.

Contact (831) 609-6132 or juan.garay74@gmail.com for reservations.

After July 28, the next dinner is August 25 with Beauregard Vineyards.

July 28 Menu, featuring Rexford Winery

Creamy Artichoke Croquettes on a bed of mixed greens, with homemade ranch dressing

2013 Rexford Pinot Gris, Santa Cruz Mountains

~~

Orchiette Pollo, with chicken, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccolini, pecorino cheese

2010 Rexford Pinot Noir, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone

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Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Mama’s homemade Eggplant Parmigiana recipe

2013 Rexford Zinfandel, Lodi

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Boneless slow-braised short ribs, red wine reduction with carrots, celery, onions & herbs

2012 Rexford Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, Napa Valley

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Tiramisu with cocoa nibs & chocolate drizzle

2012 Rexford Zinfandel port-style dessert wine

Casa Nostra is open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and also serves weekend brunch from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday.

On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.
The Details

Wine Dinner Series, 6-9 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month: next dinner July 28
$65 per person
Ristorante Casa Nostra, 9217 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, (831) 609-6132

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Santa Cruz Farmers’ Markets Pop-Up Breakfast Series continues Saturday

Posted on July 14, 2015 by admin
Bloody Marys from Chef Brad Briske, at the 2014 pop-up breakfast series. Photo credit: Carolyn Lagatutta

Bloody Marys from Chef Brad Briske, at the 2014 pop-up breakfast series.
Photo credit: Carolyn Lagatutta

The summertime pop-up breakfast series at the Westside Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley farmers markets is in full swing, with the next event this Saturday, July 18 in Scotts Valley. There is limited seating; tickets are $36 and are available for purchase online and at the markets. Different local chefs are featured at each event; this Saturday it’s Kevin Koebel of Local FATT—see menu below.

The August 22 breakfast features chef Mark Denham of Soif Restaurant & Wine Bar, and chef David Jackman of Chocolate is cooking for the September 12 breakfast. Both are at the Westside market; see web site for full menus.

Graduates of Santa Cruz’s Food, What?! youth empowerment program provide service at the events. Upon arrival, attendees choose their seats by placing their own plate and silverware at a space along a u-shaped, family-style table. A local band provides music while guests drink a hot beverage and await the first course. At 10 a.m., plates of seasonal cuisine made with ingredients sourced from the markets begin rolling out. As the guests eat and visit, farmers and chefs share their knowledge and perspective regarding agriculture, community and consumer choice within the food system.

The first summer series occurred in 2013, and it draws more and more fans each year. The 2014 Pop-Up events sold out well in advance. These farm-to-table meals are hosted at the Westside and Scotts Valley Markets between June and September. The June event at the Westside Market featured Kendra Baker and Carlo Espinas of Assembly, the Penny Ice Creamery, and Picnic Basket. As a market spokesperson states, “the goal of these ticketed, outdoor, events is to highlight our rich local agriculture and food artisan community while raising funds for the markets’ public educational programs including the Foodshed Project.” For more information call 831-325-4294 or email education@santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

July 18 Pop-Up Breakfast Menu
• DRY FARMED TOMATO CARPACCIO with collard-whole cream, tarragon savory bread pudding and cherry-balsamic syrup
• CORN BEEF AND HASH TIMBALE shredded roasted potato, slow cooked brisket and spinach
• ROSEMARY EGG FLAN topped with meyer lemon, macerated raw beet and a cilantro-arugula coulis
• FIG AND FENNEL SALAD mint, chevre and strawberry vinegar reduction
• BRAISED GREENS roasted alliums, olive oil and salt
• SWEET FINISH honey-lemon curd with lavender shortbread
• TASTY BEVERAGES COURTESY OF Hidden Fortress Coffee

Read more about the Santa Cruz Farmers’ Markets at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.

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Ocean2table hosts Santa Cruz Pescetarian PopUp Dinner

Posted on July 12, 2015 by admin
Charlie & Ian grilling up miso sablefish at the first Pescetarian PopUp. Photo courtesy of Ocean2table

Charlie & Ian grilling up miso sablefish at the first Pescetarian PopUp.
Photo courtesy of Ocean2table

Santa Cruz-based Ocean2table is partnering with several other local businesses to host their third Pescetarian PopUp Dinner on Thursday, July 16, at the Food Lounge in downtown Santa Cruz.

Tickets are $50 for the multi-course dinner and there will be a cash bar. Buy tickets online.

Sustainable seafood company Ocean2table is Charlie Lambert and Ian Cole. They started this dinner series with the hope of encouraging community support for local, sustainable food. So far, they have had two successful events, one in April and one in May. Their collaborators for the July 16 dinner are Crescent Farm, Mutari Chocolate, Companion Bakeshop, Squash & Blossom, Creative Cultures, and Ty’s Eatery. The final menu will be set a couple days before the event, but there will be a salad from Crescent, hot chocolate from Mutari, bread from Companion, beet kvass from Creative, and appetizers from Ty’s.

“We see our pop-ups as a chance to meet and bring together people who care about where their food comes from,” says Cole. “There are a lot of great businesses here in Santa Cruz working to bring delicious environmentally conscious food to the table, and I think it makes sense to get us all under one roof to share. We learn a lot from working with other businesses and it’s quite a rush pulling it off!”

Normally, Ocean2table offers very fresh seafood to customers via pick-up or delivery. Those who are email subscribers get notified the day before local fish is available—it depends on what they or other local fishermen catch—and customers must place their orders by a certain deadline, choosing a half share or full share. If you’re on the email list, there is no obligation to purchase anything. I’m an email subscriber and bought a half share of rockfish earlier this year, and it was very succulent and fresh. I even used the recipe they recommended, which was simple and delicious. They always include a link to a recipe with their emails.

For more information visit getocean2table.com.

Details: Thursday, July 16, 2015, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $50

Location: Food Lounge, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz

Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.

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Carmel Valley’s Bernardus offers lavender event and Lucia has new menus

Posted on July 8, 2015 by admin
Cal Stamenov in the gardens at Bernardus Lodge & Spa Credit: Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Cal Stamenov in the gardens at Bernardus Lodge & Spa
Credit: Bernardus Lodge & Spa

The renowned Carmel Valley-based Bernardus Lodge & Spa and executive chef Cal Stamenov are hosting a lavender harvest celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11.

The annual event honors the 1,000 lavender plants that are in full bloom among the venue’s olive trees, rosemary and rose gardens. Horticulturist Mark Marino will guide attendees on a tour of the Chef’s Garden that includes wine. Then, guests will enjoy a lavender-inspired buffet lunch with ingredients from Bernardus’ garden and vineyard. Tickets are $95 and reservations are required at 831-658-3400.

Lucia Restaurant & Bar has announced a new summer menu. Dishes include salads with roasted nectarines/arugula/prosciutto or local octopus/King salmon belly/preserved lemon relish; butter-braised Maine lobster with sweet corn puree, tarragon and black truffle vinaigrette; Day Boat Scallop Wellington with chanterelle mushrooms and foie gras; housemade sweet potato pasta; a variety of brick oven pizzas; and Wagyu beef. Also, a four-course chef’s tasting menu is available.

Lucia Bar, in a separate area from the restaurant with more casual dining, has new summer craft cocktails such as Green Tea Collins (Charbay Green Tea vodka, fresh lemon and soda) and Summer in Jalisco (pressed watermelon, muddled cucumber, fresh lime, jalapeno agave and Corralejo Silver Tequila).

In April 2015, Forbes Travel Guide four-star luxury property Bernardus re-opened with new ownership after being closed during a four-month multimillion-dollar transformation. The former on-site restaurant, Marinus, is now closed, but chef Stamenov remained and he is now at the helm of brand-new Lucia. The restaurant was named after the Santa Lucia Range that provides the backdrop to the new 2,300-square-foot outdoor dining terrace. Other highlights include a 25,000-bottle wine cellar, and a food menu that features ingredients from local farmers, foragers, and fishermen.

For more information, visit bernarduslodge.com. Bernardus is at 415 W. Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley.

Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.

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Santa Cruz County food & wine events this week

Posted on July 6, 2015 by admin
Chaminade’s “Happy Yappy Hour” is July 6 from 5-7pm. Photo Credit: Chaminade

Chaminade’s “Happy Yappy Hour” is July 6 from 5-7pm.
Photo Credit: Chaminade

There are many food and wine events occurring this week in Santa Cruz County. Below are details for a few of them–including one tonight, July 6.

Monday, July 6: Chaminade’s “Happy Yappy Hour”
From 5-7 p.m., Chaminade Resort & Spa is hosting “Happy Yappy Hour” on the Sunset Patio. They’re offering drink, appetizer, and “yappetizer” specials, and invite dogs and their owners to attend. Chaminade is donating a portion of the proceeds from this event to the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter. They will also be serving Chateau La Paws wine; this company contributes funds to no-kill shelters and animal rescue organizations.
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, chaminade.com

Wednesday, July 8: Soif’s “Re-Opening Celebration”
Soif invites the community to a re-opening celebration from 4-6:30 p.m. July 8. They’ll be serving appetizers and drinks. As you may recall, Soif reopened two weeks ago after extensive renovations. Learn about their new food menu, new wine bar, and upgraded wine shop in my June 19 article.
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, soifwine.com

Thursday, July 9: Lionfish SupperClub’s “A Taste of Ancient Grace”
From 6-10 p.m., Lionfish SupperClub is holding a special outdoor dinner event at the downtown Food Lounge. Attendees must purchase tickets in advance for $75. Last week’s preview event at the Lounge, where Lionfish sold a la carte Greece-inspired items, was very well received. Highlights included spiced ground lamb souvlaki skewered on freshly picked rosemary stems—a very succulent, flavorful dish—and a wonderful, chilled lemon-herb zucchini soup.
1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, lionfishsc.com

Friday, July 10: Food Lounge’s “Artisan Food Market”
From 2-7 p.m., the Food Lounge is the site of the Artisan Food Market, described as ‘farmers market meets cocktail hour.’ There will be more than 20 local food artisans and pop-up vendors, plus local wine and beer available for purchase. The first of these monthly events was held in June; read details.
1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, scfoodlounge.com

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Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival this weekend in Scotts Valley

Posted on June 26, 2015 by admin
The 6th annual Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival is June 27-28

The 6th annual Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival is June 27-28

This weekend is the 6th annual Hop N’ Barley beer and BBQ festival. The main event is on Saturday, June 27, but this is the second consecutive year that the festival is holding activities over two full days instead of just one. The festival offers live music occurring on two stages.

There are more than 50 regional and local breweries participating, including Ballast Point, Ninkasi, Discretion, Green Flash, Sante Adarius & Alpine. For the first time, there will be craft cider tastings.

Saturday is the main event with beer and barbecue, plus other food including vegetarian selections and oysters. The gates open at 10 a.m. and beer starts flowing at noon. The gates close at 5 p.m. On Sunday, there is a home brew competition.

General admission is $20; purchase tickets here. Kids under 10 are free, and adults who are not drinking beer get in for a reduced price of $5. The Hop N’ Barley beer and BBQ festival benefits non-profit Community Housing Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

When:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (beer starts at noon)
Where: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Cost: $20 general admission, $5 for non-beer-tasters, free for kids under 10
Details: www.hopnbarley.org

If you’re on Twitter, follow me @santacruzfoodie.

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