Wow, we can't even begin to express our gratitude for your participation in Craft Beer Fest LA! THANK YOU!!!

It was a resounding success. Almost 1,000 people were able to experience incredible, local, craft beer, enthusiastic volunteers, great music, and outstanding food....everything really exceeded our expectations (yes, especially the amount of people who showed up to support the fest!). And most importantly, we raised a good chunk of money for 826LA.

I think this event only goes to show that Los Angeles is more than ready to embrace the amazing culture that surrounds craft beer. Though we had a few hiccups (too many people, too hot) along the way, we are intent on learning from this years fest and have already begun plans on how we can make it better (ie..larger, outdoor venue) next year.

We can't wait to be a part of more craft beer events in the future!

Our Sincerest Thanks,

LA CABAL



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Pairing food with booze is an age-old tradition birthed from the hallowed halls of kings and queens; but nowadays it's standard -- shallow even -- and a resounding noise reverberates like old Wendy's ads (no really, 'where is the beef?'). In hopes of modernizing the shit, and elevating our beverage of choice (BEER) above the tradish (fucking grape juice), we have made a point of pairing our food with beer for the four years since someone was dumb enough to give us an online password. Now we're putting our money where our mouth is!

This weekend ye old Hot Knives will be presenting from the bully pulpit our 'Do's and Don'ts' of cheese and beer pairing at the Los Angeles Craft and Artisan Beer Appreciation League's (...whoooh, deep breath...) First Annual Craft Beer Fest. So. Many. Caps. Here's the deal: 15 California breweries will be pouring 2 handcrafted beers each while we, and several other beer-friendly restaurants and caterers sling free gourmet grub. On top of our cheese power point, some of the region's coolest beer peeps will be scattin'.

Craftsman Brewing Co.
Telegraph Brewing Co.
The Bruery
Hangar 24 Brewery
Blind Lady Alehouse
Port Brewing Co.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
TAPS Brewery
Green Flash Brewing Co
Ballast Point Brewing Company
Stone Brewing
Sierra Nevada Brewing
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Coronado Brewing
Uncommon Brewers

So what cheeses will we be cutting? Glad you asked grasshopper, because we have a little game for you. We'll name the dairy and the beer and you try to pair them. Watch our brain-logged brains (http://www.urbanhonking.com/hotknives/) try to come up with tasting adjectives describing the characteristics of each. The first contestant who comes up with the pairings we feel are most appropriate will get a free ticket to the Craft Beer Fest L.A., which we've sold out pre-sale anyway.

The Beers

Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous Ale
Lagunitas Gnarley Wine
Ballast Point's Big Eye IPA
Green Flash Trippel

The Dairy

Cana de Oveja: Soft Ripened Ewe's Milk from Spain.
Tastes: bright, lemony, slightly sour, and because of its age its super milky.
Promising Pairs: wheat beers, Belgian triples, lambics and sours.

Chaubier: Washed Rind Semi Firm Cow/Goat blend from France.
Tastes: slightly acidic, slightly swiss, meaty but smooth.
Promising Pairs: pale ales, IPAs.

Beemster X.O: 3 Year Aged Cow's milk from Holland
Tastes: deep; butterscotch with umami pop rocks.
Promising Pairs: stouts, porters, anything aged in oak.

Fourme D'ambert: Wine and Mold Injected French Blue. Cow's Milk
Tastes: sweet, salty, funky and smooth.
Promising Pairs: scotch style, porters, strong ales.

So, people, what's the pairy?



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There have been some concerns in the beer-o-sphere about the
number of tasting pours at Craft Beer Fest LA.

First off, we're glad to see people are excited and talking about the event!

Secondly, we want to reassure people planning on attending that there will be plenty of bang for your buck: $30 admission covers 15 3-ounce pours of any and all the beers. And since this is about appreciating quality beers, we are talking limited release brews, never-before seen labels, high-octane barleywines and other rarities. The entrance fee also covers complimentary snacks from a slew of cool restaurants, bands, a couple of entertaining panels and other festival goodies. And anyone still thirsty (and standing) is welcome to buy more pours for $1 a pop, because remember people all the proceeds are going to charity!

Look forward to seeing people on Saturday!

LA CABAL


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Since it's unlikely we'll have a chance to update this before Saturday, we'll call this the "official" list of breweries. We'll be pouring (at least) 2 beers each from:

Craftsman Brewing Co.
Telegraph Brewing Co.
The Bruery
Hangar 24 Brewery
Blind Lady Alehouse
Port Brewing Co.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
TAPS Brewery
Green Flash Brewing Co
Ballast Point Brewing Company
Sierra Nevada Brewing
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Stone Brewing Co.
Uncommon Brewers
Coronado Brewing Co.


Cheers!

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What are going to be drinking on Saturday? We'll be pouring (at least) 2 beers each from:

Craftsman Brewing Co.
Telegraph Brewing Co.
The Bruery
Hangar 24 Brewery
Blind Lady Alehouse
Port Brewing Co.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
TAPS Brewery
Green Flash Brewing Co
Ballast Point Brewing Company
Mission Brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewing
Lagunitas Brewing Co.

Amazingly, we are still waiting on some paperwork from the alcohol control folks to see which of 5 other breweries will be attending, so we should have some more good news in the next day or so.

Cheers!

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