I was invited to another beer dinner by the good folks from New Belgium Brewing. The dinner was held at the Hotel Mac in Point Richmond.

It was their first beer dinner, though they have experience with the concept. They do a different themed wine dinner several times a year and also monthly wine and spirits tastings known as Tasting Tuesdays. The space was very cool. It was quaint and comfortable, with original fixtures and dark wood. From the Hotel Mac website: The Hotel Mac, built in 1911, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This three-story, red brick building is located in the heart of Point Richmond, California, a quaint, village-style community.

Before the dinner, Blue Paddle Pilsner was served in the downstairs bar.

The wonderful Lauren Salazar, who I’ve judged with before, explained the different beers on the menu to a packed crowd, while at the same time in the other room, her husband, brewer Eric Salazar, did likewise to his full room.

Our second course, Springboard Ale steamed mussels with pomme frites. The butter and garlic sauce was incredible. The complex flavors in the beer cut through the butter and garlic nicely. The Springboard is made with oats and Chinese herbs like schisandra and goji berries. There’s even some wormwood and a small percentage of beer aged in wooden barrels.

My table. From left: Lauren Salazar, Jennifer Gilardi, me and Jen Garris.

The dessert was a decadent chocolate walnut cake with chocolate espresso sauce paired with 1554 Brussels Style Black Ale. It was also served with La Folie

Lauren and Eric Salazar after the dinner.