Today is the 48th birthday of Brian Ford, owner/brewer at the Auburn Alehouse near Sacramento, California. Brian previously brewed at Beermann’s Beerworks, but left before they closed several years ago. I’ve been meaning to visit the Auburn Alehouse but so far haven’t managed it. But this year is defintely the year. Join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.
Brian pouring his beer at the Raley Field Beerfest in 2007.
And here’s Brian with Glynn Phillips, from Rubicon, at the same event.
A publicity shot at the Auburn Alehouse.
Today is the birthday of Rick Sellers, former beer director of DRAFT magazine and former parter with brewer Peter Hoey in the Odonata Beer Co., which sadly didn’t quite get off the ground. These days he’s back writing online at Pacific Brew News. Join me in wishing Rick a very happy birthday.
Rick with Odonata partner Peter Hoey at GABF in2009.
At the OBF media tasting: Rick, Merideth and Chris Nelson, the The Beer Geeks, and Meagan Flynn (at right) with her assistant, Annalou, publisher of Beer NW during the 2007 Oregon Brewers Festival.
Rick, with me and J.J. Jackson tasting beer for a segment of a TV show that was done for KVIE, the PBS station in Sacramento.
Me and Rick at the Bistro’s Double IPA festival in 2008. (Thanks to Bryan Kolesar from The Brew Lounge for sending me the photo.)
For several years now, Rubicon Brewing in Sacramento has hosted an event celebrating women in brewing. This year’s Women in Brewing Main Event will take place this Saturday, April 16 all day long. Rubicon is located at 2004 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento.
From the press release:
Join us for our annual celebration of women in the craft brew industry! We’ve got some fantastic beers in store for y’all, including special brews from Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, Auburn Alehouse, Stone, Santa Cruz Mountain, Blue Frog, Moylan’s, and more! So, stop in, have a pint, and chat with some amazing Women Brewsters. And above all … the event benefits a great organization, W.E.A.V.E.!
Talk about a father’s day gift. I just got an e-mail from my friend Peter Hoey, who’s the co-founder and brewmaster of Odonata Brewing in Sacramento. His wife Britany gave birth last night to their second child, and first son, Liam. But I can’t help but beam with pride after reading his middle name. Now that’s a beautiful name — good choice. Peter tells me they’re “now home resting and getting to know him.” Please join me in congratulating Peter and Britany Hoey as they welcome the newest addition to the Odonata Brewing family.
Particulars:
Original Gravity: 9 pounds, 0 ounces
IBUs: 21 in.
Style: Boy
Release Date: June 19, 2010
Label: Liam Porter Hoey
Peter, Britany and Liam Hoey.
Odonata Beer, a new brewery is Sacramento, is releasing their Saison today. Below is the press release with all the details:
ODONATA (OH-DOE-NAH-TA) is ecstatic to announce the arrival of its flagship beer, Saison! Brewed with malted barley, wheat & rolled oats, Saison is a rustic interpretation of the traditionally Belgium-brewed beer. Spiced with Styrian & East Kent Golding hops Saison has an aromatic, floral & peppery aroma and a modest hop bite. Our Belgian yeast strain also lends the slightly wild scents of passion fruit and spice. Saison is designed for refreshment & complexity; perfect on its own, or paired with ripened cheeses or classic Belgian-style seafood dishes. Saison bottles are bottle-conditioned, so serve chilled.
ODONATA Saison will be available on draft at select Northern California retailers beginning Friday, April 30, 2010 and will begin distributing bottled Saison in mid-May throughout Northern California. For further information regarding Saison, its availability or other inquiries, please contact Rick Sellers using the information found below.
ODONATA Beer Company is based in Sacramento, Ca. Brewmaster Peter Hoey is an experienced, award-winning brewer as well as an instructor at UC Davis’ prestigious brewing school and The American Brewers Guild. Sales Director Rick Sellers is an experienced beer journalist and former Beer Director for DRAFT Magazine, the world’s largest beer publication. Together Peter & Rick started ODONATA in 2009, with their first beer release (Rorie’s Ale) scoring a 100 on RateBeer and was named one of the best beers in the world.
ABV: 6.4%
IBUs: 24
PKG: 22 oz. bottles
Suggested Food Pairings: Ripened cheese like Cyprus Grove Chevre’s Humboldt Fog; Pasta & Cream Sauce; Steamed Mussels
(The Homebrew Chef has also created a special recipe using Odonata’s saison for Saison-Steamed Mussels.
Serving Suggestions: Store Saison upright at cellar temperature & serve chilled, between 40-48 degrees, in a sturdy glass.
This Saturday, April 24, another festival will be taking place in Sacramento. If yo happen to be up that way — or live nearby, of course — check out the 4th annual Women in Brewing Festival at Rubicon.
Here’s the info, from Rubicon’s blog:
In 2007 the Rubicon Brewing Company established the Women in Brewing celebration. This is an event that digs up the history of women in brewing while spotlighting the talent of those brewers in our industry today. The 4th Annual Women in Brewing Festival will take place at the Rubicon Brewing Company at 2004 Capitol Avenue starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 24th and will go until the beer is gone. Many talented female brewers have been invited to showcase their special recipes and hard to find brews. Some of these ladies will make the journey to the Rubicon Brewing Company to chat with event goers while enjoying a day in the sun with their fellow brewster’s and a pint. This event is not a competition nor is it a “brewfest.” It is a typical day at the Rubicon where we will highlight the fabulous “brewed by women” beer on tap for tasting in sample, goblet or pint along with food specials and, as always, great friends. A silent auction will be held with great prizes donated by local businesses. While honoring and bringing recognition to our women in the brewing industry, the Rubicon Brewing Company is dedicated to raising money and awareness for WEAVE. The event raises more than $4,000 to support crisis intervention services for victims of sexual assault. WEAVE is the primary provider of crisis intervention services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.
Denise Jones, the head brewer at Moylan’s will be on hand, and probably additional brewsters, too. Stop by and help support a worthy cause. When I first met my wife, she was heavily involved in volunteering for a similar organization in the South Bay, Next Door, so it’s an issue near and dear to me and my family.
The beers below will be served Saturday, and each one was brewed by a female brewer:
- Auburn Alehouse: Scarlet Red
- Blue Frog: Ginger & Meyer Ann
- Lost Coast: Scotch Ale
- Moylans: Hell’s Lager
- Rubicon: Bull of the Woods, Stardancer, 80 Grit
- Santa Cruz: Witches Wit
- Sierra Nevada: Summerfest, Scotch Ale
- Urthel Al: Hop It, Samarath
