The 8th annual Double IPA Festival took place Saturday at the Bistro in Hayward, California. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. After weeks of rain, blue skies and a warm sun filled the sky. I think a lot of festival-goers were coaxed out of hibernation by the beautiful day. And what better way to spend it but enjoying countless Imperial IPAs?

 

Though I began my morning sequestered in the cellar, judging the beers to deterime the top three. Clockwise from bottom left: Tom Dalldorf, Kenny Gross, Barry Marshall, Rodger Davis, me, Christian Kazakoff, Rick Sellers and Paul Marshall.

Released from our cave, the entrance to the Bistro was filled with people enjoying the festival.

There was even a line hugging the side of the building waiting to get in the festival.

Around the side, a large tent gave more space and was where roughly half the beers were served.

Rye Girl and Beerbitzch were posing for photos.

And then were joined by a friend. When someone joked that these pictures would be on the internet, the three seemed quite pleased. Who am I to disappoint?

Out front again. Rodger Davis’ wife Claudia (from 21st Amendment), brewster Melissa Myers (working on opening her own brewpub), Shane Aldridge (brewer at Marin & Moylan’s) and Mark Worona (with Brewers Supply Group).

The two Shawns: 21A brewer Shaun O’Sullivan and Sean Paxton, the Homebrew Chef.

Bistro owner Vic Krajl with Adrienne McMullen and Melissa Myers.

Shaun and Bulletin fan Jim enjoy their traditional can of Falstaff.

Tim, who’s opening a new brewery in Sonoma — New Bavarian Brewery, Sean Paxton, Vinnie Cilurzo, from Russian River Brewing, and the Beer Chef, Bruce Paton.

ViC Krajl announces the winners of the Double IPA Festival.

Ed Chainy, from Anderson Valley Brewing, and publican emeritus Dame Judy Ashworth.

Arne Johnson, from Marin Brewing, accepts the medal for third place, on behalf of his sister brewery, Moylan’s. Denise Jones’ Hopsickle took the bronze. (This photo courtesy of Dave Hopgood from Stone Brewing. Thanks, Dave.)

The silver went to Bear Republic’s Racer X, and one of their deliverymen picked up the medal.

First pace went to Colorado’s Flying Dog Brewery for their Double Dog. Kenny Gross, who works for their local distributor, shyly accepted the medal.

And the crowd went wild!

The People’s Choice Award, for the second year running, went to Russian River Brewing for Pliny the Younger.

Brewer Vinnie Cilurzo proudly shows off his medal … or does he? (This photo also courtesy of Dave Hopgood from Stone Brewing. Thanks, Dave.)

After the announcements, the crowd resumed enjoying themselves, and the music continued. The festival lasted another four hours, but having started judging well before the festival began, I left the revelry to the rest.