Earlier this month, the family and I drove the five plus hours to Mammoth Lakes, California, which is on the other side of the Sierras, near Mono Lake. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, especially with unruly toddlers in the back seat, but, in the end, well worth the trouble. If you’re a rock freak like I am, the place is just beautiful with all sort of alien landscapes with gorgeous views and places to explore. If you’re interested, here are a few pictures we took exploring the area. But the real reason we were in town was for the 12th annual Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza.

The festival was started by Mammoth Lakes Brewery, the area’s only craft brewer. Here their signature truck sits out in front of the festival grounds, Sam’s Wood Site near downtown.

There is two days of great music, but the “Festival of Beers” portion of the event is only on Saturday and a huge line to get snakes down the road and into the woods as hundreds, and possibly thousands, wait for the festival to begin.

The first band to perform was the brewing industry’s own Rolling Boil Blues Band, who with a fantastic sound system never sounded better.

The enigmatic Bruce Joseph, from Anchor Brewery, on bass.

The Boil after the gig. Fom left: Marc Cohen, Rod DeWitt, Tom Dalldorf, Bruce Joseph and Ken Hickmott.

The stage is in a wooded area surrounded by tall conifers but it’s fairly large and open, allowing a lot of people to see the stage and hear the music.

The beer festival is behind the music area, also in the woods with booths scattered around in the mostly shaded site.

Arne Johnson and Shane Aldrich, both from Marin Brewing.

Brewer Chuck Silva from Green Flash Brewing.

Anchor fixture Bob Brewer serves a festival-goer.

“Crazy Dave” Heist from Hoptown Brewing.

Michael Bowe from Angel City Brewing.