July 21, 2023 – Between aspiring occasions like Have a Bad Day Day (Nov. 19), National Raspberry Popover Day (May 3) and National Cheesy Socks Day (Jan. 21), it’s valid to feel like the official fill-in-the-blank day thing is getting a little loose on the hinges.
California Craft Beer Week—starting today and running through July 30—feels like an antidote, and more helpful than distant cousin National Brew a Potion Day (Jan. 19).
California Craft Brewers Association organizes the week as part of its work advocating on behalf of the state’s 1,100 breweries in front of legislators, regulators and suds lovers.
“Throughout the week, breweries from San Diego to the Oregon border—at more than 100 scheduled events—will open their doors to offer behind-the-scenes tours, tastings, and unique experiences that give attendees an up-close look at the art and science behind brewing,” a Craft Beer Week statement reads. “Meet the passionate brewers who pour their hearts and souls into every batch they brew and gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in creating a perfect pint.”
Evan McLaughlin serves as a CCBA spokesperson.
“California has the best craft breweries in the world, bar none,” he says. “We’re really excited so many are joining the cause—whether brewers or guilds like Central Coast Brewers Guild or just beer fans themselves, piling into taprooms and breweries to enjoy great beer.”
At first glance it didn’t appear many Monterey Bay collaborators were on board with CA Craft Beer Week. (Are we in the “Central Coast” section or the “SF Bay Area” region?) Turns out, for better or worse, most local breweries belong to the Bay Area Brewers Guild.
And at closer inspection, notable Santa Cruz producers are among 20 producing limited-edition beers for the occasion, namely Sante Adarius and Shanty Shack.
And on top of SA and SS, who are involved beyond the collaborative brews, other standout spots are on board.
Woodhouse Blending and Brewing, Fruition Brewing and Greater Purpose all have pledged participation, according to McLaughlin, though it’s not that easy to navigate on their main master sheet.
To further localize the celebration, Edible herein embarks on our own bootleg awards ceremony.
Three preliminary tasting notes are in order:
1) This list is not intended to be exhaustive. Edible wants to observe all important Discretions, while honoring old-school Corralitos Brewing Co. operations and New Bohemia Brewing Company types too.
But sadly there is only enough time before they start playing you off stage. Edible seeks any and all critiques.
Please send us your special day proposals via Instagram and we’ll publish all appropriate nominations.
2) I looked into what it takes to be granted national day distinction.
“If you are looking to celebrate and amplify your cause, brand, or organization, registering with National Day Calendar is guaranteeing success,” its website says. “Establishing your own National Day, Week, or Month will bring special recognition to you, your company, or cause every year.”
So we’re on our way. CCBA, let’s go.
3) None of the nominations below have been submitted to National Day Calendar, but given the likes of National Let’s Pass Gas Day (Jan. 7), I feel secure in their merits.
4) Given the stakes and ceremony, some opening remarks are in order.
I turned to Jeff White for those.
Sure, he carries the vision, discernment and disposition one would want in any official authority decreeing dedicated special days.
More importantly, as the chief tastemaker of indy rock station KRML Radio—and host of Friday Found Treasures sponsored by Edible—his duties involve weekly Pub Talk sessions that are going on their 560th episode.
Let’s just say he understands adult liquids almost as much as he does music.
Before I can ask for his input on standout Monterey Bay craft beer, he grabs the mic.
“I’m not going to be able to give you an answer,” he says. “If people want a ranking, it’s not helpful. Think of it like music. I like this artist for this and this artist for that. I’m not into ranking. I’m into giving props.”
That said, he does allow for some specific accolades.
“If you’re talking Monterey Bay, you have to start with Sante Adairius and Alvarado Street Brewery,” he says. “Adairius is listed top 10 nationally by reliable experts, and look at how J.C. [Hill, of Alvarado] and his team have raised the profile of our beer scene and brought people with them. He realizes a rising tide floats all boats.
“Those two might be obvious, but you have to start with them.”
And…without further ado, the new nominations for perpetual holidays and the breweries that should receive them, host them and promote them:
Female Brewer Day • Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
If folks simply blind tasted a pint of Unicorn Tears IPA, they’d understand awesome beer knows no further identification. Reality reminds us the industry continues to seek balance between talent and gender. Thankfully some of the very best beer anywhere around here comes out of SCMB, thanks to head brewer and co-owner Emily Thomas and team. And it’s organic!
Happy Hour Day • Peter B’s BrewPub
Enter another under-repped brewer doing inspired stuff, Natalie Mika provides fluid revelations like the “quick sour” with a galaxy of tart stone fruit of apricot, peach and cherry to cut the rich curds, tempura, pizza and wings that make the double 4-6pm plus 9-10pm happy hour deals work. (Edible has its time-space engineers working on how an hour can be more than an hour—and also a day—so you can focus on eating and sipping.)
Monterey Bay West Coast IPA Day • Humble Sea
White just spotted their goods in his native Carolina, i.e. the East Coast. That’s a way of saying Humble Sea is doing a lot of things, including expanding to new audiences with new venues, constantly juicing its subscription crowd with fresh releases, and overachieving with dynamic India Pale Ales that elevate the genre that the Golden State owns.
Video Gaming with Craft Beer Day • Oscar’s Playground
Beverage enthusiast Stuart Thornton, big game hunter of fun flavor, turned Edible onto this one. The air hockey, pop-a-shot, realistic moto racing and Jurassic Park sniper games aside, they stock Alvarado Street Brewery flagship Mai Tai IPA and more. This new arcade on Cannery Row is (benevolently) overstimulating and (for now) underappeciated.
Canned Craft and Pinball Day • Pinball Parlor and Can Slangery
The pioneering Seaside hub packs in a surreal selection of modern and old-school pinball machines. And its canned beer selection tops it, somehow (maybe Can Slangery should come first in the name). Whatever the case, they work best in tandem.
Mug Club Day • English Ales
First they pioneered local craft ale, then partnering with area watering holes on branding their brews with house names attached. The OG Marina HQ also deploys a mug situation to admire: buy a 22-ounce personalized mug ($30 to sign up) and you can fill it while paying the same amount as commoners do for a pint, as long as you do it every six months. Some 1,200 mugs hang from the ceiling. There is a waiting list, but spots open up as quickly as the beer goes down. (OK, not that fast.)
Hollister Parklet Craft Beer Day • Mad Pursuit Brewing Co. and Pour Decisions Taproom
Within less than a block, in the heart of San Benito Street (Hollister’s main drag), flows a wealth of curated California craft surrounded by video games, micro-ferment projects, interesting food and friendly people. Mad Pursuit and Pour Decisions leapt on the mindful sipper’s map mid COVID with scores of largely NorCal-fueled taps that switch out constantly, plus street-side al fresco sipping in parking-spaces-turned-picnic-table-party-zones.
Put Interesting Things in Barrels Day • Hidden Hills
Jeffrey Vitalich, self-described “yeast rancher,” gets wild with his microbes and creations alike, pairing obscure fermentations with aging programs. The results—including a California Craft Beer Summit award-winning dark sour aged in tequila and bourbon barrels—captivate the mindscapes and taste maps of regulars and judges at the same time.
Watsonville Craft Beer Exploration Day • The Slough Brewing Collective
The Slough Brewing Collective provides what Vitalich calls a “super wide array of beer styles that’s always super good.” Wild ales represent a strength that feels right amid an industrial-chic space in an increasingly fertile part of WatsON that seems to have as much going on as any undercover pocket of taste destinations in the tri-county area.
No Television Yes Beer Day • Other Brother Brewery Co.
Break the paradigm. Embrace the conversation. Find new elements. That could be the operating philosophy for any of the craftspeople listed above, and applies specifically here. As White says, “It’s a different brewery. Very communal. Not a sports bar brewery.” That wouldn’t happen without revolving adult beverage inventions with range, but the packed trivia nights and popular live music nights provide a super boost.
A final note, to California craft beer: I can’t quit you.
Unless it’s Jan. 12, National Quitters Day.
About the author
Mark C. Anderson, Edible Monterey Bay's managing editor, appears on "Friday Found Treasures" via KRML 94.7 every week, a little after 12pm noon. Reach him via mark@ediblemontereybay.com.
