Bottles vs. Cans

When the store clerk asks me, “Paper or plastic?”, I sometimes get a glazed look over my eyes.

However, when I go to the store to purchase beer and ask myself bottles or cans the answer is easy. Beer comes in clear, green, brown, opaque bottles and cans.
I recently compared Newcastle Brown Ale in the can and the bottle and found the canned beer more enjoyable that the bottled beer.
Why would it make a difference? UV and florescent lighting changes the hop compounds in beer. The change results in an unpleasant aroma referred to as skunking.
If you like your Corona, grab the case. If you the Lowen brau, grab the case. These beers are very delicate and are better protected in the case than they would be in the six-pack.

21st Ammendment protects is fabulous Watermelon Wheat in a light blocking can

Sacramento Brewing Co.

Sacramento Brews and Review
Sacramento Brewing Co.

Let’s say it’s Sunday and you want to do something special for that someone special.
Or you have family and friends over for the weekend and you want to show them one of Sacramento’s: best restaurants by California Restaurant Association standards, best restaurant voted by local sacramentan’s, and a plus....Sacramento’s most decorated brewery. What better way to do that then to go to Sacramento Brewing Co. for brunch!

Sacramento Brewing Co. was established in 1995 and is located on 2713 El Paseo Lane in the Town and Country Center on the corner of Marconi and Fulton. It became an icon in the Sacramento area by restaurant standards because expert restaurant openers solidly planned the concepts for the restaurant and brewery.

Their website is currently under construction. You can check out what is going on by going to their blog page which is very slick and full of very interesting things that are going on with the restaurant, and the brewery. Sacbrew.blogspot.com.

The restaurant was recently sold due to the passing of Sam Peterson whom I had the pleasure of meeting in 1998. The new owners are smart and know that can’t possibly do much to improve this restaurant. The only plans they have (as of now) are to include beer into some of the menu items. And keep Peter Hoey as the brew master.

Peter Hoey continues to make world-class beer locally. The Red Horse Ale took Bronze at the 2008 World Cup. Previously, his Saison took a medal at the Great American Beer Fest(I hope you didn’t miss that one). Peter Hoey started his career as brewer at SBC when it opened. He then moved on to Sierra Nevada and Bison Brewing Co. During that time he schooled at the American Brewers Guild. Thank you, Peter for coming back to Sacramento. We missed you.

New releases for the month of May include Luna de Meil, a Vienna lager. Especially Peter for his anniversary developed this beer because it is one of the few beers his wife enjoys. A Chili beer, which took best of show at the state fair, will be re-released. Another brewers special being offered is a Maibock.

Sacramento Brewing Co. has happy hour3-6 daily. On Mondays and Tuesdays they have an all you can eat BBQ ribs. If you want to sample all their beer then you can get 5 5oz. Sample for $5.50 or 10 5 oz. Samples for $10.50. If you want to take some of Peters World Class beer home then you can purchase a growler and get it filled for $14.00. Refills are $7.99. Include $1.00 for their premium beers. Keep in mind that is you have a special event coming up whether at work or otherwise, they have a banquet room which seats 10-45 people. On Fridays, they have live music. No matter what day of the week it is, there is always plenty to be had at SBC.


Save the date.
Another way you can support your local brewery is to attend the 2nd Annual Field of Dreams at Raley Field Saturday May 24. 1-4:30 p.m.
This event supports the Northern California Brewers Guild and raises money to help smaller breweries purchase equipment that that would not otherwise be in the budget.
Over 39 breweries will host this event. Surely each brewery will have at least 2 beers on tap. That is a possiblity of 80 different beers to try. That breaks down to 3cents a beer!!! And we're supporting a cause too. Sounds like I will have to be there. Hope to see you there too.
Tickets are available at raleyfield.com/ticketmaster.com and are $25 in advance.

75th Anniversary

Support your local brewery by coming out on April 7 to celebrate the legalization of beer.

Prohibition officially ended on December 5, 1933 with the ratification of the 21st ammendment.

It was a campaign promise to end the national ban on alcohol that helped Franklin D. Roosevelt to win the presidential seat. (wasn't it?) .

Thanks to FDR our quality of life means that we can enjoy the craft of brewers througout the fine state of California and any other place in this great nation.

Brewers and breweries have raised millions of dollars to support communities and charities in our neighborhood. They provide social opportunities with their festivals.

Brewers have a great american entreperneurial spirit when it comes to marketing this great product. So get out on Monday and raise a glass with your friends to the brewers and microbreweries.

Rubicon Brewing Company

If the weather is good, I always choose to sit outside at a restaurant. There is something very European about eating outside on the sidewalk. Tonight at the Rubicon, I will be lucky to get a seat at all.

The Rubicon Brewing Co. has been in operation since 1987 and is one of the few microbreweries in the Sacramento area to offer outdoor seating in a city, which rivals France for the number of trees in the city. It is located downtown at 2004 Capitol Avenue.

On tap you will find fine examples of Czech Pilsner, a pale ale with a fun name, “Monkey Knife Fight”, Amber Ale, Stout, Irish Red Ale. Their IPA is so good they bottle and distribute in 22oz bottles. Check out www.rubiconbrewing.com for stores.

You can try all their beer with their 5oz samplers for $1.50 ea. If you find one you have to take home with you. You can purchase a 1 gal. Growler (or 2) filled for $18. When you come back for refills, it only costs $14. That’s cheaper than their Happy Hour prices on Monday after 5pm and their pint nite on Tuesday after 8pm. A new venue at Rubicon is the Saturday and Sunday Brunch from 8:30-10:00. The menu features very classic and traditional breakfast fares, which are sure to please any tummy.

But you don’t want to miss out on the food and people watching. Whether you sit outside or inside, a Sacramentan can see the cross section of cultures and sub-cultures that beer brings together. Today I see Deadheads, past-active 20/30 members, families, Sac City Derby girls, and Capitol City workers. Brewer, Scott Cramlet, is in front of the bar chatting it up with the locals.

Scott Cramlet, started life as a home brewer and GCBA member. He was barely drinking age when asked to join Rubicon as a brewer. As a result, Scott encourages local home brewers to come down with their mason jars and collect yeast, and have a pint.

In 2-3 weeks there will be some good Mexican lager yeast available. The Mexican lager yeast was used to ferment beer for the 2nd Annual Brewer for the Day winner. This year the winner was Larry Zinky. His beer will be available on May 5th. Just in time for Cinco de Mayo.

Ladies, mark your calendar! The 2nd Annual Women in Brewing will be on April 26th. This event brings together women in the brewing industry to raise money for W.E.A.V.E. This is a non-profit organization, which helps women and children. I cannot think of a better way for us to support our local brewery.

Another way for ladies to win big on this event is to bid on raffle items. The Brewmeister Homebrew Outlet will be contributing 2 seats to their Women’s Brew day. This event is being co-hosted by BJCP Grand Master Beth Zangeri and Silver Medal Winner at last years National Home brewers Conference, Annie Johnson. Both are actively involved in Queen of Beer. This is a nation wide women’s only homebrew competition, which is organized every October in our own back yard.

With the Sacramento weather warming up, I can’t think of a more pleasant way to catch the Sacramento Delta breeze than sitting outside Rubicon with a pint of beer and enjoy the shade of trees and keeping company with the good people of Sacramento.