Thomas Vincent, from Geistbear Brewing Blog, has announced the topic for the June Session, to take place on Friday, June 6. The theme will be “Beer Festivals,” and he elaborates as follows:

Do you have a favorite beer festival you like to attend or a particular memory of inspirational moment at a festival? Or perhaps talk about what you would like to see out of festivals or perhaps the future of them. All is fair game, I look forward to seeing where people take this topic.

So put on your thinking caps, and get ready to write about beer festivals this coming D-Day, June 6.

Today at 3:00 p.m. (left coast time), the online auction for FredFest begins, and will close on Sunday, also at 3:00 p.m.

Here’s some of what’s up for auction, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity. You can find more information about the lots at the Liquid Solutions Blog and the auction itself is at Liquid Solutions.

1. Hair of the Dog Dave 1994 (375 ml)
2. Hair of the Dog Adam #1 1994 (12 oz.)
3. Full Sail Old Boardhead Vertical: 1998 & 1999 (12 oz.), 2001-2007 (22 oz.)
4. Pike Old Bawdy Vertical: 1996-1998, 2006-2007 (12 oz).
5. AleSmith: Old Numbskull (750 ml), Grand Cru (750 ml), Horney Devil (750 ml)
6. Lost Abbey: Older Viscosity (375 ml) Angel’s Share (375 ml), Lost and Found (750 ml)
7. Rodenbach Alexander 1991 (330 ml) and Rochefort 10 1999 (330 ml)
8. Westvleteren 12 1997 (11.2 oz.)
9. Anchor Brewing Commemorative Michael Jackson’s 60th Birthday Beer (1.5 L)
10. And others from Avery, Midnight Sun, J.W. Lees, Big Time, Fish Tale — and more

From the press release:

Beer aficionados across the nation will be reaching for their wallets this weekend when rare beers and vertical collections will be highlighted at the first-ever FredFest Online Beer Auction.

The auction starts at 3 p.m. PDT Friday, May 9 and begins to wrap up at 3 p.m. PDT Sunday, May 11. The auction is designed to run concurrently with FredFest 2008 — a celebration of the 82nd birthday of Fred Eckhardt, the Dean of American Beer Writers, which is taking place May 10 at Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., in Portland.

“FredFest started as a surprise 80th birthday party for Fred, but is coming back around in its third year as a fundraiser in the memory of fellow beer scribe and friend, Michael Jackson,” said FredFest co-organizer Lisa Morrison.

Each year, Eckhardt is asked to choose a charity for FredFest. This year, he chose Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, a local affiliate of the National Parkinson Foundation. Jackson had been battling complications from Parkinson’s disease when he died last summer.

The first-ever FredFest online auction was the brainchild of Hair of the Dog owner Alan Sprints, Ben Love of Hopworks Urban Brewery and Matt Maples of Liquid Solutions bottle shop.

It’s for a worthy cause, so bid generously.

I came across a website the today, while trying to read the Danish article, that had the ability to be translated into a variety of languages. I thought being able to reach a significantly wider audience seemed like a cool idea, so I did a little digging around and settled on a WordPress plugin, the Taragana Translator Pro. You can see it there in the right-hand sidebar under the heading “Translate the Bulletin.” Simply click on the flag representing one of the thirteen available languages, and voilà, it will reload the page in that language. You can then navigate to any post or page on the Bulletin and it will stay in that language. To return to English, simply click on the Union Jack flag.

The 13 languages you can now read the Bulletin in are:

1. German
2. Spanish
3. French
4. Italian
5. Portuguese
6. Japanese
7. Korean
8. Chinese Simplified
9. Chinese Traditional
10. Arabic
11. Dutch
12. Greek
13. Russian

Of course, I’m barely competent in English, so I have no idea how accurate the translations are. It could be complete gibberish for all I know. Anybody remember Monty Python’s Hungarian Phrasebook sketch? For all I know, every phrase could simply be rendered “my hovercraft is full of eels.” If you’re bilingual and fluent in one of the languages above, please take a look and let me know if the translations are reasonably accurate.

The Oregon Brewers Festival is a mere three months away, but already tickets are on sale for the Oregon Brewers Brunch and Parade, which will take place the morning of the first day of the festival. This year, the brunch will be held at PGE Park, 1844 SW Morrison, on July 24 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The brunch is limited to 300 people. An order form for tickets to the brunch and parade are available online. It will be sponsored by Widmer Bros. Brewing.

From the press release:

Tickets are $20, which includes brunch, Widmer beer, a parade t-shirt and an OBF festival mug (good all weekend long). It’s the deal of the century! The event is limited to 300.

At 11 a.m., brewers and beer lovers will set out for an old-fashioned parade, accompanied by marching band music. The parade will wind its way for approximately one mile through Portland sidewalks to the opening ceremonies and the tapping of the inaugural keg of the 21st annual Oregon Brewers Festival.

Here are some photos from last year’s parade, which began at Rogue.

Portland Mayor Tom Potter with festival organizer Chris Crabb as the parade begins.

The parade wound its way through Portland’s downtown until everyone massed across the street from the festival grounds and crossed the street to enter the festival and tap the ceremonial keg, signaling the opening of the festival.

Perhaps I’ll see you there this year.

Portland’s Fred Eckhardt is a living legend, especially in his home city, having pioneered writing about and defining beer styles with his early book on the subject, The Essentials of Beer Style, published in 1989. A couple of years ago, Portland threw Fred a surprise birthday party for his 80th — called “FredFest.” It’s become an annual event, now in its third year. And this year, the charity event will raise funds for Parkinson’s disease in honor of fellow beer legend Michael Jackson, who passed away last August.

From the press release:

More than 15 rare and unique beers created by some of Oregon’s most celebrated breweries will be on tap at FredFest 2008. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 — the actual date of Eckhardt’s 82nd birthday — at Hair of the Dog Brewing, 4509 SE 23rd Avenue in Portland.

The beer menu is still being firmed up, but brewers are promising to pony up something special for the event. The number of beers for FredFest will increase from last year, according to co-organizer and chief beer wrangler Preston Weesner. Some of the breweries that already have committed to the event include: Hair of the Dog (with a special keg of Jim 07), BridgePort, Deschutes, Widmer, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Rogue and Firestone Walker.

Attendees will be treated not only to a rare assortment of hand-selected beers, but also light fare including pastrami cured with Hair of the Dog Fred ale and a birthday cake — complete with a round of “Happy Birthday” — for Eckhardt. Cheeses, chocolate, candy and even cereal will be offered in abundance so attendees can experience some of Eckhardt’s famed beer-and-food pairings.

Cost for the event is $50 in advance and includes a souvenir glass, free ticket for a raffle of bottled specialty beers and four hours’ of sampling, sipping and story-telling with Eckhardt. Admission is limited to 200 attendees. Judging from previous years, the event is expected to sell out quickly. Tickets are available through Pay-Pal. E-mail fredfest@comcast.net to purchase tickets.

Additionally, this year, a silent auction featuring bottles of rare beers running in conjunction with FredFest, allowing Fred fans across the country to be a part of Eckhardt’s birthday and the FredFest celebration and fundraiser.

As always, proceeds from FredFest and the related online auction will go to a charity of Eckhardt’s choice. This year, Eckhardt named Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, the local affiliate chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation, as the featured charity in memory of his longtime friend and fellow beer writer Michael Jackson, who died in 2007 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

What more could you ask for, great beer and a worthy cause.

Sacramento Brewing will be serving up their Spring Brewmaster’s Dinner on April 23, beginning at 6:30. The dinner will be five courses and the cost is $50. It will be held at their Town & Country location. Call 916.485.4677 for reservations. I’ll probably see you there.

The Menu:

Dinner: 6:30 PM

First Course

Fresh wild Alaskan ivory salmon with spicy pecan butter

Beer: India Pale Ale

Second Course:

Robollita (Italian bean soup)

Beer: Nut Brown Ale

Third Course:

Arugula & spinach salad with sun dried tomatoes, dry salami, and baby mozzarella

Beer: Hefeweizen

Fourth Course:

Seared breast of duck with mushroom cannelloni and golden marsala sauce

Beer: Red Horse Ale

Fifth Course:

Beer poached pear strudel served with Brussels Blonde reduction sauce

Beer: Brussels Blonde

Peter Hoey, brewmaster at Sacramento Brewing (on left), at the GABF Brewer’s Reception last year, along with Rich Norgrove from Bear Republic and Arne Johnson of Marin Brewing.

 
4.23

Sacramento Spring Brewmaster’s Dinner

Sacramento Brewing Co., Town and Country Village, 2713 El Paseo Lane, Sacramento, California
916.485.4677 [ website ]
 

This year’s American Craft Beer Week will be held May 12-18. The focus this time around will be to “celebrate brewers’ community citizenship.” In 2007, craft breweries gave combined donations of more than $20 million to various charities and worthy causes.

From the press release:

“In addition to being recognized for making world-class beer, independent craft brewers are amazing community citizens,” said Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association. ‘Craft brewers are an integral part of many communities’ charitable efforts. They donate to everything from fire departments, disaster relief efforts, local events, educational fundraisers and so much more.

Changed to a weeklong event in 2006, the inaugural American Craft Beer Week was recognized by the U.S. Congress with House Resolution 753. The week has continued to attract interest and support from beer enthusiasts and the media. In 2007, more than 150 brewers registered their community celebrations at the American Craft Beer Week website.

Also new, SAVOR: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience (May 16-17) will be held to commemorate American Craft Beer Week in Washington D.C. The event will showcase craft beer and food pairings with participation from 48 independent craft brewers. SAVOR signifies food and beverage lovers increasing interest and knowledge of beer and food pairings.

Breweries around the country will be hosting events throughout the week to celebrate American craft beer. To find out what’s going on your local area, you can look up events by state.
 

According to a story by my friend and colleague, Brent Ainsworth, in today’s Marin I.J., Iron Springs Brewery in Fairfax will be shutting down operations on August 15 of this year, due to a protracted struggle with their landlord in which the rent was to be raised by 53% in this down market.

The next beer dinner by the Beer Chef will probably sell out faster than any he’s done before. That’s because it will feature five … count ‘em, five … of the most well-known brewers of strong and Belgian-style beers in the country. The “Five Guys and a Barrel” beer dinner will feature Rob Tod (from Allagash), Adam Avery (from Avery), Sam Calagione (from Dogfish Head), Tomme Arthur (from the Lost Abbey) and Vinnie Cilurzo (from Russian River Brewing) all together for one special evening of food and beer.

It will be a four-course dinner, plus a toast at the end of the evening, and well worth the $95 price of admission. It will be held at the Cathedral Hill Hotel on Sunday, April 20, 2008, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Call 415.674.3406 for reservations by April 10. I’ll see you there.

The Menu:

Reception: 7:00 PM

Beer Chef’s Hors D’Oeuvre

Beer: Allagash White and Russian River Blind Pig

Dinner: 7:30 PM

First Course

Citrus Cured Curraun Blue Sea Trout with Accoutrements

Beer: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Avery The Maharaja

Second Course:

Selection of Artisanal Cheeses with House Made Condiments

Beer: Allagash Interlude and Russian River Supplication

Third Course:

A Study in Duck

Beer: Port Brewing Cuvee de Tomme and Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Fourth Course:

Warm Chocolate Mocha Cake with Blood Orange Sabayon and Fig Syrup

Beer: Avery The Beast Grand Cru and Lost Abbey Older Viscosity

Toast:

Beer: Isabelle Proximus

 
4.20

Dinner with the Brewmasters: Five Guys and a Barrel

Cathedral Hill Hotel, 1101 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California
415.674.3406 [ website ]
 

The first beer dinner of spring in the Bay Area will feature Chuck Silva’s beers from Green Flash Brewing Co.. It will be a four-course dinner and well worth the $75 price of admission. It will be held at the Cathedral Hill Hotel on Friday, March 21, 2008, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Call 415.674.3406 for reservations by March 18. I’ll see you there.

The Menu:

Reception: 7:00 PM

Beer Chef’s Hors D’Oeuvre

Beer: Extra Pale Ale

Dinner: 7:30 PM

First Course

Roasted Corn Coulis with Dungeness Crab, Avocado and Cilantro Cream

Beer: West Coast IPA

Second Course:

Crispy Pork Belly with Willey Farms Bloomsdale Spinach, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Relish of Poached Pear

Beer: Trippel

Third Course:

Ravioli of Osso Buco with Laughing Bird Shrimp, Baby Artichoke and Citrus Beurre Blanc

Beer: Le Freak

Fourth Course:

Guittard Chocolate Cake with Sichuan Peppercorn Ice Cream and California Raisin Syrup

Beer: Grand Cru

Green Flash brewer Chuck Silva at last year’s Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza.

 
3.21

Dinner with the Brewmaster: Green Flash Brewery

Cathedral Hill Hotel, 1101 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California
415.674.3406 [ website ]
 

An nice item in the San Francisco Chronicle’s Sipping News today reminded me that there’s only two days until the Celebrator Beer News’ 20th Anniversary Party.

This Sunday, toast the Celebrator at its Mardi Gras-themed 20th Anniversary Party, with more than 35 breweries pouring almost 200 beers - many of which were made especially for the occasion. Dixieland jazz and zydeco bands and plenty of Cajun and Creole food will also be on hand.

All profits will go to the California Small Brewers Association, a nonprofit advocacy group.

The event takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway (near 11th Street), Oakland.

Tickets cost $55, and for $80, VIP tickets will earn you admission an hour early and access to some special limited-production beers.

For tickets, call (800) 430-2337 or visit celebrator.com

You don’t want to miss what promises to be the party of the year. I’ll See you there!

The 2nd annual Slow Beer Festival, again sponsored by the San Francisco Brewers Guild, will take place on Saturday March 1st.

From the Guild’s website:

Saturday, March 1, 2008, noon-4pm, SF County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. Tickets: $50 ($75 VIP ticket includes gift bag and a tour of the participating brewery of your choice). Beer tasting of all 8 breweries of the SF Brewers Guild plus Marin Brewing, Russian River Brewing, North Coast Brewing and other local, artisan breweries. Food from Hog Island Oyster Company, Fatted Calf Charcuterie, Harley Farms Goat Cheese, Acme Bread, and more.

The festival is in association with Slow Food San Francisco and Slow Food USA. The slow food movement began in Italy and is a great organization if you love good food. Their philosophy is simple:

Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

There also more information at the Slow Beer Festival website and tickets can be purchased online, too. See you there.