Move Over Wine! The Craft Beer Rally is Real

A month or so ago, The Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the symbol of superb wines in magnificent European style architecture, and in a restaurant that was one of the few in the country to win the Grand Award from Wine Spectator 6 times for its wine collection, presented a Ballast Point Beer Dinner. An act of heresy, was my first thought.  Surely the new ownership knew of the history of wine in this palace, some 15,000 bottles in sumptuous underground cellars to enhance the 5 diamond, 5 star Addison with Master Chef William Bradley.

Derek Killermann, sales rep, and Steve Anderson, Senior Brewer for Ballast Point Beer,
at the Fairmont Grand Resort, in Del Mar.

But this night, “prost” ( German for ”cheers”) was heard in the halls of the Grand’s Clubhouse Grill as they welcomed the Ballast Poin Beer team pairing 4 beers with a four course dinner from chef Joshua Dorfner, plus a basic Pale Ale during the reception. The four were:

Dorado Double IPA, Piper Down Scottish Ale, Victory at Sea Porter and Grunion Pale
Ale. Craft beer evolves around Pale Ale, the malt used in brewing is of a pale color with lots of hops to increase alcohol content which can get up to 10% (on the Piper Double IPA.)  San Diego has been on a tear with the number of breweries increasing exponentially.

Yellowtail Pale Ale is the basic craft beer from such major beer labels as San Diego ’s Ballast Point.

The city of Vista boasts 14, more craft breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S. , and the city has set up a development fund to ultimately increase the number of micro-breweries to 58.  They are considering naming that part of Highway 78 that runs through the city to “ Hops Highway .” Pale Ale is the basic brew that has done the job for such San Diego brands as:  Stone ( #10 in Craft Beer Sales in the U.S. ), Ballast Point (#29) and Karl Strauss ( #41). We’re not talking small change here.

In2011, brewers and brew pubs generated almost 300 million dollars in sales in San Diego County .  Like winemakers, brewmasters yearn for that individual taste and flavor, and the people at Ballast Point feel they have it in the Sculpin India Pale Ale.  Because of its hoppy sting, it was named Sculpin after San Diego’s local rockfish, with poisonous spines but delicious meat.

Hops are added at five different stages.  High in alcohol for a beer, this one is clocked at 7.7%.  Sculpin has hooked the 2010 and 2014 Beer Gold Cup. Today, there are four locations for Ballast Point as they get ready for the Octoberfest season, the biggest beer drinking event of the year. You can drink and eat in most locations:  Miramar , Scripps Ranch and in San Diego ’s Little Italy and Linda Vista districts.

Restaurants that just paid lip service to their beer list are now catching on and you now can select from many craft beers, mostly on tap.  The latest, Chandler ’s in Carlsbad , is typical of the promotions with their “Tap Thursdays.”  Four local brews go for just $8. every Thursday.

Before I fell in love with wine and founded TASTE OF WINE in 2005, I co-founded and managed the Encinitas Oktoberfest, now in its 20th year, for the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and “Mr. Encinitas” Edgar Engert. I ran the first 10 and it was a fun run of Authentic German Bavarian culture that I was happy to be a part of.

This year it is Sunday September 20th from 10 to 6pm, on Mountain Vista Drive and El Camino Real. Some 200 vendors, food, beer, wine and soft drinks, live Oompah Pah music and
 games will keep you coming back for more. Ballast Point  beer will be here for your tasting pleasure, as well as others. Details at the chamber’s web site at:  encinitasoktoberfest.com.

Wine Bytes
The 2nd annual Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival  is planned for Fri. Oct. 2nd through Sun. Oct. 4th with some of the nation’s biggest chefs exhibiting their individual talents while spotlighting Orange County’s best restaurants, wine experts and wineries. Sat. and Sun. from 1 to 5pm,  over 30 restaurants will keep you sampling their best along with  cooking demonstrations. Sit in on elite wine panels, with over 200 world-renowned wines tasted, even rare “cult” wines.  Live  Jazz music is promised.  This event is brought to you by Southern Wine & Spirits.  All events and pricing can be found at newportwineandfood.com.  Also dial up 888-511-FEST.

La Gran Terraza at the USD Hahn University Center has its Wine and Dine events going.  Wine paired dinners with Chateau Ste. Michelle on Sept. 22nd, Antinori on Oct. 6th, Gaja Winery on Oct. 13th.  Cost is $50. pp.  Call 619-849-8205 for  RSVP and times.

Vigilucci’s in Leucadia presents Pairings Prevail Tues. Sept. 15th from 6:30 to 7:30pm.  Cost is $20. for this benefit sensory experience of wine and food. Call 760-802-8402. RSVP with limited seating.

South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa in Temecula invites you to the Blessing of the Wines, Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival, Sun. Sept. 20th, from 4 to 7pm.  Dine and dance, live music, exciting prizes for stomp competition.  $55. general admission, wine club price is $50.  For tickets visit: store.wineresort.com.