August 18, 2008

Coverage and Photos from Stone 12th Anniversary Celebration

Dan Dan's Blog, Events, Oskar Blues Brewing, Rogue Ales, Rubicon Brewing, Russian River, Stone Brewing, Victory Brewing 1

TheFullPint.com returned to North San Diego County for Stone Brewing’s 12th Anniversary Celebration and Invitational Beer Festival. Last year’s celebration was so much fun, it was a given that we would do our best to make it every year.

With over 30 different beers from USA and Europe, and some spectacular food, there was tons of energy in the warm air.

$TheFullPint.com\'s Own Pooter and Mike$

Because this event was held at California State University, San Marcos, it allowed for many more people to experience this one of a kind festival. The size of the crowd seemed to have tripled since last year. Everyone was buzzing about what beers they wanted to try. Tents pouring Avery, Russian River, and North Coast beers seemed to have really long lines but I gave in, and stood in line for Russian River’s Pliney the Elder, and it was worth it. Not to be out done by their guests, Stone Brewing served casks of their 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, as well as an American Oaked version. I am a fan of 12th, and having it on tap and cask was quite the treat.

While we have had many beers on that list, there was one brewery I would like to give the nod too, as the MVP of the festival. Oskar Blues from Lyons, CO sent cans of Dale’s Pale Ale and Old Chub Scottish Style Ale. I am a huge fan of Dale’s and Old Chub, and have had them both on tap and in can. It was great that they served them in cans, as it seemed to make the line go faster. Also, one of the volunteers was nice enough to offer me the entire can for two tasting tickets. Being a husky guy in the hot sun, it seemed like an offer I could not refuse. Honorable mention goes to Brewery Ommegang, who poured samples of Ommegang Abbey Ale. I have never tried it before, and found it to be magical.

$Mike\'s Beer Cheese$ $Rubicon\'s Monkey Knife Fight$

We got to meet new people, hand out super sweet TheFullPint.com t-shirts, and finally meet some of the key players at Stone. I got to meet CEO and Co-Founder Greg Koch, as well as the man behind stonebrew.com and Mike’s Beer Cheese, Mike Palmer. It took all my restraint to not ask for autographs! After we ran out of taster tickets, we cruised over to Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens, for a few more beers and a growler fill of Stone 10th Anniversary Ale. All and all, a Stone-ariffic day in the sun.