Sam Fest – Inaugural Los Angeles Barleywine Fest 3-22-14

(Los Angeles, CA) – This winter, the Los Angeles beer community lost a legend, The Stuffed Sandwich owner Sam Samaniego. For those not familiar with Sam, he was a complete beer enthusiast, and a pioneer in the craft beer movement. Long before the days of 38 Degrees Ale House or Blue Palms Brewhouse, Sam and his wife Marlene procured, sold and shared beers most people had never heard of at the time. Whether they were hard to get imports, or beers that were very hard to get, those who shared interest in great beer knew Sam might be able to get a hold of it.

One of Sam’s favorite things to do each year was to attend the Toronado Barleywine Fest up in San Francisco. Up until he got to ill to attend, he would make the trek to the Bay Area to try all the strong, malty beers they had to offer. His love for barleywine was also very much apparent as he has/had the largest collection of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine known to man. Many attribute today’s cellaring culture to Sam.

38 Degrees Ale House had scheduled the first ever Los Angeles Barleywine Festival for March 2014, and when we learned of Sam’s passing last month, we decided it would only be right to dedicate this festival to our friend Sam, and dub this barleywine based event ‘Sam Fest.’

On March 22nd, 38 Degrees will offer over 30 barleywines. Some cellared, some fresh, some hoppy, some barrel aged. We will be pouring sampler sizes of all of these gems for those who want to try a few, as well as full pours. We ask that all that come to celebrate keep in mind that these beers are high gravity and to enjoy with caution.

There is no cover charge for this event, so come out and raise a toast to Sam at Sam Fest, The Inaugural Los Angeles Barleywine Festival.

Please stay tuned as we announce special barleywines. So far, we can share these tasty beers:

AleSmith Brewing Company Barrel Aged Old Numbskull
Almanac Beer Co Heirloom Pumpkin 2013
Avery Brewing Company Hog Heaven 2013
Beachwood BBQ Annihilator 2012
Bear Republic Brewing Co. Olde Scoutter’s 2014
Dogfish Head Beer Old School 2013
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Sucaba
Firestone Walker Helldorado
Firestone Walker Stickee Monkey
Golden Road Brewing/Deschutes Brewery West by Northwest Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine
Mad River Brewing Company John Barleycorn 2011
Marin Brewing Old Dipsea 2010
Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery Kong 2014
Napa Smith Brewery Grateful Dog 2012
Stone Brewing Co. Old Guardian Barely Wine 2004
Stone Old Guardian Barely Wine aged in White Wine Barrels 2012
Stone Old Guardian Barely Wine 2014
Telegraph Brewing Company Rhinoceros 2011