It's quite possible I'm still hung over from the Tiki Beer Festival that took place over the…read moreweekend. I don't remember wearing my Hawaiian ensemble like everyone else but I sure was "lei-d"! Talk about the gathering of the best of the best. I mean I don't want to name drop but I'm sure you want to know which breweries partook in this brew-licious event this year, no? Don't fret, I snapped a pic of the Brewery Directory so all ya folks who didn't make it know what you missed out on. From countless ales, sours, stouts, IPA's, whatever your kind of brew is, they had it. I have to admit I was in IPA heaven. The Bruery's very own Offshoot Beer which they named "Relax" was my ultimate fave. It's a hazy IPA with a whole lot of citrus notes and allspice. Another hit was Towne Park's Sheriff DIPA with citra hops, passion fruit, and mango. Just wow! Imagine never-ending pours, festive music, and food for purchase from vendors like Adya, Promenade Pub, The Butchery, Urbania, and Lido Bottle Works, there's really no better way to spend your Saturday afternoon. And the weather was icing on the cake. This was a well-organized event brought to you by OC's favorite beer blogger, Greg Nagel. Here's a pat on the back for a job well done. Until next year's rubbing elbows with fellow craft beer lovers....Cheers!

Firkfest is awesome combination of Oktoberfest and Halloween celebrating local breweries!read more

Always a good time…read more Arrive EARLY. For a 6:30 concert, I've gotten there as early as 5:30 and still had to sit midway, and park even further. Good thing the neighbors don't mind you parking in front of their homes, and that you can see from every vantage point on the lawn. The sound is also excellent quality. Great folk attend these concerts too. It's not the Hollywood Bowl, where folk are sharing their wine and pizza, but you put your blanket down to walk and get something to eat, it's respected until you get back. Always vendors available for snacks.

Family friendly fun in the park!…read more Lakewood annually holds concerts in the park. Del Valle Park, to be exact. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#RUEdvLL5qBlWtSUSZfo7zQ For those wanting munchies, the Lakewood Artists' Guild grills up burgers & dogs http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#_D5tpigLQTaoy_OGQSMPdQ Mr. B's Kettle Corn is a sponsor & sells their tempting goods http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#f1Rpp-crQwTGEQQxatb-qQ Pre-concert, Lakewood employees launch T-shirts & dolls out into the audience. Head's up! 2014's schedule is as follows 6/19 - The Smokin' Cobras - 50's 6/26 - Stone Soul - 60's 7/3 - Jungle Boogie - 70's http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#4r7KGnl3UD8X8UYCUf4lDg http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#gXi_-HJzaiSS9-5m3ImTew http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#DrFk0rBlmR3Ng3UDQce5Rg http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#tMv8TV-x_ey_jduYR4s0AQ 7/10 - Knyght Ryder - 80's http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#ObrJ7BoL8yxnOiSVfLJzzA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#eShXKKj5YLTCiGH0MRV1qA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#TdefRBQpvcPvocGG1OVugw 7/17 - In The Mixx - 90's http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#tLi6UY36c8PSc956-1wYvg http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#zU6rJOVKzrtpPuVB8uhBXQ http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#uGTl2JuH-ScQXLS-Q8WY7g 7/24 - Doo Wah Riders - Country 7/31 - The Answer - Classic Rock 8/7 - Hollywood U2 - Tribute Band I burned a lot of calories shaking my badonkadonk on this hot summer night http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#FOU0d3ADjrQQsi6mIvvoBA Some of my line dancing buddies, who were in a class at the Artesia Community Center with me http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#-9AZ61IBXzkgLFP1nP_9xA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#yDpM0JwHoYzRs-dK5kUhLg New dance partners http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lakewood-concerts-in-the-park-lakewood#kWadfavaJCFuMAaVkCWTHQ FYI - Alcohol, grills & dogs are not allowed at the park Parking is located in the adjacent residential streets. Summer fun, listening to some cool tunes under our beautiful SoCal skies. Every year, I try to hit up most of the concerts. For 2014's lineup, I highly recommend checking out Knyght Ryder & The Answer. Knyght Ryder is an 80's tribute band & I'm in love with everything 80's. The Answer has a lot of schwag that they toss out to the crowd during their show. Enjoy a summer evening with some great live music. Highly recommend!

In the middle of Huntington State Beach at Magnolia popped up Huntington Beach Beer Festival on a…read moreSunday, August 2014. Just a bunch of ropes to contain the herd, about 30 beer vendors and roughly 3 food trucks, but for $35-50 entry fee it was pretty intriguing to people like myself with nothing better to do than to sample as many craft brews as possible. The "VIP" line stretched for a good 100-200 yards which was kind of a bummer for anyone like me who showed up 15-20 minutes before the stated start time (1pm) and were about 250th in line on this warm summer day. Non-VIPs had OK, though they couldn't get in until 2pm, and the ticket scanning system could have gone off a tiny bit smoother but there's a first time for everything, no? Anyway 45 minutes later I was freed from my chains and ready to indulge. Once you got in, it was fun wandering around from booth to booth to get your brew on, and pretty much all the beer was worth the wait. Many tasty choices and even frozen beer to sample, which were virtually unlimited in the number of cupfulls you could enjoy. Lines were kinda bugging at first but even though the lines didn't really get shorter, once you had a few beers in you, then you didn't really notice. Hot breezy day but didn't even notice after my 5th or 6th cup. Or maybe it was my second frozen cup. Many of the stalwarts were there like Stone Brewing, but also some of the good local ones like Four Sons, and even some tiny mom&pop craft brewers I hadn't really heard of before. All in all it was a good time and can't wait to experience more of this kind of fun and beer shenanigans, and live music which kicked in after hour two. Food was OK, that's about the one thing (besides the lines) that could've probably improved. But hey I wasn't really there for the food, just needed something to help absorb all that beer and knock down my growing hunger by the end of the event. The upcoming Newport Dunes Beer Festival is put on (organized and run) by the same folks and I'm hoping for an even bigger and better bash this time around.

OMG... I volunteered for Rock star beer at the HB Beer…read moreFestival on Aug 26, 2017. What a blast! So much fun. I was fortunate enough to work beside Scott who Is a distributor for Ace Premium Craft Beers. We poured 4 delicious craft ciders. Berry, Apple, blood Orange and pineapple! The crowd couldn't get enough of these delicious Beers.. Between all the amazing Beers, the great food, and the band made for a perfect day. Just want to say thanks to everyone who put all this together.. and thank you Scoot and Josh for giving me the opportunity to experience something new! To anyone who hasn't experienced the Beer Festival? It's a great time.

* Boysenberry festival* Located inside knots berry farm near…read morethe old town hall. You don't need to get the taster pass to enter. You are free to walk in and order. I got the 4 item boysenberry seasonal alcoholic beverage flight for $32. Ordered the 1. I can't believe it's not boysenberry haze IPA 7.4% 2. Hop valley - pineapple Stash house hazy IPA 6.7% 3. Boysenberry espresso martini 16% 4. Boysenberry hurricane 12.5% I am a cocktail type of gal, and I loved the boysenberry hurricane, it was the prefect combination of sweet and strong ! if you definitely want something that has a kick get the boysenberry espresso martini!!! They also have food items here as well! And if you don't have a food card no worries. You are able to purchase them here to sample multiple boysenberry food items or purchase single items!

Anything could be happening here so make sure to check it out when you're at Knott's Berry Farm…read more I've been here for a Boysenberry preview party, Halloween maze and recently their Knott's Merry Farm celebration where they were serving Christmas themed desserts, drinks and food AND they had a professional photo set-up where you could get a free photo with Santa! Again, it looks like nothing interesting would be happening in here when you walk by, but just go inside and take a look because they're always changing it up.

First time at a CA Beer Festival. Decided to go because it is CRAFT beer. No Corona, no heineken,…read moreno bud lights, yuck. Unlimited US breweries serving their signature beers by design. Again, UNLIMITED. There were over 30 canopies where most breweries served at least 2 types. Many of them had won Gold in numerous competitions, which makes me very curious what made them so special. Stand in line. There were not only beers but a wine tent, Mike's Hard Lemonade and Cayman Jacks margarita (would've never tried this but it was SO REFRESHING I would get this for a party). OH, not to mention a ton of free cigar samples we got, from Swishers. Blueberry is my fave. The one time to promote their beers, the perfect plan to take a step ahead of the growing competition of the best craft. Come for the experience. Get a souvenir cup of 4 oz, with a mark at the 3oz line allowing for foam to dissipate. ALL tents filled the cup to the 3oz or more, some spilled, multiply that by about 12 cups tried, we had 33 oz+ of beer (=1L the size of a German stein) Difference is, these were ALL different. Amber, IPA, Lagers, ESB, Belgium...... Got tipsy? you bet. Craft beer is usually strong, one even had a 10% ABV! THE FACTS: -5 of us got alcohol rights plus one designated driver! -Long lines but moved fast. -Drink start pouring from 1pm-5pm nonstop -Live music throughout -Hint giving free bottles of cold water -6 food trucks (I got the German currywurst+german roll, not like the authentic but good still); friends got Indian, southern BBQ, wraps... -XIOS energy drinks for free, sunglasses, bags, stickers, all sorts of promotional stuff - Check in on YELP, got more stuff -Other food tents -Getting tipsy/drunk guaranteed -Finally finding out what that beer you always saw at the alcohol aisle tasted like! at least for me it did - Unmistakable California vibe, love it! NOTABLE: - Karl Strauss Brewery from San Diego, CA (Red Trolley Amber and Pintail Pale Ale) - Firestone Walker Brewing Co - Cayman Jacks Margarita - Angel City Brewery - Grand Teton Brewery - Goose Island - Winner of the Competition announced at the end, Dale Bros. - Honestly can't remember most of the names We mixed wine, beer, whatever is in Cayman jacks and Mike's Hard Lemonade and topped it off with cigars. Got hungover by 6pm. A fun experience, but i might've set my expectations too high having been to Munich last October. Kudos to American brewery. We then went on to jump into a friends pool, clothes, sunglasses and all. That's how far the alcohol went.

This was one of the best beer festivals we have been to! The individual in the last review said…read moreall of the beer companies didn't show up...this may be true but there was still so much beer that it would almost be impossible for one person to try every single one. I liked the set up as the booths were close together. We recently went to a beer fest in San Diego and you had to walk like a mile between each booth and that cut into our drinking time. They had a band playing some great cover songs and a giant California bear taking pictures with people. The tickets were $40 ($35 presale) and it included hours of unlimited tasting. They even had Guinness flavored ice cream for sale! Overall, great festival for any beer lover.

So much fun. Great costumes, great music and smiles on everyone's faces. Parking is easy and…read morethere's food vendors as well.

This was my first time going to this event. Not sure if I'd go again, but I'll give you the pros…read moreand cons. Pros: 1. Lots of beer and a good variety of it! I believe there were about 90 vendors, each pouring about 2-3 of their beers on average. Great opportunity to try breweries that you've never been to. 2. The park is big and there's lots of shade and trees, which came in handy on a 90 degree day like today. 3. Lots of porta potties available throughout the park. 4. A decent selection of food vendors. 5. Beer lines are not too long and the lines go fast. 6. Lots of discount ticket codes available online for this event. Just do a search and you can save $5-10 per ticket. 7. Free water & soda. 8. Water mist blowing in certain sections of the park to keep people cool. 9. There's a shuttle service, but they don't start taking people back to the off-site parking lot until 3:30pm, so if you want to leave early, you're stuck. Cons: 1. There is only one way in and out of the park, and the lines can be long. It's worth it to buy the VIP pass for $10 more and get in an hour early to avoid the long lines. 2. Cops are waiting at the entrance/exit. Definitely have a designated driver or have someone drop you off (friend, Uber, etc). 3. Ticket prices are kind-of high, even if you can find a discount code online. I think $35 general admission is fair. 4. The food vendors were spread out in different areas. I think it'd be better to put them all in one section. Also, food is an extra cost (not part of the ticket). 5. No maps available. 6. No cell phone service available in the park. You have to catch a ride from someone to get back to the entrance if you want to call Uber. If you're a beer aficionado, then you'll love it! I'd give this event 3.5 stars overall. For 2 VIP tickets plus Uber, the total event came out to $150. Not worth it if you're just an occasional beer drinker.

I've been to enough similar events to have reasonable expectations and be disappointed by this…read moreevent. It was still fun, but improvements are needed to make this the great event it has the potential to be. There are so many things right about this event. It's in a unique and fun location (Tustin Hangar where they used to house blimps). There are dozens and dozens of vendors and room for even more. On paper, it sounds pretty perfect. In reality, the event space was incredibly dark and a significant portion of the lights were out for part of the night (music disappeared too, so probably a power issue). Mood lighting is great, but you shouldn't have to get your face right up to the bottles of wine or plates of food to figure out what is being offered. Some areas had better lighting than others, but they really need to get lighting everywhere. Tea light candles don't cut it. The other major issue was that so many vendors packed up and left before the first or second hour. So if you passed something earlier thinking you'd go back and try it later, too bad! Props to Fresh Brothers and Piadina for having food up until the end of the event. With an event this large, it's just not possible to do it all within an hour (at least not if you want to enjoy it), so it's terrible that some restaurants were gone before an hour had passed. If you are thinking of purchasing a ticket, let this serve as a warning so you will be prepared and not disappointed as I was. It's still a good event, but it has so much more potential.

Awesome event! They had tons of food and drinks and this was all inside of the Tustin Hangar. I've…read moreheard of the building several times but have never had the chance to actually go inside. It is my understanding that they used to house blimps inside of this building. Such a unique and interesting venue! I was very surprised with how organized this food festival actually was. I've been to a few food walks/festivals and they've always been so cluttered. They did an amazing job with organization. As soon as you enter they had several workers handing out wine glasses with the cutest Tustin Food and Wine logo on it. This would be your glass for most, if not all, of the tastings. Each vendor provided water for you to rinse out your glass with before a new taste. Most of the food was to the right side of the room and the alcohol to the left side of the room. Although it is titled a food and wine festival, they had such a wide variety of food and alcohol. They were serving everything from wine and beer to sake bombs and shots of bourbon. As for food vendors they had plenty of options. They were serving poke, clam chowder, indian food, and so much more. Expect to be full 15 minutes in. The only critique I truly have for this event is the lighting. I think they were going for a darker ambiance but it was very difficult to read the vendors signs or even see what they were serving. It was so hard to take any photos or videos. All in all, it was a great event. I could definitely see myself coming back next year. If you get a chance to go, come with an empty stomach and comfortable shoes.

A Feast for the Senses at Newport Dunes: California's Ultimate Summer Celebration…read more What an unforgettable surprise! Newport Dunes proved to be the perfect setting for a quintessential California summer event--an indulgent celebration of world-class vineyards, gourmet cuisine, and coastal charm. With the sun shimmering over the water and music pulsing through the air, this festival brought together the best of Southern, Central Coast, and Northern California. Wineries That Stole the Show Guests were treated to pours from a dazzling array of top-tier wineries, including: Austin Hope, Bianchi, McPrice Myers, Ancient Peaks, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Adobe Road, Alta Colina Vineyard, Aperture Cellars, Booker Vineyard, Benardus, Bodega de Edgar, CASS Winery, Caymus, Cooper Cane, Decimal Wines, Delicate, Dracaena, Eberle, Howell at the Moon, Linne Calado, Jeremy Nickel Cellars, JUSTIN Vineyards, Just Enough Wines, Miraval, New Zealand Wine Navigator, ONX Wines, Paul Hobbs, Pasosecco, Prestige Wine Imports, Rancho Capistrano Winery, Robert Mondavi, Ruffino, Sinegal Estate, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Tercero Wines, Thacher, TRUSS Wines, Ulloa Cellars, Vinos Unidas, WENTE, Vinyl Vineyards, Zanoli Wines, Xygyny, and Wine Guy & Wine Gal. Culinary Heaven The food offerings were nothing short of spectacular, with bites from beloved restaurants like: Baba G, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Cambalache & Villa Roma, Chelas Mexican Kitchen, City Cruises, Crema Artisan Bakers & OC Baking Co, CUCINA enoteca, Descanso, Ellie's, Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens, Five Crowns & SideDoor, Francium Chocolate, Georgia's Restaurant, Great Maple, Lola's by MFK, Korea Restaurant, Lover Boards, Luke's Lobster, Melissa's Produce, Miss Mini Donuts, Prego, Puerto, Rancho Capistrano, Rangeen Kitchen, Red O, Rise Rooftop Lounge at The Westin Anaheim Resort, Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria, Scratch Bakery Cafe, SOHO Taco, Sol Cocina, Strong Water Anaheim, Sushi Raku, Ten Sushi Cocktail Bar, The Crack Shack, The Mayor's Table, The Yellow Chili, Trevor's at the Tracks, Verde: Seasonal California Cuisine, Wahoo's Fish Tacos, and Westwood Steak House. Craft Cocktails & Refreshments Guests sipped on signature cocktails and premium spirits courtesy of: Licor 43's 2025 Welcome Cocktail, Stella Artois (with a complimentary glass!), Maker's Mark, Flecha Azul Tequila, Aspen Vodka, Pap's Pilar Rum, Mixology Masters by Licor 43, Waterloo, and San Benedetto Water for a refreshing finish. The Dessert Garden As if the savory offerings weren't enough, the Dessert Garden was a dreamscape of indulgence featuring decadent chocolates, cakes, and confections from: RISE Rooftop, The Crema Cafe & OC Baking Company, Melissa's Produce, Honey Pot Meadery, Rancho Capistrano Cafe, and Francium Chocolate. Vibes & Entertainment The energy was electric--dancing, mingling, sipping, and savoring to the nonstop rhythm of the resident DJ. The crowd was lively, the atmosphere magnetic, and the dunes of Newport provided a stunning coastal backdrop for it all. Final Thoughts This event was a marathon of pleasure and indulgence. Every moment was worth the time, effort, and expense. It's officially my favorite food and wine event--surpassing others I've attended across the country. If you're ever in California during the summer, this is a must-experience celebration. I'll definitely be back next year.

Really well organized event! Come thirsty & hungry! There are so many vendors, mostly from Orange…read moreCounty, but there were a good number of wineries from Paso Robles, SLO and Napa as well. My friends and I won tickets. I don't think I would pay $250 for this. The one in LA is $150 and is much bigger. Nonetheless, we were grateful to be able to attend & made the most of the 3-hours we were there. What stood out: Silver Trumpet's bacon wrapped dates Sweetgreen's Chef crafted steak and chicken bites Rangeen's Chicken Tikka Masala Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Austin Hope's wines Hi-Times wines J-Lo's Delola cocktails, particularly the berry flavor There were many more I liked, but can't recall the names of the restaurants and wineries for the items I tried. It was an eating and drinking frenzy! Parking was an extra $15.