VENTURA, CA – The final and premiere California Beer Festival of 2015 expands to three big days – Friday, September 18, Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, at Mission Park, 185 E. Santa Clara St., in Ventura. Headlining this year’s Blues & Brews Festival on Sunday, September 20: Southern California’s own, wildly popular guitarist-vocalist, Walter Trout, now fully recovered from last year’s liver transplant, back on tour, and set to release a new album, Battle Scars, in October. Also performing: Mingo Fishtrap, from Austin, Texas, whose jam-tastic music deftly blends blues with soul, R&B, and funk; the legendary Booker T Jones, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band, Booker T. & The M.G.’s (known for hits like “Green Onions,” “Hang ‘Em High,” and “Time Is Tight,” among many others); and Mr. Sipp, known as the “Mississippi Blues Child” who’s a 2014 International Blues Challenge winner, and recently cast in the James Brown bio-pic, Get On Up. Two Ventura acts – The Bomb (dance-funk-party faves) and Michael John & the Bottom Line – fronted by Ventura County Blues Society president, Michael John, and his son, guitarist Mikey Mo – round out Sunday’s stellar lineup.
Tickets priced as follows: 3-Day VIP Pass, $149.; 2-Day General Admission Pass, $69.; Friday’s Food & Pairing Competition, $60.; Saturday VIP Early-Bird Experience Craft Beer Heaven, $80.; Saturday’s Craft Beer Heaven, General Admission, $55.; Designated Driver tickets (Saturday only), $25.; Sunday’s Blues & Brews Festival (only), $30. Info: (805) 628-9588. Buy tickets here.
In keeping with the yearly tradition, a portion of the proceeds from each day benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to student athletes to assist in their pursuit of both scholastic and athletic success in Ventura County.
Friday, September 18: Brew with a View Invitational
Start your California Beer Festival weekend off at Brew with a View Invitational! Takes place Friday, September 18 at 5:30 pm, at City Hall overlooking Downtown Ventura. Five Brewmasters will be paired up separately with five Gourmet Chefs, all competing for your pallet and vote (for Best Food and Beer Paring). Live music by the Ross Harper Band, and dance crowd favorites, Ventura’s own, The Bomb. This VIP event includes food samples, beer, live music and (1) CBF souvenir pint glass. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
Saturday, September 19: Craft Beer Heaven
Saturday’s Craft Beer Heaven (12:30-5:00 p.m.; VIP Session begins at 11:30 a.m.; Beer Sampling 1:00-4:00 p.m.) ends Ventura County Beer Week and is one of the largest yearly beer festivals in the state. With over 140 craft beers on tap, it’s a great place to come sample amazing craft beer from all over the world. Come experience Craft Beer Heaven with beers on tap, food trucks and live music throughout the day. Live music by The Midnight Band; Orgone, L.A.-based septet whose genre-bending music blends elements of Funk, Soul, Afro/Disco, Boogie, and Afrobeat; and The Bomb. This is a chance to expand your mind and educate yourself on new and old styles of craft beer. Space is very limited; must be 21 years or older to attend. On Saturday at Craft Beer Heaven, sample such fine beers and food from Eureka! Restaurant Group; Telegraph Brewing Company; Mendocino Brewing Company; Colorado Brewing company; Lagunitas Brewing Company; Surf Brewery; Angel City Brewery; Einstok Beer Co.; Woodchuck Cider; Firestone Walker Brewing Co.; Enegren Brewing Co.; Chaucer Cellars; Cerveza Mexicali Beer; Pizza Port Brewing Co.; Allagash Brewing Co.; St. Killian Importing; The Lab Brewing Company; Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company; Mike’s Hard Lemonade; Palm Breeze; Ace Cider; Barrel House 101; Wolf Creek; Westlake Brewing; Stone Brewing Co.
California Beer Festival Media Credentials Available On Request
