This time last year my wife and I were just settling into our new home in Sacramento. Being here only a few months, we had experienced quite a few of the craft breweries around the area, but hadn’t fully experienced all that the Golden State had to offer to the craft beer lover. Then we went to the Craft Beer Summit and we got the glimpse of the variety and quality of the craft beer in California.

The 2018 California Craft Beer Summit is back in Sacramento this week, and more than a beer festival, the event provides an opportunity for all aspects of the craft beer industry to come together. “The California Craft Beer Summit is the premier event for the California and West Coast beer and brewing communities. The Summit brings together all industries related to craft beer, including hospitality, distribution and home brewing, for three days of community building, education and professional development,” explains California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) Managing Director Leia Ostermann Bailey. “The culminating event is the largest festival featuring only California craft beer. All proceeds from the event support the CCBA’s efforts to continue to advance the business of craft beer in the state of California.”

Starting with an an industry welcome gathering at Urban Roots Brewing, the week of events features two days of educational sessions including: Perspectives on a Changing Retail Environment with Joe Whitney of Sierra Nevada Brewing, a Sour Barrel Managers Q & A with Tim Clifford of Sante Adairius, Jeremy Grinkey of Bruery Terruex and Travis Smith of Society Brewing Co. and Taproom Success with Lori Miller of Berryessa Brewing Co. “Whether you are a homebrewer, work at a restaurant or taproom, own a brewery, work with brewers in another industry like law or accounting, grow or sell beer ingredients or invest in the industry, there is something at the Summit for you,” says Ostermann Bailey. “We have a few different educational tracks spanning from sensory workshops to technical brewing and everything in between. Plus, our expo floor isn’t your typical ‘convention.’ Hops hang from the sky, regional tasting booths highlight the beers coming from different areas across the state, TapTalk stages host the likes of Greg Koch [Stone Brewery] and John Martin [Drake Brewing Co.], and our new ‘Brewed for Food’ concept highlights the sensory and flavorful pairings found within beer and food.”

The weekend culminates with a beer festival on the Capital Mall, featuring more than 160 breweries and over 500 beers. “It’s a chance to ‘tour’ the state of California’s craft beer scene while just traveling four blocks,” according to Ostermann Bailey. She notes that the festival is the largest on the West Coast and features California Craft Beer exclusively.

Ostermann Baily also points out that having the best California Craft Breweries “highlights the different styles and trends coming out of the different regions of the state. It’s truly an elevating tasting experience for any beer lover.”

A complete pour list, including special releases, can be found at the California Craft Beer Summit website

Tickets for the festival are still available and can be purchased here.

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