Bigger isn’t always better.  My hat is off to Slater’s 50/50 for their Lake Forest Backyard Brewfest (held on 5 April 2014) and creating an intimate event that provided the perfect format to actually meet brewers, taste some outstanding beers and ciders, eat delicious food, meet new people, have lots of outdoor fun, and contribute to a good cause.  To be perfectly honest, this was the most enjoyable one day beer event that I have attended in many years.

First, let’s talk about the good cause. The Slater’s 50/50 Backyard Brewfest, in partnership with the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, provided proceeds to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Forest, 4 H Superstars, Soroptimist and South County Outreach.  While at the BrewFest, I visited the South County Outreach booth. One of their representatives informed me that South County Outreach is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing homeless prevention services (such as transitional housing, food pantry, rental and utility assistance, and counseling) to low-income individuals, families and seniors in crisis in South Orange County.  Their vision is for South Orange County to become a community where no one need experience hunger or homelessness. Please visit the South County Outreach website or Facebook page and assist in any way you feel appropriate.

Slater’s 50/50 Backyard Brewfest featured more than 40 brews from several of Southern California’s best and newest breweries as well as some special out of town guests. There was complimentary food, including 50/50 burgers, buffalo chicken mac & cheese,  and bacon blondies. I believe that most attendees received a free commemorative tasting glass (although I somehow missed getting mine).

I didn’t conduct an exact survey but my impression was that a significant percentage of the booths I visited were actually staffed by the head brewer or brewery owner.  In addition, the event provided the intimacy and time to actually be able to spend time talking to learn more about their breweries and beers or ciders.

My first booth visit was with Rough Draft Brewing.  Located in San Diego, Rough Draft is owned by Jeff Silver and the Master Brewer is Alex Rabe.  Their Hop Therapy Double IPA was excellent and their Emboozlement Bourbon Barrel-Aged Triple was superb.

Turns out that the Rough Draft Brewing booth was just a sign for great brew tasting throughout the day.  Booth after booth, I was impressed with the diversity and quality of beers being served.  Slater’s BeerMonger, Mark Schultz,  did a great job lining up Backyard BrewFest participants.

For example, Bottle Logic Brewing (located in Anaheim) served several excellent beers including a Cask Conditioned Leche Mole’ Milk Stout.  Leche Mole’ is a Mocha Mexican Milk Stout brewed with vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, coffee, and Anaheim/Ancho chiles.  This unusual combination created flavors that were expertly combined and balanced to provide an outstanding and unique beer.

From Mexico, Ensenada Brewing served their Smoked Piloncillo Porter.  This robust award-winning porter uses roasted malts to deliver its characteristic smokiness.  A touch of piloncillo, a cultivated and unrefined sugar used in Mexico for more than 500 years, rounds out this beer with a subtle yet pleasant hint of sweetness.  The result is a delicious mix of smoke, malt, and slightly sweet flavors.

Renowned breweries such as Ballast Point and Hangar 24 were present as well as a host of other excellent breweries.  Ballast Point served a variation of their famous Sculpin IPA – Grapefruit Sculpin IPA – that was just awesome.  In addition, Reverend Nat’s Hard Ciders demonstrated their ability to make complex and outstanding ciders in a wide range of styles, including Hallelujah Hopricot.

For those interested in art and apparel, an outfit named CraftBeerd had a booth with creative and fun art and shirts for sale.

At the end of the day, I felt as if I had actually been treated to a friend’s backyard party with an amazing set of breweries and other participants.  Thanks Slater’s 50/50 for getting this Backyard Brewfest so right!