Cali UNCORKED Festival Delivers Delicious Fun

On Saturday, the Cali UNCORKED Festival delivered on all counts for about 7500 lovers of food, beer, wine, music, and fun. This inaugural event, held at Southern California’s Oak Canyon Park, also contributed part of the proceeds to the 3631 Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The weather was perfect and the festival grounds were beautiful

Local, off-duty firefighters volunteered to serve at Cali UNCORKED to benefit the 3631 Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Local eateries served a broad range of tasty menu items to satisfy carnivores, vegetarians, and even vegans. Slater’s 50/50, Slidebar, The Viking Truck, Falasophy and more served excellent eats throughout the day. Multiple star Southern California chefs collaborated to offer unique menu items only available at the Cali UNCORKED Festival.

Slater’s 50/50 ensured the carnivores ate happily

Falasophy offered some delicious vegetarian dishes

Delicious libations flowed, with unlimited tastings of craft beer and wine served from 1 to 4 pm. With more than 100 craft beers and wines offered, a broad range of beer and wine styles were available to please even the most discriminating palate.

An impressive set of breweries appeared at Cali UNCORKED

Barley Forge Brewing Co. deployed with some outstanding brews

Barley Forge Brewing Co. served some outstanding beers, including The Black Dahlia Belgian Strong Dark Ale aged in Cognac barrels.

Pizza Port Brewing had the San Clemente crew present

My hometown favorites of Pizza Port Brewing San Clemente, Artifex Brewing Company and Left Coast Brewing were present and serving delicious brews.

Four Sons Brewing had me going (coco) nuts

Four Sons Brewing from Huntington Beach caught my attention with a tasty American amber ale with coconut, called Going (Coco) Nuts.

Belching Beaver had a very loyal following

I’m fairly certain that Belching Beaver Brewery set the day’s record for longest line with patrons clamoring for their Peanut Butter Milk Stout.

My favorite brew of the day had to be Fifty/Fifty Brewing’s Eclipse Stout aged in High West Rye Barrels.

California wineries included Force of Nature, Kunin, Dark Horse, Eberle, and Rex Goliath. I sampled a wonderful Merlot from Dark Horse.

Now that’s a big bottle of wine

Julian Hard Cider had an Apple Pie Cider that tasted like it had just come out of the oven.

I drank an Apple Pie at the Julian Hard Cider tent and I liked it

The festival also offered multiple cheese and beer, wine and cigar pairing seminars.

Cali UNCORKED featured a full day of music and comedy performances. At one end of the festival park, the music and comedy acts alternated performances.

I caught stand-up comic Joe Sib‘s act. He was at his best when he transitioned from his normal stand-up routine and began an impromptu, ad lib performance while mingling with the audience.

The headline musical act was Rebelution. The number of festival attendees wearing Rebelution T-shirts indicated a very strong fan base following.

Photograph courtesy of Rebelution and Cali UNCORKED

Overall the festival was extremely well-organized and security was visible, thorough, and efficient. Cali UNCORKED proved an excellent venue to enjoy the outdoors with friends and enjoy food, beer, wine, music, and fun. I’m looking forward to the 2nd Annual Cali UNCORKED Festival.