American Craft Beer Week May 11 - 17

The Mother of all Beer weeks is here! American Craft Beer Week is being toasted to all over the Country this week to celebrate ... You guessed it, crat brewers and craft beer culture in the U.S.. The popularity of craft brews has sky rocketed in the last few years and there are now more than 3,400 small, independent craft brewers in the United States.

So what constitutes a 'craft brewer'?  The Brewer's Association defines craft brewers by three criteria:

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1. Small Annual production of six million barrels or less.

2. Independent Less than 25% of the brewery is owned by a alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.

3. Traditional The majority of the brewery's total beverage alcohol volume is beers whose flavors derive from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation. 

So what's your favorite craft beer? 

 

Check out the American Craft Beer Week website to find local events and learn more! 

Draft Beer without All the Fuss

Planning an event this summer where you're going to need the suds flowin?

Jockey box coolers are just the ticket! Perfect for outside events, these party coolers will have draft beer at your fingertips in no time.  Using CO2 for dispensing and a combination of ice and water for cooling, keep the beer flowing at your next event with one of our rental jockey boxes! 

 

Call us at 949-945-9227 to reserve one for your next event!

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Upcoming Beer and Wine Festivals

 

May 2015

 

May 9, 2015 Annual Uncorked! Wine Festival

San Francisco

Uncorked! is a public event to taste, learn and experience wine from throughout Northern Cali. Tasting tickets are $55 for general admission. Activities include demonstrations by renown Bay Area chefs, seminars and musical entertainment. 

 

May 14-17, 2015  Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival 2015

Paso Robles

Paso Robles Wine Festival is the marquee tasting event held along California's Central Coast. Always the third weekend in May. The delicious wine of Paso Robles is complemented by local epicurean delights, featured throughout the weekend.  Winemaker dinners, live music and open house festivities at area wineries throughout Paso Robles Wine Country.

 

May 15-17, 2015  18th annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival

Philo

This unique festival invites wineries from around the country to pour their Pinot Noir produced with 100% Anderson Valley fruit. The Event has programs over the course of four days and includes a full day Technical Conference, BBQ in the vineyard, Grand Tasting and multiple Open Houses throughout the valley. Open House events will be held at participating local wineries and will include tastings, seminars, food and wine pairings, and more (a list of winery open houses can be found on the website above).  Open House events are FREE. Tickets to all of the events listed above are now on sale.

 

May 16, 2015  West Coast Invitational 

Sacramento

The West Coast Invitational, a Craft Brewing Experience, is the natural evolution of the traditional beer festival. Organized by the group that created the world famous West Coast Brew Fest and the Northern California Blues Festival, the West Coast Invitational brings together the best brewers of the West Coast including California, Oregon, and Washington, together in one amazing location along the Sacramento River just outside of Downtown Sacramento. Featuring TOKENLESS tasting of over 120 craft brews from more than 50 Breweries, live music from local bands and incredible food, the WCI promises to be a day you will never forget. Proceeds benefit the Robla Education Foundation. Designated Driver discounts available.

 

May 17, 2015  California Jazz & Wine Fest 

Thousand Oaks

Live jazz on two stages and unlimited sampling of wine, craft brews and boutique spirits are part of the 4th Annual California Jazz & Wine Fest. Food trucks will be on hand to sell food and artisans will display their wares. Headlining the live entertainment is Grammy-award winner Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. Presented by Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, proceeds support school music programs and other nonprofits. Tickets: $50/$100. For 10 percent ticket discount, type in promo code 15CJWFPR when ordering online.

 

May 23, 2015  1st Annual Fremont Burger & Brew Fest

Freemont

The Fremont Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the 1st Annual Fremont Burger & Brew Fest from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM!  The event will feature beer sampling from Bay Area craft breweries, wine, burgers and sliders from local food vendors and restaurants, live entertainment, a kid zone, bistro style seating areas and a cooking demonstration.  Attendance is free. If attendees would like to participate in beer sampling, they will pay a small fee. Tickets will be available on our website for a pre-sale early bird discount rate and onsite the day of the event. Ticket sales on the day of the event will be "Cash Only."  Don’t miss this great opportunity to participate in one of the Bay Area’s newest and delicious events!

 

May 29-31, 2015  Horse Town Brew n' Que Festival 

Norco

Food, Competition Barbecue, Live Entertainment and Craft Beer. Over 60 barbecue teams, micro and craft brewers from California, Nevada and Arizona compete for $10,000 in cash, prizes and bragging rights. Both beer and barbeque will be available to sample and attendees may cast a vote for their favorite craft beer or barbecue. Food lectures, brewing demonstrations and other activities will also be featured.

 

May 30, 2015  Davis Beer and Cider Festival 

Davis

The Davis Beer and Cider Festival (formerly the Davis BeerFest), now in its 11th year, features food, live music, brewery tours, a commemorative tasting cup, and the opportunity to sample some of the 100 handcrafted beers and ciders available for tasting.  Proceeds benefit Citizens Who Care for the Elderly, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life of the frail elderly and their families through social support programs and respite services.

See you there!  

-Compiled from www.foodreference.com

 

 

Happy National Beer Day!

 

Happy National Beer Day!

82 years ago today marked a big step toward the end of prohibition. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Cullen–Harrison Act into law effective April 7, 1933 which allowed the manufacture and sale of beer for the first time in 13 years!

After he signed, President Roosevelt reportedly remarked, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” We agree!

Beer and wine with approximately 4% alcohol by volume (just a little less than the average today) was finally legalized. Full repeal of prohibition wouldn't come until December 5, 1933 with the ratification of the 21st amendment, officially ending the era of prohibition. 

Cheers! 

The SCDBS Crew

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Upcoming Wine and Beer Festivals

April 4, 2015  World Cup of Beer Homebrew Competition Finals

Oakland, California
Presented by the Bay Area Mashers, the competition is open to everyone in all styles and sub-styles of beer, mead, and cider.

April 10-11, 2015  3rd Annual VinDiego Wine and Food Festival

San Diego, California
Over 75 of California's award-winning wineries presenting 300+ selections of wine. Enjoy classes with vintners, silent wine auction featuring collectible fine wines, big bottle private tasting parties, vacation packages, VIP winery tours, and other wine related items perfect for the wine and food enthusiast. Proceeds from the silent auction benefits Freedom Station.

April 11-12 & 18-19, 2015  24th Annual Passport Wine Event

El Dorado, California
'Best Wine Tasting Event of the Year'  Weekend pass for only $60.00, check out the website for all the details!

April 17-18, 2015  California Wine Festival Orange County 2015

Dana Point, California
Experience the quintessential California wine tasting and enjoy hundreds of California's finest vintage wines, delicious gourmet foods samples and lively music.  Enjoy an afternoon of unlimited fun, food and music - at the biggest wine festival under the sun!

April 18, 2015  Sacramento Beer & Chili Festival

Sacramento, California
Feautures a chili cook off competition (industry and individual) and unlimited beer tastings provide by local breweries. Bike parking will be available along the fence and dogs are welcome.

We're famous!

Have you seen the new Smith and Forge Hard Cider commercial? It's airing on television now. We installed the tap!


The Perfect Green Beer

Tomorrow's the big day. Shamrocks, leprechauns and of course, no St. Paddy's Day party is complete without green beer! 

Although this tradition is decidedly American, you know we all feel our inner laddie or lassie emerge when sipping on a ice cold, refreshing green ale. The color green has long symbolized all things Ireland. It's lush, green landscape earned the country the nickname 'The Emerald Isle' and every March 17 a wave of green takes over! 

The best way to get that classic 'Irish Green' color to your beer? Add BLUE food coloring to the bottom of the glass before pouring your beer. You'll get the best results and color when using light, yellow beers - Pale Ales and Lagers are best. The yellow and blue blend to Irish perfection. Looking to turn a whole keg green? The process can be pretty tricky - so give us a call and we can help you out!

A safe and happy St. Paddy's Day beer lovers,

SCDBS Crew

What causes foamy beer?

What are the causes for foamy beer?

Many times we get calls about this issue. Sometimes we are able to troubleshoot the foaming problem over the phone and it could be something as minor as a tapped warm keg. Pouring foamy beer can be costly and wasteful. 

Here is a list of common foaming issues: 

  • Beer poured improperly
  • Bad regulator
  • Applied pressure is set too high
  • Hot spots in line
  • Use of non-insulated beer line
  • Glycol machine is under rated for length of beer lines
  • Tapped into a warm keg
  • Walk-In Cooler malfunctioning
  • Kinks, dents, twists or other obstructions in line

Be sure to call us when your next problem arises, we are here to help! 

Cheers Beer Lovers, 

SCDBS Crew 

Wine On Tap

Wine on tap is an up and coming trend. Thinking of adding wine on tap? Ask away! #wine #draft #wineontap

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WHY SERVE DRAFT BEER

FRESHNESS

BOTTLED BEER IS PASTEURIZED FOR STORAGE AND LONGEVITY AND DESPITE THE “BORN ON DATE” TREND, KEGGED BEER IS ALMOST ALWAYS FRESHER BECAUSE IT IS NOT PASTEURIZED* AND IS STORED AT COLD TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE.

BOTTLED BEER IS KEPT IN WAREHOUSES NOT COOLERS AND AS A RESULT IS SUBJECT TO WIDE TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS. THIS ALONE CAN HARM THE BEERS FLAVOR, NOT TO MENTION THE ALTERED TASTE CAUSED BY THE PASTEURIZATION PROCESS.

 DRAFT BEER IS NOT HEAT TREATED DRAFT BEER SUFFERS LESS OXIDATION

BEER HATES OXYGEN! THIS IS BECAUSE OXYGEN REACTS WITH BEER INGREDIENTS SUCH AS CARBOHYDRATES, HOPS AND ALCOHOL TO CORRUPT ITS FRESH TASTE. TO COUNTER THIS OXIDIZATION, BEER NEEDS TO BE STORED WITH AS LITTLE AIR IN THE CONTAINER AS POSSIBLE. PROPORTIONALLY SPEAKING, AS A FULL BEER BOTTLE TENDS TO HAVE MORE AIR LEFT AT THE TOP OF IT THAN A FULL KEG OF BEER, MORE OXIDIZATION TAKES PLACE WHICH MEANS A BITTERER TASTE. ALSO, THE EFFECTS OF OXIDIZATION GET WORSE THE LONGER THE BEER REMAINS UNSOLD. AS BEER BOTTLES CAN HANG AROUND FOR MONTHS BEFORE BEING SOLD, THE TASTE WORSENS WITH AGE. HOWEVER, BEER BARRELS TEND TO BE BOUGHT ACCORDING TO DEMAND, SO ARE DRUNK MUCH NEARER TO THE DATE THAT THEY LEFT THE BREWERY.

 DRAFT BEER IS NOT AFFECTED BY LIGHT!

 WHEN LIGHT REACTS WITH THE HOPS IN BEER, IT CAUSES THE TASTE TO BITTER. THAT IS WHY, IN GENERAL, BOTTLED BEER COMES IN A BROWN GLASS AND SHOULD BE STORED IN DARKENED AREAS. THE EXCEPTIONS ARE CERTAIN BEERS WHICH ACTUALLY USE THIS LIGHT REACTION TO ENCOURAGE A BITTER TASTE, SUCH AS CORONA (CLEAR BOTTLE) AND HEINEKEN (GREEN BOTTLE). HOWEVER, KEG BEER IS ALWAYS KEPT IN THE DARK SO THIS LIGHT-INDUCED BITTERNESS CANNOT TAKE PLACE.
 

TASTE

BECAUSE KEG BEER IS NOT PASTEURIZED AND IS FRESHER THAN BOTTLED BEER IT TASTES BETTER AND IS CLOSER TO THE TASTE THE BREWER INTENDED WHEN THE BEER WAS BREWED. PROVIDED THE DRAFT SERVICE EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINED AND CLEANED PROPERLY, DRAFT BEER WILL BE BETTER TASTING THAN THE SAME BOTTLED OR CANNED BEER.

ECONOMY

DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, KEG BEER IS MORE ECONOMICAL AT A PER OUNCE PRICE ABOUT 15% LESS THAN BOTTLED OR CANNED AT RETAIL PRICING.

 ENVIRONMENT

A KEG IS THE ULTIMATE “GREEN” PACKAGING FOR BEER. KEGS ARE FULLY REUSED BY BREWERS JUST AS THEY ARE – NO ENERGY CONSUMED IN MELTING DOWN AND REFORMING AS IN RECYCLED BOTTLES AND CANS.

  PROFIT

FOR A BEER RETAILER KEG BEER REPRESENTS A FAR HIGHER PROFIT THAN BOTTLED OR CANNED WITH COST OFTEN 50% OR MORE BELOW BOTTLED OR CANNED.

 

THE ONLY TIME THAT BEER DRINKERS ARE LIKELY TO PREFER BOTTLED BEER IS IF THEY’VE TASTED A DRAFT THAT’S BEEN PUMPED THROUGH DIRTY LINES. DIRTY LINES AND A SYSTEM THAT HAS NOT HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE CAN AFFECT THE TASTE OF DRAFT BEER. IT IS VITAL TO MAINTAIN AND CLEAN YOUR SYSTEM REGULARLY! THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT DRAFT BEER IS FRESHER, TASTES BETTER, IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE PROFIT MARGIN ON DRAFT BEER IS MUCH GREATER!

CHEERS!

EXCERPT OF THIS ARTICLE WERE TAKE FROM THE  HOME BAR OWNER NEWSLETTER, DRAFT BEER MADE EASY, AND LONESTAR BEVERAGE SYSTEMS.

THE DRAFT BEER PROFIT MODEL BY MICRO MATIC USA

The Profit in One Keg

Each 15.5-gallon keg (½ Barrel) contains 1984 ounces of beer.

Realistically, you could expect to get at least 130-140 16 oz pints (if a 16oz pint is served with a ¾ inch head it has approx 14oz in the glass) from that keg.

If a pint of beer was sold for $3.00, this would generate a gross profit of $390-$420.

The net profit from a keg based on the aforementioned figures (after subtracting the wholesale cost of the keg) would be approximately $310-$340.

The Profit from 5 Kegs/Week 

In a retail establishment if only five kegs a week are sold, a profit of over $80,000 a year in possible.

5 kegs/week X 52 = 260 kegs/year

260 kegs X $320 = $ 83,200 net profit

Cheers Friends!

SCDBS Crew

LONG DRAW SYSTEMS, AKA GLYCOL COOLED

Many of you are familiar with Direct Draw Systems aka Kegerators where kegs are stored in a cooler and the beer tap is directly above the kegs. Long Draw Systems, aka Glycol Cooled Systems, are installed where the kegs are stored in a walk-in cooler some distance away from the tower. In order for your beer to pour the way you want it, you will need a Glycol Machine which pumps food grade antifreeze lines that surround the beer lines. This keeps your beer cold from the cooler to the tower. Long Draw Systems allow for more beer taps as well, depending on the size of your cooler.

There are many options in installing a draft beer system. To find out which system fits your establishment best, call us for  a complimentary evaluation.

Cheers friends!

-SCDBS Crew

Photo provided by MicroMatic

Photo provided by MicroMatic


THE GUINNESS BLEND: 25/75 GAS

The Guinness Blend: 25/75 Gas 

Applying this mixture of gases to regularly carbonated beers will make them go flat. This gas mixture of 25% CO2 and 75% Nitrogen gas is best with stout beers like Guinness. Check out this article about how to properly use this gas mixture for your draft beer system.

POURING TOO MUCH FOAM?

Is your draft beer system pouring too much foam?
Your business is losing hundreds of dollars a month on easy fixes like foamy beer. It’s not just adjusting the regulators(never adjust this if you don’t know what you’re doing!). There are other factors causing your draft beer to come out foamy. It could be that one of your employees tapped a warm keg. Read this article and find out more information. 

The biggest problem can have the simplest solution. (Link to article) http://www.micromatic.com/keg-beer-blog/index.php/115/lowering-keg-pressure-is-not-the-answer/ 

Cheers friends!
SCDBS Crew

COMPLAINTS ABOUT BEER SERVICE – HELPFUL HINTS FOR MANAGERS, BARTENDERS, AND EVERYONE ELSE

Click here to read the full article 

Ever enter a bar or restaurant after a long days work and you’re craving a beer but are disappointed in the quality, taste, and service you received. This is a story we’ve all heard. Beer service is just as important as anything else served in the restaurant. Beer tasting has risen in popularity as much as wine tasting; popularity for craft beers and food pairings have risen as well. This is great article for managers, bartenders, and everyone in the food service and hospitality industry. Customers know good beer and when good beer isn’t served we notice.

Things to remember when serving beer: 

1. Is it too cold? Beer should be poured at 38 degrees F.

2. Are you pouring it into the proper glass? Is the glass clean?

3. When was the last time your beer lines were cleaned? This needs to be accomplished every 2 weeks and your beer rep will help.

4. Did you tap a warm keg? BIG MISTAKE. When you tap a warm keg, you’ll waste 25% or more of the keg with foam.

5. Is your staff knowledgable about these beers?

If you have any questions about your beer service and how to maximize your beer profits, call US!
Cheers Friends,

SCDBS Crew

BEER DRINKERS BILL OF RIGHTS

Your BEER Bill of Rights (LINK to Article)

Fellow Beer Drinkers,

You have the right to GREAT BEER! Many of you have come across a pint that didn’t taste the way you anticipated. From the cleanliness of the glass and old beer to uncarbonated beer, it’s unlawful for a restaurant to serve a product like this to their paying customers. It comes full circle when you properly serve draft beer and even bottled beer. Once you serve dissatisfying beer you may expect those customers to return. From yesterday’s blog , beer line cleaning is an intrical part of serving quality beer. So Cal Draft Beer Service is here to help! We’ll send a crew member for a complimentary evaluation of your system!

Cheers Friends,

SCDBS CREW

ROI FOR BEER LINE CLEANING

What Beer Line Cleaning can do for your business? (Link)

Beer line cleaning is an intrical part of delivering quality draft beer to your customers. The taste can be affected if you are not cleaning the lines regularly. The Beer Advocate Association recommends businesses clean their beer lines every 2 weeks; does not matter if you have a direct draw or long draw system.
How is this an ROI? Although some bar owners would say beer line cleaning is expensive and inconvenient, you’ll find this to be untrue. Check out the article and find out why Beer Line Cleaning is important for your business!

Cheers,

SCDBS CREW!