June 13 was a perfect Saturday in Alameda. With temperatures in the 70s and plenty of visitors enjoying the city’s downtown, it was an ideal day to kick back and enjoy tasting some good beer. And that’s exactly what people did during the Rock & Roll Beer Stroll [1].
[2]Strollers wearing large plastic passes that identified them as participants walked to various downtown businesses sampling small glasses of craft beers. They were served by volunteers or workers associated with the breweries participating in the event.
A variety of exhibitors offered samples of their brews this year, including Temescal Brewing [3], Alameda Brewing [4], Almanac Beer [5], Faction Brewing [6], Drake’s Brewing [7], Fathers Brewing [8], Brewbilt Brewing [9], DTSJ Brewing [10], Barebottle Brewing [11], East Brother Beer [12], Humble Sea Brewing [13], Calicraft Brewing [14], and Dahoam 1516 [15]. The offerings included various pilsner beers, India Pale Ale (IPA) lagers, and many other brewed libations.
To keep the event safe, a group of 13 designated drivers enjoyed non alcoholic drinks and food set aside at every stop.
The event was sponsored by the Downtown Alameda Business Association [16], which serves as a support network and advocate for businesses operating in the Historic Park Street Business Improvement Area. The Rock & Roll Beer Stroll is one of several fundraisers held by the association throughout the year. Other strolls include a Whiskey Stroll in the spring, a Tequila and Mezcal Stroll in the fall, and a Hot Cocoa Stroll in December.
[17]One dollar out of each $75 admission fee to the Beer Stroll was donated to All Good Living [18], a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, and other necessities to low-income residents. A nonprofit group shares in the proceeds of each stroll, said Downtown Alameda Business Association Executive Director Kathy Weber.
“They are a tremendous organization,” she said. “We are so lucky to have such a dedicated group of people in the community.”
Along with the breweries, Admiral Maltings [19], a major contributor to the local beer scene was on hand. The company, located at Alameda Point, sources quality grain and produces exceptional, handcrafted malt that is vital in the brewing of quality beers. They also operate The Rake [20], a pub where the public can enjoy food and beers made from Admiral Maltings stock as well as other malts.
The company’s grains are grown in the Sacramento Valley and near Tule Lake. Most of the breweries represented in the Beer Stroll use Admiral Maltings products, but the company has shipped malt as far away as Vermont and Japan. It made sense for the firm to be present during the stroll, said General Manager Gregg Buczkowski.
“A key component of this beer is made in Alameda, so it makes sense for us to support it, establish who we are and that Alameda is part of the California beer scene.”
[21]The state has good water and hops which makes it possible to brew a beer with ingredients that come from within a 100-mile radius, according to Buczkowski. “That’s really rare worldwide,” he said.
The general public may be cutting down on alcohol consumption and the overall market for beer and wine may be changing, but the beer industry has been making headway, Buczkowski noted.
There are a lot of factors involved, he said.
“Part of it is that the younger generation is not drinking in the same way. But beer has never been better in this country. People are making great things with great stuff everywhere.”
David Boitano is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post [22]. Contact him via [email protected] [23]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/David-Boitano [24].