Anyone who knows good San Diego beer knows Stone Brewing Co. Although their official 15th anniversary was back in July (check out this video of CEO & Co-Founder Greg Koch and President & Brewmaster Steve Wagner calling Pizza Port’s owner Vince Marsaglia to thank him for buying the first keg of Stone Pale Ale), the celebration kicks into high gear this week, starting with the release of Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA today. This beer is “one of the darkest, hoppiest and most colossal beers we’ve ever brewed,” according to Brewmaster Mitch Steele.
Stone Communications Specialist Jacob McKean made a great post about the birthday brew this morning over at The Stone Blog, and tonight at 7P you can try this beer and seven others at Stone Brewing Co.’s “Beer U” class. On the syllabus: learn all about the history of one of San Diego’s original brewing companies sip by sip from Stone Minister of Evangelism and Indoctrination, Ken Wright.
This Friday and Saturday the Stone 15th Anniversary Celebration & Invitational Beer Festival will take place up in San Marcos. Friday night begins with the Brewers Reception from 6-9P, but you don’t have to be a brewer to attend – $75 gets you a Brewers Reception commemorative glass and unlimited tasters of dozens of beers, the opportunity to meet some of the world-class brewers whose beers will be poured on Saturday, c0mplimentary gourmet food from Stone World Bistro & Gardens and several other vendors, and live music in an uncrowded atmosphere. Tickets here.
On Saturday there are two sessions for the Festival, which will feature over 40 craft breweries from around the world. Session A goes from 11A-2P and Session B goes from 3-6P. For $40 you get a Commemorative 15th Anniversary tasting glass, 10 tasters (no additional sold), samples of Mike’s Beer Cheese and Arrogant Bastard Ale onion rings, homebrewed sodas from the Society of Barley Engineers, a special cask section with half a dozen Stone brews available, and much more. Since the first Stone Anniversary Celebration, over $1,000,000 has been raised for charity – this weekend, drink for a great cause. For tickets and more information, click here.
Every Monday we post a San Diego Brewery Spotlight. Last week’s Spotlight, #1 in our series, was Lightning Brewery in Poway.