Hops to Table Oct/Nov 2013 | Page 5

note from the mayor Sacramento’s agricultural heritage is what makes our region America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. For the first time in more than one hundred years, hops are growing in the Sacramento region. Hops farmers from the Delta to Dixon are working cooperatively to build a hops drying kiln to ensure that our local brewers can make high-quality local products from high-quality local ingredients. From the Gold Rush to Prohibition, Sacramento was the brewing capital of California, with large breweries like Buffalo Brewing serving markets in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Today, our region’s breweries are smaller but no less important to Sacramento’s economy and community. There are currently 37 craft breweries in the greater Sacramento region. At least a half dozen more are due to open soon. Craft breweries are not only creating jobs and economic opportunities in our region; they are creating community. Take, for example, food trucks. Many of our local micro-breweries are partnering with food trucks to feed their clientele, and in some cases, food truck operators have established brick-and-mortar kitchens inside new breweries. A Central Coast winemaker’s perspective on the Greater Sacramento beer scene. By Jim Lewis eat. drink. relax! I t had been years since I had seen John Zervas, one Host a Holiday Beer Party With 28 craft beers on tap, Ten22 has Sacramento’s largest craft tap handle selection! Why not reserve our private dining room for your next holiday beer party? of my best friends from college. Back in those days at USC we both scraped by living in humble apartments, eating noodles, and pulling dollar bills together for the occasional bottle of wine or nice meal. While I look back on those days fondly and wouldn’t do Pictured above: Jim Lewis enjoying a burger at Dad’s Kitchen anything over, I was excited to catch up and hear about how my friend was doing now. When we first reconnected by phone, I was delighted to hear that John was doing well and was astonished to hear that he was publishing a magazine- a magazine about beer! my vineyards and the aromas of currant, blackberry, tobacco and cocoa usually found in the best wines? Who cared! We promptly ordered a burger to share and again I was struck by the 28 offerings of beer being served, all very different. As a city, as a region and as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, Sacramento is dedicated to the development, growth and success of craft brewing in Sacramento. John went on and on about the bustling Sacramento beer scene. He I invite you to taste Sacramento. becoming the social buzz of the Sacramento region. I then was quick to tell couldn’t speak enough about the breweries, pubs, and events that were After enjoying a pils and the best darned hamburger of my life, I continued to glimpse around the room at the patrons. Again, all were having a great time, interacting with one another. The crowd was diverse in age, eth- John that I was drinking very little beer these days and had in fact become Farm to Fork or Hops to table. It’s all In Good taste. 916.441.2211 Ten22oldsac.com valet & validated parking house. I overheard talks about family, neighborhood issues, the economy ery I prefer to drink off the vines and enjoy a lazy picnic with my family 1022 Second Street, Sacramento to share. I was gaining a new appreciation for the term “pub” or public though I live in Paso Robles, a stone’s throw from Firestone Walker’s Brew- free live Music Every Friday and Saturday experience free live music from Sacramento’s most popular local musicians from 7-10 pm. nicity and income. It was truly a common ground where all were coming a winemaker doing over 125 cases of Syrah, Merlot, and Zinfandel. Even Mayor Kevin Johnson Sacramento 50% off all draft Beers! Explore the taps of Ten22 from 3-7 pm on Tuesday, November 5. All draft beer will be 50% off so come taste a new style, try a new brewery or find a new favorite! We’re now doing this quarterly so you can taste the new seasonal beers too! and politics. Indeed it was a common ground to share ideas. and friends playing bocce ball or just enjoying the scenery. So, while I was excited to spend time with my friend, I was a little anxious when he said we’d be touring the Sacramento beer scene during our Friday together. Where would we go? How different could beer really be? Who would we be hanging out with? Little did I know the treat I was in for. Like us on Facebook and we’ll like you back with special offers! We next went to Track 7 Brewing Co., a brewery located in an industrial area ripe for new investment. As we pulled up, I was shocked to see families sitting together, playing games and hanging out in chairs brought by the customers themselves. It was a pleasure to be amongst such humility, laughter and of course great beer. In addition to the families hanging out were listed on several chalk boards, and I must say it was an impressive array of styles. John and I enjoyed pumpkin ale,a stout aged in scotch barrels, unique beers from Oklahoma and other locales and, finally I was was so impressed at the sense of belonging and community emanating O T scene, a brick-lined back room trimmed with beer taps. The days offerings oven making gourmet pizzas for all who were interested. Wow! Again, I PI impressed by the hospitality exhibited by the owner, Kenny. I enjoyed the outside the roll up doors of the brewery, a chef was on scene with a pizza CA We began our day going to Capitol Beer and Taproom. I was immediately from the patrons. This was truly a gathering place where the locals were getting together to lament about the week sharing the ups and downs, both giving and getting encouragement. The scene was quite different from a winery and pleasantly so! OM This is Sacramento’s Year of Food. That includes the contributions of local brewers and farmers who are reaching into Sacramento’s history to shape its future. CONFESSIONS OF A WINEMAKER O While our talented local chefs showcase our local farmers’ bounty of produce, grains, meat