What’s Brewing

“Liquid Poets”
Six breweries in our region — in Truckee, Auburn, Davis and Sacramento — took home medals from the recent Great American Beer Festival, the nation’s most competitive brewing showcase.

FiftyFifty Brewing of Truckee won a gold medal for a German-style wheat ale called Bananenhängematte, as well as bronzes in the barrel-aged stout and specialty beer categories. The FiftyFifty BrewCrew was also honored as brewery group of the year. FiftyFifty Brewing has opened an expanded, 30-barrel brewing operation in Truckee.

Auburn-based Moonraker Brewing Co. won silver for its Northern Lights Imperial IPA, and Crooked Lane Brewing Co., also of Auburn, won a bronze medal for Veedels Bräu, a Kölsch.

Sudwerk Brewing Co. won a silver medal in the amber lager category for its Märzen, and Three Mile Brewing won a silver for its Little Downtown Tom session IPA. Both breweries are based in Davis.

Alaro Craft Brewery won a gold medal for its English-style IPA called Castillo IPA., and New Helvetia Brewing Co.’s Mystery Airship 4.0: Temple Cascara Golden Ale finished second among coffee beers. Both breweries are based in Sacramento.

THIRSTY BARREL TAPHOUSE & GRILLE
The downtown Grass Valley taphouse is becoming popular for its live music scene. Guests can listen to music while enjoying sandwiches, burgers, tacos, salads and appetizers, along with a wide selection of rotating craft beers on tap. The selection includes beer from the neighboring Grass Valley Brewing Co. The music is from 6-9 p.m. on various nights. Visit ThristyBarrel.com/events for a lineup.

ROOST
Grass Valley Brewing Co. also is home to Roost, created by the owner of Jernigan’s Tap House & Grill in Nevada City. Guests can enjoy a craft beer, along with appetizers, salads, and sandwiches: One example: “Fried Chicken Sammy” (braised panko fried chicken thigh, sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese, and mayo).

GRASS VALLEY BREWING & CAROLINES
Grass Valley Brewing plans to release a beer called Nibs and Beans Porter, made with cocoa nibs and beans from Carolines Coffee Roasters, also based in Grass Valley. It is another example of our local businesses working together.

1849 BREWING CO. & BREWBILT
The brewery opening in Brunswick Basin in Grass Valley turned to BrewBilt Manufacturing for its equipment, another sign of local collaboration. BrewBilt is about a mile from 1849 Brewing Co. It will include a taproom, beer garden, pizza oven, and barbecue.