Baja California

Tj Beer Fest 2013

The homebrew festival that took place at CECUT

If this does not consolidate Baja California as the capital of Home brewing, I don't know what does. Just 2 weeks ago the Baja Beer Fest 2013 took place and now with TJ Beer Fest there is no doubt, Baja California asks nothing of San Diego when it comes to home brewing.

This year the Tijuana Brewing company showed off, not only with the choice of venue for the event, but with everything it had prepared for the festival. It makes me glad to see that beyond it's already classic line of home brews they have begun to experiment with their creations. From the creation of a new IPA (which is highly recommendable for when the day is really hot), to a new creation made in association with "Venus" chocolates that has a very particular taste combination. A series of truffles made with their beers that perplexes the taste buds. Definitely something that stood out in the festival.

California's "Stone Brewery" was also present at the event, along with "Green Flash" and Ballast Point, and even though their selection was a bit limited, it was good to see our neighbors from the north venture into the Baja California market. A special mention to the team at "Julian Hard Cider", going to a home brewing festival you don't expect to see home brewed Cider, but once we got to talking to them they talked to us a bit about the history of cider and beer and the relationship between the both.

The Festival didn't really take off until early into the night, haven gotten there early I noticed the low influx of people at the event, something that changed radically as the sun set, in a few hours walking aroudn the place became pretty difficult. The musical selection was great and of all genres, from rock bands to hip hop, guest dj's that are up to the Nortec level, Hiperboreal and the famous "Banda Aguacaliente". The whole event felt pretty relaxed, but I can say without a doubt that most of the people that came to the event left with a smile on their face.

One of the best surprises for me was "Aguacaliente" brewery, who brought to the event a hefenweizen, an oatmeal stout and an IPA I still cannot wrap my head around. The taste of the Hops through which they filtered this bear left more than one home brew connoisseur stunned, in my opinion this was the highlight of the event.

The "BCB Tasting Room" made itself be heard with an ample variety of home brows from around the world at very reasonable prices. With a very interesting booth they managed to transmit the essence of their bar at the Tj Beer Fest, definitely an essential spot to get good home brews here in Tijuana.

The gastronomic variety did not let down either food for all tastes and styles. However "Barrikas Gastropub" killed the attendees hunger with it's already famous burgers and nachos. "Baja Artesanal" and the restaurant "100 años" could not handle the high demand as every time I passed by their booths I saw them tending to customers, a pleasure and delight to dine with them.

The brewery "Funes" from the city of Tijuana brought their entire repertoire and it was Mr. Funes himself that gave me a sample and an ample description of ever brew that they make. The way the weather was that day at the beer fest, the ideal choice was "La Blanca", a witbier that surpasses many of California's best. "Funes" Beer can be found at BCB, Mission 19 and at their own store.

Jalisco was present at the festival as well with "Cerveza Minerva" and "Braustoff Craftbeer". The first being already a classic of home brews at a national level, their staff was very friendly altough it's a shame that the staff from the brewery themselves where not at the booth. "Braustoff Craftbeer" was another pleasant surprise because even though they're from the state of Jalisco, the brew master is German, resulting in some very interesting combinations between European and Mexican elements. Currently "Bruastoff Craftbeer" can only be found in Guadalajara, but if anyone managed to get their hands on some of the "4 Packs" of altbier or caramel weath, they will be the envy of many of us that werent able to get some.

In my opinion "Ramuri" and "Cucapá" established themselves as the champions of this "Tj Beer Fest" not only because the taps kept on flowing all day, but the fact that every brew they brought was a delight to drink. The best thing of all is that currently you can find "Rámuri" and "Cucapá" at supermarkets and convenience stores, making their beers really accessible.

In general the brew fest was a great event, there was laughter, music, fun, excellent food but overall magnificent local home brews that little by little are elevating Baja California's status, hence why once again I confirm that the king of home brews in Mexico is Baja California.

Jorge.Guevara@sandiegored.com

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