Craft breweries have been gradually growing in number for quite some time. Go back just a few decades and they numbered only a couple dozen nationwide. Today, there are more than 7,000 craft breweries in the United States and while the majority of them are less than 5 years old, there are some veterans in the bunch and one of them happens to be turning the ripe old age of 24. The brewery is none other than Alesmith Brewing Company and the folks at Alesmith have a special weekend of celebration planned for August 9, 10, and 11, 2019.
Alesmith plans to focus this anniversary celebration on the arts. Guests will be treated to an art exhibition featuring local San Diego artists along with live music, food pairings, beer education and, of course, beer. It’s common for breweries to release a special anniversary beer each year, but Alesmith is truly going over the top for its 24th anniversary, releasing 10 new beers, each a collaboration with another brewery or some other type of business. Here is a quick summary of the beer slated for release:
- Coastal Connect (New Zealand-style Pilsner with Faction Brewing)
- Local Perc (coffee IPA with Bird Rock Coffee Roasters)
- Crave of Wonders (tangerine Blonde with The Cravory)
- Shan-Guava (guava IPA with Extraordinary Desserts)
- Spirited Crew (barrel-aged Dunkles Bock with Malahat Spirits)
- OG Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels (Gravity Heights)
- OG Barleywine aged in peach sherry barrels (Gravity Heights)
- OG Barleywine aged in cognac barrels (Gravity Heights)
- OG Barleywine aged in Islay scotch barrels (Gravity Heights)
- 2019 Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout
The fun begins on Friday, August 9th with a sold out CheeseSmith and AleSmith Beer Pairing, which will include five artisan cheeses paired with compatible Alesmith beer. AleSmith owner, Peter Zien, is also the owner of CheeseSmith, a separate business that is located right at the brewery. On Saturday and Sunday, the art exhibit will kick into gear, with over 40 local artists exhibiting and selling their work.
Attendance to the anniversary party is free and will include live musical performances by Disappointing Joseph and weekend headliner, Sully & The Souljahs on Saturday, followed by The Walter Brothers and Glass Radio on Sunday. Also on Sunday, August 11th, guests can get an education in barrel aging as Quality Supervisor Peter Cronin explains what barrel aging is all about and how different barrels impart different flavors to beer.
Most breweries are still relatively young and inexperienced, but Alesmith Brewing is a true pioneer; a veteran of the craft beer business that is still going strong nearly a quarter century after brewing and selling its first beer. It’s going to be a fun weekend to celebrate beer, art, and music so make your way to AleSmith Brewing Company at 9990 AleSmith Court in San Diego and mark the occasion of Alesmith’s 24 years in business in the company of other craft beer fans. For more information including ticketing, visit online at www.alesmith.com/24years.
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