Highlights of the 2015 Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival

While Petaluma and Sonoma County have been known worldwide for wines and dairy products for many years, they are now building up a reputation for artisanal breweries as well.

The third annual Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival was held on September 12 along the Petaluma waterfront in historic downtown Petaluma to celebrate this growing culture. Patrons of the event strolled along Water Street, tasting various beers, ciders, and foods while viewing the river and listening to local bands Randy and the Special Agents and Sugar Moon.

Throughout the event, 20 local breweries showed off their fine brews, as well as a few cider, mead, and kombucha producers. To accompany all the delicious drinks, local food companies and restaurants brought everything from mac-n-cheese to tacos to pizza. For a list of participating vendors, click here.

Festival goers may have noticed the signs of autumn approaching in the slight winds and the chill in the air, but it certainly didn’t stop them from enjoy the festivities. Member of the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club and 2014 Citizen of the Year, Libby Fitzgerald noticed the general cheer of the event and said, “I’m having such a good time just watching everybody … It’s a mellow crowd, I love it. Everybody’s having such a good time. I think that’s my joy.”

The festival was put on by the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Petaluma Valley and was run by volunteers, allowing all proceeds from to go back to the community, river projects, and local non-profits. The event’s sponsors were Basin Street Properties, Morris Distributing, Petaluma Market, Wilibees Wine and Spirits, and Petaluma Creamery.

CLICK HERE OR PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE THE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO REEL FOR THIS EVENT AND PHOTO GALLERY

Thirst for craft beer drives expansion at Sonoma

                    Photo By Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat

In a Press Democrat article today, it appears there is plenty of demand for craft beer in Sonoma County.  Being local we often take for granted of how plentiful craft beer is our area and with so many excellent choices it’s like Christmas all year round.  So no wonder we are driving expansion – we have become craft beer snobs. We have Lagunitas Brewing Company, Russian River Brewing Company, Hen House, Petaluma Hills, 101 North, Bear Republic just to name a few.

This article interviews Tony Magee, founder and owner of Lagunitas Brewing Co. in Petaluma, and he shares how he intends to play a leading role in this expansion. More great craft beers in Sonoma? You had me at hello.

via Thirst for craft beer drives expansion at Sonoma | The Press Democrat.

#Petaluma Craft Brew Festival A Sell Out Crowd

                    Photo by Nate Vogel Posted By Petaluma Market

Yesterday was the Petaluma Craft Brew Festival.  It was sold out the day before the event.  There were visitors from all over, we met one couple from Canada. Immediately following the craft brew fest the Riverfront Art Gallery opened up for their 7th Anniversary and opening of Circle and Lines and A Walk In The Park showings.  The downtown was bustling with people.  Here are some photos of the crowd.

2014 Petaluma Craft Beer Festival: Photo By Wayne Dunbar
2014 Petaluma Craft Beer Festival: Photo By Wayne Dunbar

LR Craft Brew Fest-3

2014 Petaluma Craft Beer Festival: Photo By Wayne Dunbar
2014 Petaluma Craft Beer Festival: Photo By Wayne Dunbar
2014 Petaluma Craft Beer Festival: Photo By Wayne Dunbar
2014 Petaluma Craft Beer Festival: Photo By Wayne Dunbar

News is buzzing about Petaluma’s Lagunitas Brew Co

Today’s news is buzzing about #Petaluma ‘s Lagunitas Brewing Co.. San Francisco Inside Scoop reports they had a really big year with an over 80% growth in case sales now ranking sixth in the world for craft beers. Big news in Chicago Tribune reports bottling started in their new Chicago facility which has a massive capacity to produce.  Also New York Times reports about the new facility in Chicago.  For all the stories click here for the Petaluma Magazine which provides links directly to these stories.  This short video on their bottling in Chicago is a good update this Lagunitas Bottles Beer In Chicago.