Going With the Flow

From 805 Living Magazine's Pulse section, winter 2021.

From 805 Living Magazine’s Pulse section, winter 2021.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company (firestonebeer.com) ventures into new territory with Flow State, a monthly video series (youtu.be/Invvcsi2P24) hosted by adventurer Dylan Efron, who grew up on the Central Coast and honed his thirst for pushing the limits as a professional triathlete before becoming a producer and star of the Netflix show Down To Earth and launching the Off the Grid YouTube series with his brother, actor Zac Efron.

Flow State challenges world-class athletes and performers with outdoor exploits that are unfamiliar to them. For example, in one episode Brazilian professional skateboarder Leticia Bufoni learns to rock climb despite her fear of heights, and, in another, beach volleyball
superstar brothers Riley and Maddison McKibbin go off-roading.

“Outdoor adventure is a way of life around here, and it’s something we’re passionate about,” says Firestone Walker cofounder David Walker. “The Central Coast has been our home for 25 years, and as a local, Dylan is the perfect friend and partner to help us tell these stories.”

Click here to see this story as it originally appeared in the Winter 2021 issue of 805 Living Magazine.

Cocktail Corner: California Brew Festival

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

As a winemaker friend once told me, “It takes a lot of beer to make good wine.” So I guess that means that bringing the California Brew Festival here to wine country is long overdue. 

More than 40 breweries will come together to pour hundreds of craft brews from all over the world at the inaugural festival, which takes place on October 7 at Chase Palm Park.  Expect thousands of beer lovers to pour into Santa Barbara for a day of sun, sea, beer, food and music. Guests grab their 16 oz. glass and start sipping just a frisbee throw away from the sparkling Pacific, while One2Tree, a soulful reggae band, keeps the beat.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

Featured breweries include: 10 Barrel Brewing Co.; Angel City Brewery; Avery Brewing Co.; Ballast Point Brewing Co.; Bell’s Inspired Brewing; Brass Bear Brewing and Bistro; The Brewhouse; Captain Fatty’s Craft Brewery; Coedo; Coronado Brewing Co.Draughtsmen Aleworks; Figueroa Mountain Brew Co.; Firestone Walker Brewing Company; Garage Project; Hollister Brewing Company; Knee Deep Brewing Co.; Lagunitas Brewing Company; M. Special Brewing Company; Pure Order Brewing Co.; Rincon Brewery; Rogue Ales & Spirits; Saint Archer Brewing Company; Santa Maria Brewing Co.; Stone Brewing Co.; Tap It Brewing Co.; The Dudes’ Brewing Company; Third Window Brewing Co.; Topa Topa; Unibroue and Ventura Coast Brew Co.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

California Brew Festival benefits Surf Happens Foundation, whose mission it to enrich the lives of local youth through environmental education and the sport of surfing.

The event takes place on October 7, from 2-5 p.m., with V.I.P. entrance at 1 p.m.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

Courtesy California Brew Festival.

General Admission Ticket ($75) includes:

    • All beer, cider and wines tastes
    • Souvenir pint glass
    • Food samples from local restaurants and food purveyors
    • Live music by Neighborhood Thieves and One2Tree

VIP Ticket ($100) includes all of the above plus:

  • VIP Pavilion catered by Patxi’s Pizza with pizza, salads and appetizers
  • Rare brews only offered in the VIP area
  • Wines by Buttonwood Farm Winery
  • Oceanside seating with an unobstructed view of the stage
  • VIP Restrooms
  • Complimentary pretzel necklace

Tickets can be purchased here. Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 22, 2017.

Cocktail Corner: Notable News

Blue Tavern's Pisco Sour features Porton Pisco, angostura bitters and cinnamon tincture. (courtesy photo)

Blue Tavern’s Pisco Sour features Porton Pisco, angostura bitters and cinnamon tincture. (courtesy photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg |

Winemaker Doug Margerum‘s first release from his new brand, BARDEN came out earlier this month. Margerum says, “The BARDEN collaboration is the pairing of my dream to make the ultimate expression of Santa Barbara County grapes and winemaker Jason Barrette’s acute craftsmanship and skill. BARDEN showcases a fusion between Jason’s southern hemisphere and worldwide winemaking experience, our access to the top vineyards and the philosophy and knowledge we both share in what makes a wine world-class. The BARDEN trade name is my middle name and its English meaning is ‘Lives near the boar’s den’ … thusly we have adorned the label with an image of the wild boar that is pervasive in the vineyards of Santa Barbara County.” The wine, which retails for $87,  received 92-93 points from Tanzer and can be ordered by emailing tastingroom@margerumwines.com. |

Acclaimed mixologist Deysi Alvarez at the hot new restaurant Blue Tavern (119 State St., 805/845-0989) utilizes a unique blend of cultures as inspiration for her cocktail menu, which features classic drinks made with housemade tinctures and small-batch spirits. The Margarita features Espolon tequila, house orange reduction, fresh lime Juice, agave nectar, and Gusano salt; the Mojito de Martinique showcases Clement Rhum VSOP and clement cane syrup; and the Old Fashioned takes a trip to South America with the replacement of bourbon with mezcal. Blue Tavern’s wine list  focuses on local vintners, many of whom have tasting rooms in the Funk Zone, just blocks from the restaurant.|

Nikki and Jeff Nelson, owners of Liquid Farm, the small production wine project focused on Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and Happy Canyon AVA Rosé, are plowing through this year’s early harvest in a boutique winery space within the newly-established, local coop facility, the Buellton Wine Center (65 Los Padres Way, Buellton) with the help of friend and winemaker, James Sparks. Located just half of a mile north of Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Taproom Restaurant, Liquid Farm joins seven other Santa Barbara County wine producers in the Coop, including Bonaccorsi Wine CompanyLarner WineryCasa Dumetz Wines and Municipal Winemakers. Michael Larner, the visionary behind the new Coop, has transformed two adjacent industrial buildings into private, individually walled-off wine production spaces outfitted with communal harvest equipment and resources, as well as cooperative common areas. |

As part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebration, from January 30 – February 9, Film Feast 2014 will take you and your taste buds on a culinary journey of cuisine and libations, made famous in Santa Barbara. Local talents and ingredients have come together to produce award-worthy tasting flights. Nominees include “The Graduate Wine Flight” at Au Bon Climat Wine Tasting Room and The Jim Clendenen Wine Library (813 Anacapa St.) which includes eight wines comprised of four sets – one older and one younger vintage of the same wine.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 27, 2013

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”