Cheers for Wildlife Conservation

This story as it appeared in 805 Living, July/August 2019. Photo courtesy Santa Barbara Zoo.

This story as it appeared in 805 Living, July/August 2019. Photo courtesy Santa Barbara Zoo.

Something cold, refreshing, and eco-friendly is brewing at the Santa Barbara Zoo (sbzoo.org) this summer. Sales of Zoo Brew, a custom California pale ale produced by Ventura Coast Brewing Company (vcbc.beer), have already exceeded expectations, says zoo culinary programs manager Emily Largey. While the zoo gets the profits, the beer serves an even more important role as a vehicle to educate adults about animal conservation efforts. “Learning isn’t just for the kids,” Largey says. “The conservation messaging on the first can is ‘Drink beer, save wildlife.’ Each season we’ll roll out a new beer and a new label featuring an endangered or protected animal at the zoo.” 

This story originally appeared in the July/August 2019 issue of 805 Living.

805 Living Pulse Jul-Aug 2019 (click here to see the story as it appeared in 805 Living)

 

 

Cocktail Corner: Happy Anniversary to Firestone Walker Barrelworks Wild Ales

Courtesy Firestone Walker.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg 

It’s sure to be a wild party this weekend when Firestone Walker’s Wild Ale Facility in Buellton marks its fifth anniversary with a Feral One” release party on Saturday, March 3.

Time flies when you’re behaving wildly. “It seems like just yesterday that we made this big bet on what had long been a pet project,” says Jeffers Richardson, director of Barrelworks. “In the five years since opening Barrelworks, we’ve really grown into our home and taken our wild ale machinations to an entirely new level.”

The five year milestone is being marked by a party that features the release of Feral One Batch #5. Feral One Batch #1 was Barrelworks’ inaugural bottled beer release. They describe Batch #5 as “an unruly blend of six vintage base beers that were reclaimed from the barrel stacks and artfully combined to create a mouthwatering marvel.”

Courtesy Firestone Walker.

Courtesy Firestone Walker.

Barrelworks was established in 2013 after Firestone Walker’s wild ale program outgrew the main brewery in Paso Robles. It has since become known as a “cathedral of barrels” that produces an acclaimed variety of sour beers and hybrid ales under the watchful eyes of Richardson and Master Blender Jim Crooks.

The festivities take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 at Firestone Walker Barrelworks (620 McMurray Rd., Buellton). Tickets include pre-purchased bottles of Feral One Batch #5; a “pig plate” to build your own tacos or sliders (pig roasted on site); live music by The Ragged Jubilee; tastings of rare wild ales and barrel-aged beers; plus light bites while supplies last and a one-time 25% savings card good for merchandise and beer purchases (with exception of Feral One) that day.

Ticket Options:

  • $75 – includes three (3) bottles of Feral One & food plate
  • $125 – includes six (6) bottles of Feral One & food plate
  • $225 includes – 12 bottles of Feral One & food plate

    Courtesy Firestone Walker.

    Courtesy Firestone Walker.

For more details and to purchase tickets for event, click here. Check out Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine‘s spring 2017 story, “Where the Wild Brews Are,” 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 March 2, 2018.

Cocktail Corner: SB County Craft Beer Week Toasts Local Brews

By Rodrigo Menezes (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

By Rodrigo Menezes (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

From Monday, October 23 to Sunday, October 29, more than 15 local breweries at over 20 locations will celebrate the inaugural Santa Barbara County Craft Beer Week with a variety of special events featuring pint nights, food pairings, special releases, live entertainment and more. Jump on the Brew Bus will offer transportation to a different city each day, giving beer lovers a fun, inexpensive safe way to explore participating breweries, from Goleta to Santa Maria. For a complete list of activities click here

The seven-day celebration culminates in the second annual Buckles ‘n’ Brews Invitational Beer Festival, a Kiwanis Club fundraiser featuring 25 select breweries, live music, a barbecue, Halloween costume contest and more on Saturday,October 28 at the Carriage and Western Art Museum of Santa Barbara.

For more information: Santa Barbara County Craft Beer Week: www.sbccraftbeerweek.com; Buckles ‘n’ Brews: www.bucklesandbrews.com.

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 October 23, 2017.

It’s Football Season at the Garden

Courtesy The Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Courtesy The Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Sunday Funday is now happening every week at The Garden inside the Santa Barbara Public Market. With NFL Sunday Ticket and wide coverage of NCAA Football, you’ll never miss a game. Plus, the Garden is now serving up breakfast on weekends starting at 9 a.m. in this fun, family-friendly new venue.

Plant yourself in The Garden and enjoy Fried Chicken & Waffles, Chilaquiles, Monster Breakfast Burritos and lighter fare including egg white omelettes and housemade granola served with yogurt and locally grown fruit. Breakfast drink specials also include fresh mimosas and micheladas.

Courtesy the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Courtesy the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Located inside the Santa Barbara Public Market, The Garden offers guests the ability to view all the games while enjoying food and 41 craft beers and eight wines on the always rotating on-tap menu.

The Garden is located at 38 W. Victoria St. (at Chapala) with free underground parking. For more information, visit sbpublicmarket.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Fried Chicken and Waffles from the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Fried Chicken and Waffles from the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Mary’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich topped with jalapeno slaw & house pickles on a sesame bun from the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Mary’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich topped with jalapeno slaw & house pickles on a sesame bun from the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Courtesy the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Courtesy the Garden at Santa Barbara Public Market.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 6, 2016.