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Beerapalooza
2008
CBN's 20th Anniversary Mardi Gras Bash
Article: Tom Dalldorf | Video: Steve
Atkinson |
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CELEBRATOR
BEER NEWS TURNS 20!
Mardi Gras Comes to Oakland Convention
Center
The Celebrator Beer News celebrated its 20th anniversary
on Sunday, February 17, 2008, with a Mardi Gras-themed party
at the Oakland Convention Center/Marriott Hotel in Oakland,
Calif. Nearly 700 people helped celebrate the longest running
“brewspaper” in America with great beer and a New
Orleans party vibe.
More than 40 breweries poured over 150 favorite brews and a
VIP/Media session starting an hour early featured special one-off
beers and rare reserves. Two breweries presented special kegs
and bottles of beers honoring the Celebrator’s
milestone achievement. California Celebrator founders
Bret and Julie Nickels along with Celebrator staff
past and present, writers and beer industry luminaries, including
pioneer figures in the craft beer movement, were on hand to
meet the beer-loving faithful and dance the night away.
Cajun/Creole food catered by the Marriott Hotel and music
from the Zenith Dixieland Jazz Band and the Funky Gators Zydeco
Band had the attendees rocking all night. The extraordinary
selection of beers was the big hit of the evening and included
a souvenir Belgian-style glass commemorating the Celebrator’s
20th Anniversary.
Celebrator writers past and present attending the
20th Anniversary Party included Brent Ainsworth, San Anselmo,
CA; Bob Barnes, Las Vegas, NV; Steve Beaumont, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada; Jay Brooks, Novato, CA; Bobby Bush, North Carolina;
Tomm Carroll, Los Angeles, CA; Don Erickson, Santa Maria,
CA; Bryan Harrell, Tokyo, Japan; Rich Link, San Diego, CA;
Richard McLaughlin, San Diego, CA; Mike Pitsker, Livermore,
CA; Dan Rabin, Boulder, CO; Jim “Dr. Fermento”
Roberts, Anchorage, AK; John Rowling, Victoria, BC; CR Saikley,
Alameda, CA; Jay Sheveck, Los Angeles, CA.
Current and former staffers included former art director Tony
Burke; distribution manager Mark Cabrera; editor/publisher
Tom Dalldorf; art director Ken Hickmott; copy editor Pamela
McManus; former editor/publisher Bret Nickels, Winnapeg, Canada;
former writer/publisher Julie Nickels, Pleasanton, CA; and
tasting coordinator Mike Long.
Brewery owners and CEOs attending the party included: Nico
Freccia, Shawn O’Sullivan, 21st Amendment; Ken Allen,
Anderson Valley Brewing; Ted Vivatson, Eel River; Mike Altman,
Iron Springs; Dave McClean, Magnolia
and Alambic; Brendon Moylan, Marin, Moylan’s, Noonan’s;
Don Gortemiller, Pacific Coast; Scott Barnum, Pyramid Ales/Portland
Brewing; Alan Shapiro, Reunion Beer; Vinnie Cilurzo, Russian
River Brewing; Ron Silberstein, Thirsty Bear; John Martin,
Triple Rock; Chris Garrett, Devil’s Canyon Brewing;
David Heist, HopTown Brewing; Jeremy Cowan, He’Brew
and Pete Slosberg, ex Pete’s Wicked Ale.
Brewing memorabilia, special bottles, a handmade cruiser bike
and other gift items were available to bid on at a silent
auction benefiting the California Small Brewers Association.
This auction raised over $5000 for the association’s
legislative activities. All profits from this event went to
the CSBA to further the interests of the brewing community.
After last orders, the party continued at Pacific Coast Brewing
Company across the street and The Trappist plus the Celebrator
hospitality suite on the 19th floor of the Marriott Hotel.
Truly a memorable beer event. Many thanks to all those who
helped out and made the trip to the San Francisco Bay Area
for the 20th gathering. Onward to 25! |
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A colorful shot of costumed merrymakers dancing
to the Funky Gators Zydeco band. |
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The Celebrator writers gather (no mean
feat that) with a few missing. From left are:
Richard McLaughlin, San Diego; Jim “Dr.
Fermento” Roberts, Anchorage; Rich Link,
San Diego; Brent Ainsworth, San Anselmo; Bobby
Bush, North Carolina; Tomm Carroll, Los Angeles;
Pamela McManus, Pacifica; Tom Dalldorf, Hayward;
John Rowling, Victoria, BC; Bob Barnes, Las Vegas;
Jay Brooks (kneeling), Novato; Don Erickson, Santa
Maria; Tony Burke, Castro Valley; Mark Cabrara,
Oakland and Steve Beaumont, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
Compare this list with the list of writers attending
to see who was TOO BUSY checking out the beers
to make the photo shoot! |
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Kevin Doyne, bartender at The Bistro, and Mo
Dietrich (who stayed up late the night before
hand making these costumes) with publisher Tom
Dalldorf after being told they won the Best Costume
prize of $100 cash! |
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Bistro regulars Ricky DeAnda (fur man) and colorful
undies guy Jack Weldon having way too much fun. |
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Jesse “The Ventura” Bartender, of
the Bistro in Hayward, with Valerie Judd acting
as a calming agent for Jesse’s, uh, exuberance. |
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Alec Moss, brewer at Half Moon Bay Brewing, and
Paul Marshall, member of the Celebrator
Blind Panel Judging group. |
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Arne Johnson, brewer at Marin Brewing, Shawn
O’Sullivan, owner/brewer at 21st Amendment
and Victor Kralj, co-owner of The Bistro in Hayward. |
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Former Celebrator writer CR Saikley
shares a memory (or loss thereof) with Celebrator
columnist and author Steve Beaumont in from Toronto,
Canada. |
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Dave McLean, owner of Magnolia
Brewery and Alembic Lounge in San Francisco with
Celebrator Blind Tasting Panel Director
and master blogster Jay Brooks and Dave’s
assistant brewer. |
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Davie Heist, owner of HopTown Brewery, Steve
Altimari, brewer at Valley Brewing in Stockton
and Lori Marshall enjoy a beer together. |
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Dave Keene, owner of Toronado
in San Francisco, Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owner/brewer
at Russian River and Shawn O’Sullivan, 21st
Amendment. |
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If La Chouffe fits, wear it, say Ted’s
main squeeze seen here with Ken Allen, Anderson
Valley Brewing, and Ted Vivatson, Eel River Brewing. |
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Celebrator editor/publisher Tom Dalldorf
knows where to stick the headphones for an on-air
interview from the floor of the party on thebrewingnetwork.com. |
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Blogmeister Jay Brooks with author/beer evangelist
Steve Beaumont from Toronto. |
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Lisa Urban, homebrewer from Anchorage, Tom Dalldorf,
publisher and Beth Zangari, homebrewer and well-known
beer judge share a moment. |
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Ted Vivatson from Eel River and Dave and Jen
from the Toronado
enjoy the gathering. |
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Publisher Tom Dalldorf, publican emeritus Judy
Ashworth and industry veteran Dean Biersch, now
owner of Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol, share some
memories of the beer biz. |
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Brendon Moylan, Marin, Moylan’s and Noonan’s,
and publisher Tom Dalldorf recall the early days
of the beer industry. |
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Bret Nickels, co-founder of the California
Celebrator in 1988, flew down from Winnipeg,
Canada, to be with the gathering at the 20th anniversary
party. Here he and “Crazy” Dave Heist
share a moment of the really early days at Judy
Ashworth’s pub in Sunol, Calif. |
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The gang from Brewing Network set up a studio
on the floor of the Celebrator's 20th
Anniversary Party to interview some of the legends
of beer that were attending and enjoying the great
beer and camaraderie. From left: Multi-award winning
brewer Matt Bryndelson, Firestone Walker, Lauren
Salazar, QC at New Belgium Brewery in Colorado,
also multi-award-winning brewer Vinnie Cilurzo,
Russian River Brewing and Justin Crossley, Brewing
Network. |
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Publisher Tom Dalldorf greets the crowd with
his Cat in the Hat disguise. |
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