Sierra Brewfest 2018 a Success at the Nevada County Fairgrounds

Colorful Brewfest attendees enjoyed the afternoon.
The 29th incarnation of northern California’s oldest beer festival took place Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California. Fabulous weather under the tall pines of the fairgrounds made the afternoon’s celebration of craft beer a treat. The only complaint this reporter heard was about the size of the tasting cups supplied by the festival.
The tiny little plastic beer mugs with an even tinier handle would have made better earrings than serve as a tasting vessel. Organizers quickly sent out runners to buy up clear plastic cups to distribute to the huge crowd. Problem averted.
Tickets were a reasonable $35 a person considering the excellent selection of craft beer, cider, kombucha and mead on offer.
New this year was a no-host wine bar for the non-beer folks! Once again the annual beer and food event was held on the same day as the most excellent Nevada City Uncorked wine and food paring held in downtown Nevada City. This is just nuts. Come on, organizers, give us a week and a lot of us will do both!

From left: Tom Dalldorf, Celebrator; Casey Carhart, Deschutes Brewery and Mikail Graham, KVMR.
This year’s beerfest featured a great selection of food items from some of the best local food trucks and restaurants. A Bagg-O Tournament was held to win tickets to the 2019 BrewFest along with other great prizes. Music was provided by The Cash Prophets, a true to life Johnny Cash Tribute band from Folsom, California, honoring the unique Johnny Cash sound.
The Sierra Brewfest is a benefit for Music in the Mountains.
Participating breweries for this year:
Anderson Valley Brewing
Auburn Alehouse
Belching Beaver
Boochcraft Brewing
Crispin Cider
Crooked Lane Brewery
Deschutes Brewing
Dust Bowl Brewing
Feather Falls Brewery
Grass Valley Brewing
Kona Brewing
Lagunitas
Lost Coast Brewery
Maui Brewing
Moksa Brewing
Nash’s Brewing Co.
Ol Republic
Revision Brewing
Six Rivers Brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewing
Strad Meadery
Steigl
Shipyard Brewing
Stone Brewing
Three Forks Brewery
Three Mile Brewing