DRAFT Magazine

Occasionally, we consider moving to San Diego. It’s warm. All the time. It’s beautiful. All the time. The people are attractive. All the time. Honestly, what’s not to like? Then you visit, however, and realize it’s essentially a city devoid of culture, unless you consider being a stop on the way to Tijuana an important cultural experience. We don’t.

This might be changing as the city will host its second annual CityBeat Festival of Beers on May 17. Over 20 local breweries will take part in the festivities, as well as tons of restaurants and bands. You can get tickets here.

There’s definitely a new reason to head to Southern California. For at least one day.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company didn’t let the economic meltdown of 2008 stop it from giving back to the community. The beermaker, who in 1989 became the first craft brewery to open in San Diego since Prohibition, donated $63,500 to events around the area — one percent of its total beer sales.

Charities supported by the effort included the San Diego, Orange County, and Newport Beach chapters of the Surfrider Foundation. The brewery also continued the Karl Strauss Brewers Education Fund, and donated $3,000 to the fund thanks to sales of the Imperial Amber Lager the group created in October.

We at DRAFTMag.com hope more breweries follow the lead of Karl Strauss. You know, giving back is one thing that feels better than drinking beer.

If you’ve finally recovered from Karl Strauss’ Beach to Brewery beer and music fest (Click here for photos depicting the madness…guess that’s what happens when you go through 72 kegs), make your way to any of the six San Diego locations for its June Cask Nights. This month’s cask holds a bold rye IPA: Dry-hopped with imported Phoenix hops, the amber-colored ale is brewed with
Marris Otter and rye malts for a robust, spicy flavor. Pints are $3.50 until the cask runs out. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com.

June Cask Nights:
Karl Strauss Downtown: Thursday, June 5th @ 5pm
Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens: Thursday, June 5th @ 5pm
Karl Strauss Costa Mesa: Thursday, June 5th @ 5pm
Karl Strauss City Walk: Thursday, June 5th @ 4pm
Karl Strauss Carlsbad: Friday, June 6th @ 5 pm
Karl Strauss La Jolla: Friday, June 6th @ 5pm

Adding a little competition to your tax day, the Brewers Association is gearing up for the 2008 World Beer Cup in San Diego, California. This biennial event will judge beers from 645 breweries in 58 countries. Featuring 92 categories like World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster for small, mid-size and large breweries, the Olympics of Beer Competitions honors the top three beers in each category with gold, silver and bronze awards. With nearly 3,000 brews, the most prestigious beer competition in the world will take place April 15-16 during the Craft Brewers Conference.

For more information visit, www.worldbeercup.org.