Best Beers in California: It's Official

The California State Fair has released the results of the 18th annual California State Fair Craft Beer Competition which makes for some interesting reading, especially the Best of Show, a beer from Left Coast Brewing, down in San Clemente, a Vienna Amber Lager called Una Mas. Brewed with Sterling hops, it has an ABV of 5.8%, just passing the session criterion

Photo: Left Coast Brewing website.

Also a big winner was Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in Half Moon Bay, Calif.,
for a new award, Best of Show Session Beer (under 5% alcohol) which was awarded to a wood-aged saison called Ocho Barril. I'm not a big fan of saisons (I have to confess that I have not tried that many) but this one I want to sample some day. From their FB page, the beer is thus described: "This exceptional beer was aged for six months in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio French oak barrels and is currently on tap, but will not last long! Cheers!"


If you care the read the entire list of winners, it's here.

However, I discovered a blog by one of the judges which does a better job of displaying the winners. Written by Jay Brooks, it's much easier to follow.