Salute! Beer and Food Festival

Hey… I’m drunk, you’re drunk… everybody’s drunk!
That seemed to be the motto around here. The food was there and it was tasty. I think it was just there so it could soak up some of the alcohol or else there would be a lot of bodies hitting the floor.
I’m actually surprised there wasn’t any CHP cars just parked at the exit of this parking lot. I mean, with 60 different beers to choose from to fill your 6oz glass, how the hell was I walking away from this thing sober?
And let’s not muddle things around, these weren’t your typical beers here that you’ll find at a Ralphs or a sporting event. These were microbrewed beers.
New Belgium, Red Hook, Sierra Nevada, Stone, Anchor Brewery company, Craftsman, Maui Brewing company and so many more were here just pouring their liquid alcoholic goodness into little glasses.
If you hadn’t tried a beer before, this was the spot. You can get your drink on in a great way.
Had VIP pass and got in early, the organizers said they wouldn’t be pouring beer till an hour later. Ha! Yeah right. Walking around I was already getting a good buzz going well before that hour passed.
Every booth I went to had chill people. Perhaps that’s cause they serve beer for a living. I mean, one guy was talking about how a friend «twisted his arm» to make him work this event.
They were super helpful in teaching you about their brew and what makes them so special. Then you get to talk about what you just drank. Or just walk away if it’s bad.
Big ups to LAwest CM Christina for passing the love in the way of free passes to this event. Loved every minute of it. So much fun was had. Well worth the drive out to the Ventura county for this.

What’s better than all the beer you can drink!!! Free carefully crafted independent California beer, and tons of different choices!!! That’s what this festival was all about, dissing Budweiser and MGD!!! Oh did I mention the free food!!! Hahahahah… all this for $ 55??? Really! Salud to the Salute Festival, all this for the benefit of the Food Share organization, now I feel like an elitist!!! Watch out Real Housewives of New York, the stop and repeat is next!
The BEER!
OK, OK, OK… lets see, this is the selection that comes to mind: Lagunitas, Pyramid, New Castle, Angel City, Che, Red Trolley, Harvest, Anchor Steamer, Piraat, Drifter, Long Board, Alaskan, Peach, OBC, Speak Easy, Ladyface, Skinny Dip, and a lot more!!! Don’t recognize a good half of them, well most of the breweries were micro breweries, mostly but not limited to CA!!! I had San Francisco nostalgia when I had Harvest (tear). This alone was worth the $ 55! $ 100 plus if you wanted VIP, but I tell you after 2pm, anyone had access to VIP, everyone was too drunk to care!!! Surprisingly I did not see any projectile anywhere, people were friendly, no «Laker Fans»! Fantastic! I loved hearing the brewers talking crap about how Safeway wanted to buy their beer, but they were too indie for them (Santa Cruz nostalgia, tear)!!
The Food
Wow, there was also food: Italian, Mexican, Seafood, Greek, Dessert, American, smoothies! This is what prevented people from getting drunk to the point of no return, and you know how Taco Bell taste good after a couple of drinks, well imagine how good, good food taste when you are under the influence!!! The food was donated by some of the best restaurants in the VC, La Dolce Vita was there giving out Italian! Just this was worth the $ 55, c’mon folks, we had oysters with the purchase, hand crafted chocolate truffles, local ice cream!!! This festival is good for anyone 21 and plus, unless you don’t like food or beer!
Let some this up: dozens of CA Micro breweries, Local good food, sun, music, ocean… Salute to California, this event is a must go, hopefully Food Share and Ojai Brewing Company do this again next year, cross fingers!!! Best Festival I have been to, by far, I give this 6 stars but Unilocal wont let me!!!