By: Jante Ziarra
Cali Uncorked made its debut on Saturday, November 14, bringing beer, wine, food, comedy and music all in one place- Silverado’s Oak Canyon. The festival brought over 100 beers and wines from all over California alongside food trucks and pop-up restaurants.
Many breweries came equipped with crowd-favorite IPAs like Green Flash and their florally and hoppy West Coast IPA or Knee Deep Brewing’s citrusy and piney Breaking Bud IPA, named after a popular television show, while Northern California’s Alamanac Brew Co. brought their Ginger Gose, a nice break from all the IPAs. California wineries like Force of Nature, Dark Horse and Rex Goliath brought their reds and whites.
Many festivalgoers were after The Viking Truck’s flavor-packed hot dogs like the bacon and jalapeno stuffed Loki and Dragon Eggs, tater tots covered in chili, or burgers and fries from The Cut. Spend too much time in line for the food trucks and the festival will be over before you know it, leaving just enough time for whatever brewery that still had beer to pour.
Austrian Chef Bernhard Mairinger and owner of LA’s BierBeisl, who could be scene on Iron Chef America, was around handing out free desserts from his restaurant like a goat cheese Danish or Nutella-stuffed brioche. The festival also featured a food pairing stage and a cigar lounge, all of which were easy to miss if you were too occupied at the beer and wine booths.
The beer and wine pours ended at 4 p.m. signaling time for the main music events- Collie Buddz and Cali natives Rebelution. Comedian David Koecher of the Office and Anchorman wrapped up the Funny or Die Stage with countless “Whammys!” Rebelution seemed to be the main event of all of Cali Uncorked, bringing in a huge crowd and good vibes on an Autumn night in California.
