event Archives - California Wild Ales

Apr 11

21 to Life | Steam Beer | California Wild Ales | OB Brewery | 29 Palms Beer Co

29 to Life (Steam Beer) Collaboration

By admin cwa-blog, event

29 to Life: A Steam Beer Worth Doing Time For

Coastal creativity meets desert precision in this classic-meets-modern California Common

When you get three craft breweries together—each with their own style, terrain, and brewing philosophy—you don’t just get a beer. You get a story.

29 to Life, the latest collaboration between California Wild Ales, OB Brewery, and 29 Palms Beer Company, is more than just a throwback to one of California’s oldest beer styles. It’s a bold, drinkable love letter to the Golden State, brewed deep in the high desert and built to be enjoyed anywhere the sun touches.

🍺 What is a California Common?

If you’re not familiar with the California Common (aka steam beer), here’s the quick breakdown: it’s a hybrid style—fermented with lager yeast at ale temperatures, giving it a unique combo of crispness and fruity character. Traditionally rooted in the resource-limited brewing of 19th-century San Francisco, it’s a style that was built on innovation and adaptability. Sound familiar?

29 to Life takes that foundation and layers in rich malt complexity, modern brewing precision, and just enough personality to make it unmistakably ours.

🔍 Beer Details

Style: California Common / Steam Beer
ABV: 5.2%
Malt Profile: Toasty, biscuit, caramel
Yeast Character: Clean with subtle fruity esters
Finish: Crisp and dry with lingering malt warmth
Color: Deep amber, bright and clear

On the nose, you’ll get gentle waves of toasted grain and toffee. The flavor delivers smooth caramel and light biscuit upfront, balanced by a whisper of fruit and a clean, satisfying finish that leaves you wanting another sip.

🌵 Born in the Desert. Made for the Coast.

Brewed at 29 Palms Beer Company, 29 to Life was the second half of a two-part collaboration project with OB Brewery and California Wild Ales. The same team that brewed the award-winning Czech Your Head Dark Lager at the beach flipped the script and headed to the desert for round two.

“We wanted to brew something that honored California brewing history, but still felt fresh and exciting,” said Ed Heethuis of 29 Palms.
“This beer feels like the perfect crossroads between old-school tradition and modern craft.”

🍻 Where to Find It

29 to Life is conditioning now and will be available on draft soon at the following taprooms:

California Wild Ales (Ocean Beach / Point Loma)
OB Brewery (Ocean Beach)
29 Palms Beer Company (29 Palms / Joshua Tree area)

This one’s a taproom-only release for now, so if you want a taste, you’ll have to roll through. Trust us—it’s worth the drive, whether you’re coming from the sand or the cactus.

🎯 Why “29 to Life”?

The name is a playful nod to the town of 29 Palms, but it also hints at how good beer can feel like a life sentence in the best possible way. Once you get your first pint of this malty, toasty Cali Common, you’ll want it to stick around for good.

Whether you’re winding down after a desert hike, hanging beachside in Ocean Beach, or just looking for a well-balanced, easy-drinking beer with roots in California’s past and a future in your fridge—29 to Life is here for you.

From the desert to the coast, and every stop in between—cheers. 🍻

About the Breweries

California Wild Ales

Specializing in unique and adventurous beers inspired by tradition and innovation, California Wild Ales is known for its bold sour ales, IPAs, and experimental brews. Based in San Diego, CA, the brewery is dedicated to creating unforgettable beer experiences for enthusiasts everywhere.

OB Brewery

Located in the heart of Ocean Beach, OB Brewery is a community-driven brewpub focused on classic and modern styles brewed with quality and passion. With a killer rooftop view and a dedication to local flavors, OB Brewery is a must-visit for beer lovers.

📍 Find out more at OB Brewery’s website

29 Palms Beer Company

Nestled in the high desert, 29 Palms Beer Company brings craft beer to Joshua Tree country with a mix of traditional styles, experimental batches, and an appreciation for the rugged California landscape.

📍 Check them out at 29 Palms Beer Company’s website

21 to Life (Steam Beer) | CAlifornia Wild Ales

Apr 10

Love4

Czech Your Head | Dark Lager | California Wild Ales | OB Brewery

California Wild Ales, OB Brewery, and 29 Palms Beer Company Collaborate

By admin cwa-blog, event

Crafted by the Ocean.

CALIFORNIA WILD ALES, OB BREWERY, AND 29 PALMS BEER COMPANY UNITE TO CREATE TWO EXCITING NEW BREWS

Introducing Czech Your Head Dark Lager and 29 to Life Cali Common – A Coastal-Desert Collaboration

SAN DIEGO, CA — January 27, 2025 — Craft beer lovers, get ready for an exciting new collaboration! California Wild Ales, OB Brewery, and 29 Palms Beer Company have joined forces to bring you two unique and flavorful brews that reflect the best of their respective brewing styles. These collaboration beers, Czech Your Head and 29 to Life, were brewed at two different locations, each showcasing the expertise and creative vision of the brewing teams involved.

“This collaboration was a chance for all of us to step outside of our comfort zones, learn from each other, and make something truly special,” said Zack Brager, co-founder of California Wild Ales. “Each beer tells its own story—one inspired by the cool, coastal vibes of Ocean Beach, and the other influenced by the rugged beauty of the high desert.”

Czech Your Head – Dark Lager

📍 Brewed at OB Brewery, San Diego, CA

The first of these two collaboration beers, Czech Your Head, is a bold and complex Dark Lager inspired by the classic Czech Tmavé Pivo style but with a modern West Coast touch. Brewed at OB Brewery by the collective talents of Zack Brager (California Wild Ales), Jim Millea (OB Brewery), and Ed Heethuis (29 Palms Beer Company), this beer has already made a name for itself—winning the bronze medal in the Dark Lager category at the 2025 San Diego County Fair Craft Brew Competition.

Pouring a deep mahogany color with ruby highlights, Czech Your Head delivers an enticing blend of nutty malt complexity, subtle caramel sweetness, and a smooth roasted backbone. It finishes crisp and clean, thanks to the traditional Czech lagering process.

Inspired by the Beastie Boys’ iconic album Check Your Head, this beer embodies the spirit of collaboration and boundary-pushing creativity.

“Dark lagers don’t always get the attention they deserve, and we wanted to create something that truly highlights the depth of this style while making it incredibly drinkable,” said Jim Millea of OB Brewery. “The name is a nod to both our musical influences and the idea of expanding your brewing horizons.”

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Dark mahogany with ruby highlights
Aroma: Toasted bread, mild chocolate, and hints of caramel
Flavor: Rich malt depth with notes of roasted nuts and a touch of coffee
Finish: Crisp, clean, and refreshingly smooth

Czech Your Head is now pouring exclusively at California Wild Ales, OB Brewery, and 29 Palms Beer Company taprooms. Be sure to stop by and taste this award-winning beer while it lasts.

29 to Life – Cali Common

📍 Brewed at 29 Palms Beer Company, 29 Palms, CA

The second half of this collaboration journey took the brewing team eastward into the high desert of 29 Palms, CA, where they crafted 29 to Life, a California Common that beautifully merges rich maltiness with a crisp, refreshing West Coast finish.

Fermented with a lager yeast at ale temperatures, this unique beer showcases a toasty caramel malt profile, balanced by a touch of fruity esters from the hybrid fermentation process. It’s a nod to the classic “Steam Beer” style made famous by California brewers in the 1800s, but with a modern twist.

“We wanted to brew something that pays homage to California’s brewing heritage while also representing the diversity of the state’s beer scene,” said Ed Heethuis of 29 Palms Beer Company. “Brewing in the desert presents different challenges than brewing by the ocean, and this beer is a reflection of both our environments and our collective passion for craft beer.”

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Deep amber with a bright, clear body
Aroma: Toasted malt, light caramel, and a subtle hint of dried fruit
Flavor: Balanced malt sweetness with notes of biscuit, toffee, and a crisp, slightly fruity finish
Finish: Smooth and dry with a lingering malt complexity

29 to Life is currently conditioning and will be available on draft at California Wild Ales, OB Brewery, and 29 Palms Beer Company taprooms.

Perfected in the Desert.

A Collaboration That Bridges Ocean & Desert

From the laid-back beachside vibes of San Diego to the rugged, untamed beauty of the high desert, these two collaboration beers represent the heart of California brewing. By bringing together three breweries with unique perspectives and backgrounds, this project is a testament to the power of community, creativity, and craftsmanship in craft beer.

“Collaborations like this remind us why we love brewing,” said Zack Brager. “It’s about pushing boundaries, trying new things, and, most importantly, having fun while making great beer.”

So whether you’re sipping a dark, roasty lager by the coast or enjoying a crisp Cali Common under the desert sky, grab a pint, raise a glass, and toast to the spirit of collaboration and the love of craft beer.

Prost! 🍻