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CWA Takes Home the Gold!

By cwa-blog, event

CWA Takes Home the Gold!

California Wild Ales Takes the Crown at the 43rd Annual Chili Cookoff in Ocean Beach

The 43rd Annual Chili Cookoff in Ocean Beach recently concluded with a surprising twist, as California Wild Ales, a local brewery known for its experimental craft beers, emerged as the champion. The key to their victory was an outstanding chili recipe crafted by the talented Monica DeWitt, who had previously secured third place in last year’s competition. Let’s dive into the story behind California Wild Ales’ triumph and Monica DeWitt’s impressive culinary journey.

Monica DeWitt’s Journey to Success: Monica DeWitt, an enthusiastic chili enthusiast and flavor enthusiast, has been participating in the Ocean Beach Chili Cookoff for the past two years. Despite not being a professional chef, her passion for culinary creativity and dedication to perfecting her chili recipe earned her a well-deserved third-place finish last year. Her determination and commitment to refining her skills set the stage for her remarkable achievement this year.

We approached this year’s Chili Cookoff with a unique strategy. They sought to combine their exceptional craft beers, particularly our Bike Lane LAger, with Monica DeWitt’s award-winning chili recipe, creating a distinct fusion of flavors. This collaboration between the brewery and a passionate chili enthusiast set them apart from their competitors.

Monica DeWitt’s winning chili recipe, enhanced by the incorporation of California Wild Ales’ craft beers, captivated the judges and attendees alike. Her careful selection of spices and premium ingredients, combined with the addition of the brewery’s distinct flavors, resulted in a truly unforgettable culinary experience. The final dish showcased a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and a subtle hint of hoppy bitterness, leaving a lasting impression on all who tasted it.

43rd Annual Chili Champs

The Ocean Beach community was thrilled by California Wild Ales’ victory at the 43rd Annual Chili Cookoff. The event, a beloved tradition that unites locals and visitors, witnessed an outpouring of support for the brewery and Monica DeWitt. The triumph served as a testament to the region’s culinary creativity and the spirit of collaboration.

The success of California Wild Ales and Monica DeWitt in the Chili Cookoff has opened new doors for both the brewery and chili enthusiasts alike. Their collaboration showcased the incredible potential of infusing craft beer into culinary creations, sparking inspiration for future experimentation. This recognition will ignite interest in their unique offerings and inspire others to explore innovative flavor combinations.

The 43rd Annual Chili Cookoff in Ocean Beach will be remembered for California Wild Ales’ victory and Monica DeWitt’s impressive culinary skills. Their exceptional chili recipe, enriched by the infusion of California Wild Ales’ craft beers, earned them the prestigious gold medal. This win symbolizes the triumph of passion, dedication, and the spirit of collaboration. As the Ocean Beach community continues to celebrate this remarkable achievement, it is clear that California Wild Ales and Monica DeWitt have made their mark on the local culinary scene, inspiring others to push the boundaries of flavor exploration.

TWO-YEAR-Anniversary California Wild Ales

Two Year Anniversary in Ocean Beach

By cwa-blog, event

Two Year Anniversary

Celebrating Two Years of Flavor Exploration in Ocean Beach on May 27th

It’s been two incredible years since California Wild Ales opened its doors in the vibrant neighborhood of Ocean Beach, and the time has come to raise our glasses high in celebration. This milestone marks a journey of passion, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of crafting exceptional sour beers. As we reflect on our achievements, we invite you to join us in commemorating this momentous occasion.

Nestled amidst the stunning coastal scenery of Ocean Beach, California Wild Ales has become a hub for beer enthusiasts and flavor adventurers alike. Our tasting room has served as a gathering place for the community, a space where friends and strangers can connect over a shared love for unique and boundary-pushing brews.

To honor this special anniversary, we are proud to introduce a limited-edition beer, crafted exclusively for this occasion – the “Up the Hill” Double Hazy IPA. This brew showcases our commitment to pushing the boundaries of flavor and providing an unforgettable experience for our patrons. “Up the Hill” is a testament to our dedication to innovation, as we blend the bold and hop-forward characteristics of a Double IPA with the hazy and juicy qualities that have captivated beer enthusiasts worldwide.

This anniversary brew bursts with a harmonious blend of tropical fruits, dank hops, and a subtle malt backbone that balances the intense hop profile. With each sip, you’ll discover layers of pineapple, passionfruit, and citrus dancing alongside the aromatic notes of fresh pine and resin. The velvety mouthfeel and smooth finish will leave you craving another pour of this enchanting libation.

Special Beer Release for Event

While “Up the Hill” is the centerpiece of our celebration, we have a lineup of other captivating wild ales that showcase our signature style. From oak barrel-aged sours to fruit-infused experiments, each sip tells a unique story that represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional brewing techniques.

Beyond just the brews, we are most proud of the warm and inviting atmosphere within our tasting room. The walls adorned with local artwork, the friendly and knowledgeable staff, and the communal tables all contribute to the sense of belonging that patrons experience when they walk through our doors. It is this sense of community that has been the driving force behind our success, and we are eternally grateful to the people who have supported us on this incredible journey.

As we raise our glasses to toast these two incredible years, we extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers, friends, and partners who have been instrumental in making California Wild Ales a beloved destination in the heart of Ocean Beach. Your passion and enthusiasm fuel our desire to continue crafting remarkable brews and exploring the uncharted territory of flavor.

Join us at California Wild Ales as we celebrate this remarkable milestone. Indulge in the unique and captivating flavors that have become synonymous with our name, and let us take you on a journey through the world of sour beers like no other. Together, we will raise our glasses to the past, revel in the present, and embrace the exciting future that lies ahead. Cheers to two years of California Wild Ales in Ocean Beach!

May the 4th Be With You - California Wild Ales - Star Wars Celebration

May the Fourth Be With You – 2023

By cwa-blog, event

May the Fourth Be With You!

On May the 4th, California Wild Ales will host a Star Wars-themed event, featuring a variety of craft beers with Star Wars-inspired names, including Darth Citrius, Chewboocha, Jabba the Hopp, and Juicy Jedi IPA.

This event will bring together fans of both Star Wars and craft beer in a festive and laid-back atmosphere, embodying the spirit of Ocean Beach. Attendees can enjoy the themed beers and decorations, as well as a costume contest and limited edition Star Wars-themed merch.

“We’re thrilled to be able to combine two of our passions, Star Wars and craft beer, into one event,” says co-founder Zack Brager. “It’s always exciting to see our customers get into the spirit of the day, whether it’s through their costumes or their choice of beer. We’re already looking forward to planning next year’s celebration.”

This year’s May the 4th celebration is expected to draw in Star Wars fans and beer lovers from all over the San Diego area.

“As a small, independent brewery, we’re always looking for ways to connect with our customers and create a sense of community,” says co-founder Bill DeWitt. “Events like these allow us to not only showcase our love for craft beer and Star Wars, but also to bring people together and create lasting memories. It’s what we love to do, and we can’t wait for the next opportunity to share our passion with our customers.”

If you miss out on the May the 4th celebration at California Wild Ales, make sure to follow us on social media or sign up for their newsletter to stay up-to-date on all their latest events and offerings. Whether you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan or simply a lover of great beer, California Wild Ales will be a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a unique and memorable experience.

May the force be with you, and we hope to see you at the next California Wild Ales event!

California Wild Ales - May the 4th

SD Beer Week 202

By cwa-blog, event

14th Annual SD Beer Week

San Diego County, California, has been called “the Craft Beer Capital of America”.  San Diego County is home to over 150 craft breweries – which is the most of any county in the United States.

So when San Diego does BEER WEEK… we go all out!

We know you have a ton of beer to choose from (predominantly IPAs) but we hope you make some time to sip on sours with your friends at California Wild Ales.

We are excited to be hosting SDBW at our Ocean Beach location!

Join us November 4-12 as we pack our taps with tons of new beers over the 9 days of SD Beer Week.

The lineup of Beer Releases

14 Mile Drive IPA – November 4

Grapes of Wrath – November 5

  • Nebbiolo Piquette, 5% ABV
  • San Genovese, 5% ABV
  • Zinfandel, 5% ABV
  • Cabernet Franc, 5% ABV
  • Sangria Blend, 5% ABV

Bourbon Peach Cobbler – November 6

Peach Cobbler Pastry Sour aged in freshly emptied Bourbon Barrels

Dark Sour and Saison Night – November 7

  • Double Barrel-Aged Dark Sour, 11% ABV – Bourbon Barrl-Aged for 12 Months and then transferred into a Maple Bourbon Barrel
  • Diabolical Saison, 7.2% ABV – This farmhouse-style Saison has an ester spice taste and supreme dryness.

Tom Yum Sour and Soup Night – November 8

Join us for a delicious bowl of Soi OB’s Tom Yum Soup and wash it down with an ice-cold Tom Yum Sour.  CWA has joined forces with local Thai restaurant Soi OB to create a genuinely WILD collaboration. Introducing Tom Yum Sour, made with Thai chilies, Kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and toasted coconut. 

Dark Sour and Saison Night – November 9

Hoppy Pale Ale Collaboration brew between CWA, Thorn Street Brewing, and Amplified Aleworks.  Beer release and RPS competition.

Ro Sham Bo Collab Brew – November 10

Hoppy Pale Ale Collaboration brew between CWA, Thorn Street Brewing, and Amplified Aleworks.  Beer release and RPS competition.

Cocktail Night – November 11

  • Blood Orange Margarita Wild Ale, 5% ABV
  • Mojito Wild Ale, 5% ABV

Michelada Flights – November 12

San Diego’s Best Michelada served 5 ways!

  • Bike Lane Lager served with a Lime Wedge
  • Salted Cucumber served with a Cucumber Slice
  • Pickle Rick served with a Pickle Slice
  • Blood Orange Margarita served with Orange Slice
  • Gose with a Tajin Rim

Who’s Ready to Get Funky?

We are proud to be San Diego’s only all barrel-aged sour house and we are constantly striving to bring you new funky brews.  We are honored to be a part of such a thriving San Diego craft beer scene.

As always we keep 10 sours on tap at our tasting room.  If you are looking to take your tastebuds on a funky adventure … stop by and taste what you’ve been missing.

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest-2022 - California Wild Ales

OB Oktoberfest Special Beer Release

By cwa-blog, event

2oth Annual OB Oktoberfest

Ocean Beach, where Newport meets the beach, will host San Diego’s WILDEST Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 7 & Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.  

As part of the event, we are releasing four new fall-inspired wild ales to coincide with this neighborhood extravaganza, including a German Chocolate Cake Dark Sour, Sour Apple Pie, Liquid Pumpkin Pie, and SourKraut. We create these unique seasonal flavors only once a year, and this year we are bringing back some old flavors and introducing two new ones this Oktoberfest season.

Ocean Beach is a magical place that hosts a handful of neighborhood parties yearly; Oktoberfest is one of the biggest. There will be fantastic music, delicious food, and of course…beer! We hope these funky flavors will inspire craft beer lovers to don their lederhosen or dirndl dresses and join us in OB.

There will be a lot of activities in OB this weekend so make sure you do not miss out on these truly unique beers because we have a limited supply, and when they are gone, they are gone.

 

We always look forward to the OB neighborhood parties and want to make something unique this year. This event is a fun way to release some beers with familiar flavors that reflect the season and give people a taste of something new and different

Special Beer Release for Event

  • German Chocolate Cake Wild Ale: Dark sour aged in whiskey barrels for 12 months and rested on whole Madagascar vanilla bean, Saigon cinnamon, toasted coconut, candied pecans, and semi-sweet chocolate.
  • Sour Apple Pie: Golden sour aged in oak barrels for a year and rested in Cosmic Crisp apples, Saigon cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, clove, and other spices.
  • Liquid Pumpkin Pie: Golden sour aged in oak barrels for 12 months and rested brown sugar-roasted pumpkin and a bevy of spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, clove, and vanilla. 
  • SourKraut: This barrel-aged salty Gose-style beer features fresh red cabbage, caraway seed, Malden sea salt, and black peppercorns resulting in a pickle-like sour/salty combination perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest.

It’s okay if sour beer isn’t your thing; we have 16 beers on tap, including those that we created for Oktoberfest. 

This year’s OB Oktoberfest will feature plenty of action at California Wild Ales, located at 4896 Newport Avenue. There are a lot of activities in OB this weekend, but make sure you do not miss out on these truly unique beers. California Wild Ales creates these beers once a year, and when they are gone, they are gone.

bike-lane-header

Bike Lane Lager Can Release

By cwa-blog, news

Our Bike Lane Lager is out in the WILD!

Finally, our first cans of fresh beer are on the market and available in specialty bottle shops and liquor stores around San Diego. We are beyond excited to introduce our Bike Lane Lager.

Here at California Wild Ales, we are known primarily for our barrel-aged sours. However, we have steadily been working away to create some fresh “beer-flavored” beers. We knew right away that the first beer we wanted to make was a crisp lager. Beers of this type have a lower alcohol content and are perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day. So, after lots of sampling and working through a handful of recipes, we settled on a German-style wheat lager.

Our Bike Lane Lager features German Pilsner, malted wheat, and noble hops, including Hallertau Blanc, Magnum, and Saaz. This blend of hops imparts a clean and crisp flavor. Though relatively mild and delicate, Saaz hops impart a distinctly earthy and herbal flavor to the beer that has come to define the Lager.  As a result of this blend of wheat and hops, the beer has a little extra body and takes on a herbaceous aroma and taste that awakens the palate.

Despite being California Wild Ales’ most straightforward beer to drink, Bike Lane Lager is one of the most difficult ones to make. “We need to ensure technical perfection from everyone on the team, from the brewhouse to the lab. You’re working with a bright, transparent canvas brewing a lager or a pilsner beer, and every fault will be obvious.” co-founder Zack Brager said. So we teamed up with our close friend, Samantha Olson, head brewer at Mujeres Brew House, to ensure perfection with this recipe. We also enlisted our friends at Rouleur Brewing Company to help oversee the brew at their Carlsbad location.

After lagering our beer for nearly five weeks, our Bike Lane Lager was ready for the wild. Finally, what was once only available at our tasting room is now available to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Our Bike Lane Lager is packaged in 16oz cans and available in four-packs. California Wild Ales co-founder Bill DeWitt creates all their label designs and really knocked it out of the park this time. DeWitt said, “I wanted to make this label an homage to local Ocean Beach icon Ricky, who can be seen riding his penny-farthing bike all around town. This funky style of bicycle seemed like the perfect vehicle to include on our packaging for Bike Lane Lager.”

Pick up some to share at the beach, BBQ, or poolside!

So stop by either their Sorrento Valley or Ocean Beach location to enjoy a bright and crisp lager on tap. And pick up a few four-packs while you are there. Otherwise, keep a lookout on shelves around San Diego for California Wild Ales’ Bike Lane Lager.

passion-raspberry california wild ales

Double Bottle Release

By cwa-blog, event

Small Batch Release

Bottling up a wild-fermented beer is a remarkable thing. Still teeming with live yeast and bacteria, it will continue to evolve. When the pandemic hit, packaged beer was the name of the game. We started bottling everything to make sure we could get as much beer to our fans as possible. We have decided to be far more selective with what we put into bottles now that the pandemic. These selections will be minimal, some as low as only 30 bottles.

The highlight of this sale is the Raspberry Passion, a beer we thought so highly of we entered it into the World Beer Cup competition. Every year we get fresh passion fruit donated by the locals of ocean beach. This year’s batch was spectacular, exploding with the unique tropical flavor. There was enough of it, so pull just 30 gallons aside to play with, then it was a matter of finding the right fruit to pair. After some discussion, we settled on raspberries, and we could not be happier with the result. This beer explodes with a unique blend of tropical notes and bright berry flavor with just the perfect amount of acidity, a sweet tart in a bottle.

Only about 20 bottles remain, so grab them while you can. 

This month, the second release results from a relationship with a new local San Diego County farm called Dickinson Family Farms in Fallbrook. The first three fruit we acquired from them were Persimmons, Guavas, and Meyer Lemons, so we decided, along with some of the fresh OB Passion Fruit, we would make a fruit salad, and the result was magical. The citrus blends perfectly with the tropical flavors of the Passion Fruit and guava with the rich, sweet, almost honey-like flavor of the persimmon rounding the whole mix out and adding body. This combo was a true treat that we will keep in our back pocket for next year.

Only 70 of these bottles are around, so don’t miss out.

Dark Sour Night - California Wild Ales - San Diego Beer Week

Barrel-Aged Dark Sour Night!

By cwa-blog, event

Dark Sours are Flowing at CWA!

It’s happening today, November 13th! Join us as we tap two of our Barrel-Aged Dark Sours. This will be the first time we have shared our dark sours with anyone outside our bottle club. So if you love dark sour beer and a funky good time, then this is the perfect day for you to visit California Wild Ales.

Our Double Barrel-Aged Dark Sour is aged for 12 months in a freshly emptied Bourbon Barrel. We then transferred this glorious liquid into a freshly emptied Maple Bourbon Barrel that previously held Modern Times Monster’s Park. We then gave it an additional six months of rest. The various spirit barrels bring a new life to this beer. As this beer conditions for months, it incorporates some of the bourbon and stout characteristics. Dominated by dark fruit aromas and flavors, the underlying chocolate notes give this way to a tart berry finish.

Next up is our Winner Winner Liquid Dinner! Again, we took our Dark Sour and aged it in freshly emptied Bourbon Barrels for 12 months. We then rested this splendid sour liquid on fresh California Cherries for an additional three months. Flavors of tart cherry, oak, and roastiness undeniably meld together with a punch of sour goodness.  

Open today at noon. So come on in, and let’s get the weekend started in style,

This is going to be an excellent introduction to dark sours. Please join us at either our Sorrento Valley or Ocean Beach location to experience our very first Dark Sour Night.

Lineup for SD Beer Week

We are proud to be San Diego’s only all barrel-aged sour house and we are constantly striving to bring you new funky brews.  We are honored to be a part of such a thriving San Diego craft beer scene.

We are stoked for this year’s San Diego Beer Week and we hope you can come out and celebrate with us!

ongemang-wine-blend-sour

Grapes of Wrath – A Wine Grape / Sour Beer Experience

By cwa-blog, event

Wine Grapes and Sour Beer … Best Friends

Join us this Friday, November 12, as we tap four new wine grape sours in honor of San Diego Beer Week. We are absolutely obsessed with our Wine Grape Sours, and we are excited to share them with the craft beer community.

We will feature four wine grape sour ales.

Viognier (“Vee-on-yeah”) Piquette
Viognier grape hast the scent of Honeysuckle and Jasmine and the rich flavors of Apricot and Peach. Ripening in warm sunshine, this beer is quite heady and exotic with spicy undertones of Gingerbread and plenty of body.

Petite Sirah Wild Ale
Petite Sirah grape has a deep color violet color and bold tannins. Fruit is the dominant flavor, with Plum and Blueberry being the most distinct. Additional flavors are Dark Chocolate, Pepper, and Black Tea.

Ongemang (“On-Je-Mang”) – Wine Grape Blend
The word Ongemang comes from Old English, which combines “in” and “mingling.” It has been described as “Exploring the spaces in between.” We felt like this was the perfect expression to represent our first blended wine grape sour made with a blend of Petite Sirah and Viognier grapes.

Echoes of Muscat
Echoes of Muscat Wild Ale are made in with fermented Muscat grape pomace that we got from our friends at Charlie Echo Wine.   These grapes have a musky aroma, sweet, honeyed flavor, and rich fruit and floral notes.

This is going to be an excellent introduction to the world of wine-grape sours. Please join us at either our Sorrento Valley or Ocean Beach location to experience the Grapes of Wrath.

We are proud to be San Diego’s only all barrel-aged sour house and we are constantly striving to bring you new funky brews.  We are honored to be a part of such a thriving San Diego craft beer scene.

We are stoked for this year’s San Diego Beer Week and we hope you can come out and celebrate with us!

Our Sorrento Valley location has ten sours on tap as well as a crushable lager.  If you make your way to Ocean Beach you can enjoy ten sours on tap, four beer-flavored beers, and a hard yerba mate.  If you are looking to take your tastebuds on a funky adventure … stop by and taste what you’ve been missing.

Lineup for SD Beer Week
stonefruit-frenzy-california-wild-ales

Stone Fruit Frenzy

By cwa-blog, event

Join Us for Some Stone Fruit Sours

Stone Fruit & Sour Beer…is there anything better? We don’t think so. That’s why for this year’s San Diego Beer Week, we are tapping three delicious stone fruit beers. Ocean Peach, Del Mar Nectarine, and Salted Plum.

Ocean Peach Wild Ale

We started with our golden ale that we aged 12 months in oak barrels to produce tart flavors, fruity notes, and a funky character. We then added a ridiculous amount of Ocean Beach peaches to our golden sour base.

Del Mar Peach

We reached out to our good friend Eric for some of his homegrown nectarines, and man, are we glad we did. These nectarines are bursting with stone fruit deliciousness. We added these beauties to our barrel-aged golden sour and let them sit for around three months. The result speaks for itself… you have to try this one.

Salted Plum

For our third beer of the frenzy, we found some over-ripe plums that were begging to become beer. We took these plums and gave them the love they deserved. We rested them on barrel-aged golden sour for six months. We then added a healthy amount of Maldon Sea Salt. The salty and sour combination will leave you thirsting for more.

Every one of these beers was made with a ridiculous amount of Stone Fruit…almost 3 pounds per gallon. Taste the difference that a ton of fruit imparts!

Available for a short time!

We are proud to be San Diego’s only all barrel-aged sour house and we are constantly striving to bring you new funky brews.  We are honored to be a part of such a thriving San Diego craft beer scene.

We are stoked for this year’s San Diego Beer Week and we hope you can come out and celebrate with us!

Our Sorrento Valley location has ten sours on tap as well as a crushable lager.  If you make your way to Ocean Beach you can enjoy ten sours on tap, four beer-flavored beers, and a hard yerba mate.  If you are looking to take your tastebuds on a funky adventure … stop by and taste what you’ve been missing.

Lineup for SD Beer Week