If Instagram is the new Facebook, then April 7 is the new Cinco de Mayo, as that’s when the KLOS Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival returns to Doheny Beach in Dana Point. ¡Arriba!
This will be my first time at Sabroso, and I’m looking forward to the beachside setting. I’m practicing my taco grip and prepping to double-fist tasters of 150 craft beers from 50 local breweries. Among them is All-American Ale Works, whose Liberty or Death peanut butter porter will stick to the roof of your mouth! Docent Brewing’s Double Nickel pale ale was inspired by the late D. Boon of the Minutemen. #RESPECT. Left Coast Brewing just released Blonde Marvel at the Angels’ Opening Day that’s also perfect for a craft-beer fest! Tustin Brewery’s Red Hill red ale and Old Town IPA always hit the spot, but I’m predicting its brewers will win gold for the Portola Breakfast Stout at this year’s World Beer Cup.
Our 2017 pick for Best Brewery, Chapman Crafted Beer, will be pouring the West Coast IPA As It Should Be; Slow Riser (Nitro), a red ale-and-coffee collaboration; the dry stout No Modifications; and Orange Plaza Pale, an unfiltered pale ale.
Don’t forget your stretchy pants because you’ll pair your favorite brews with offerings from Chicana Vegana, Panchos Tacos, Good Fellas Taco Catering and Chronic Tacos, then cool off with a treat from Coned Ice Cream.
As you stroll, you’ll enjoy live music from headliners the Offspring (front man Dexter Holland’s Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce is among the sponsors), as well as Pennywise, the Vandals, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Unwritten Law, and Los Kung Fu Monkeys. Chapman Crafted sales rep Shawn Higginbotham says he grew up an Offspring fan and is looking forward to their performance. Also look for the lucha libre-style matches held throughout the day; I, for one, might go full Nacho Libre! NACHOOOO!!
The event, brought to you by Brew Ha Ha Productions and Synergy Global Entertainment, benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire and the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association. VIP tickets were sold out as of press time, but you may still be able to snag general admission. The festival will then move on to Sacramento, Denver, Albuquerque, Tucson, Auburn and Portland. You won’t want to miss it. Tacos + craft beer + music = sabroso
KLOS Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival at Doheny Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point; sabrosotacofest.com. Sat., 1 p.m. $75.50-$85.50. 21+.
