St. Patrick's Day Beer Crawl to be held for second year in a row

(Originally published in the 3/8/16 edition)

   St. Patrick’s Day isn’t until next week, but you can get a head start on the festivities Saturday by visiting downtown Benicia businesses.

   Benicia Main Street will be holding its second annual St. Patricks Day Beer Crawl where participants can pay a small fee to sample craft brews at participating businesses. Administrative assistant Susie Harper said Benicia Main Street was looking for another event to do in March besides the annual chili cook-off. The first St. Patrick’s Day Beer Crawl turned out to be a huge success. 

   “It sold out and was very popular,” Harper said. 

   The winning outcome of the first event meant a second was inevitable. Once again, participants will be given a sampling glass, map of participating businesses and identification wristband upon purchasing tickets. From there, they can sample some of the finest craft brews from the Bay Area and beyond. Among the brews to be served are Irish staples like Guinness Stout, craft beer titans like Samuel Adams’ Rebel IPA and Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA, and beers from local breweries like Lagunitas in Petaluma, Napa Smith Brewery in Napa and Heretic Brewery in Fairfield. Additionally, Benicia Main Street will be serving beer from Benicia’s very own Bruehol Brewing, which specializes in pale ales, German-style lagers and dark ales. 

   Other participating businesses include Jordan Real Estate, Studio 41, Bookshop Benicia, Dianna’s Bakery and Cafe, Dot’s Consignment, Leather & Lace, Tina Marie’s, Romancing the Home, Vintage Owl and more. The businesses will also be serving foods to pair with the beers like sandwiches and various finger foods.

   “The merchants do an excellent job with their pairings,” Harper said. 

   New this year will be a designated driver ticket. For $10, a ticket holder will be given a bottle of water and will be allowed to sample foods from the participating businesses. 

   Harper says this will be a good chance for participants to support Benicia businesses.

   “We’re excited for the customers to visit the merchants that are participating and increase their sales,” she said. “We hope they have a great time and spread the word.”

   The beer crawl will run from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 12 in downtown Benicia. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m., and participants must be 21 or older. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 the day of the event, and they can be purchased at Benicia Main Street, located at 90 First St. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information including a full listing of businesses and the beers they will be serving, visit BeniciaMainStreet.org.