South Bay Beer Events: Mon., June 17, 2013 – South Bay Hop Heads Tasting at Wine Affairs and California Cafe Los Gatos Beer Dinner

A couple of great South Bay beer events are taking place this Monday evening, June 17, 2013.

Wine Affairs hosts weekly Monday beer tastings that focus on a particular brewery or theme. As their recent newsletter indicates, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Monday, Wine Affairs presents a “South Bay Hop Heads” tasting featuring hop-centric beers from Hermitage Brewing Company, Strike Brewing Company, and the new Santa Clara Valley Brewing. This tasting event is $10 per person or free for beer club members.

Their Facebook event page introduces the beer tasting lineup:

Bottles:

Hermitage Ale of the Imp – Craft brewed in small batches with tons of hops. This will make you silly with happiness, like the jester on the bottle. The hop types remain a secret, but wouldn’t you expect that from a hermit?

Strike Brewing IPA – A generously hopped, highly drinkable beer, perfect for the devoted hop head. Glowing a nice golden hue, dry hopping adds the characteristic deep hop aroma.

Kegs:

Hermitage Single Hop Citra – West Coast in style and aggressively hopped, this Single Hop IPA showcases “Citra” and its lemon, peach, tropical fruity flavors.

Hermitage Single Hop Magnum – Our Magnum IPA showcases the trademark bitterness of the variety at about 70 IBUs, but doesn’t stop there. Our hearty dry hopping lends a beautifully sweet, fruity aroma almost like juicy fruit gum, with evergreen notes reminiscent of pine or maybe fir trees.

Santa Clara Valley Brewing Electric Tower IPA – Built in 1881 to showcase the electrification of the west, San Jose’s Electric Light Tower stood for over 30 years as a shining star above the Santa Clara Valley. Our Electric Tower IPA re-imagines this icon as an intensely West Coast Style IPA. A firm malt base builds support for the abundance of hops, allowing hints of pine, citrus and tropical fruit to shine through and light up your palate.

Notes: Strike Brewing Stout (bottles) also available. And an additional Hermitage keg to be determined.

Also on Monday, California Cafe in Los Gatos will host their next food-and-beer pairing event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Petaluma-based Lagunitas Brewing Company is the featured brewery, and executive chef Leo Lopez has planned a mouthwatering menu that is available on their website:

First Course: Fanny Bay Oyster Shooters
– habanero mignonette, lime segments, micro cilantro
– Lagunitas IPA

Second Course: Dungeness Crab Cake
– lemon aioli, fennel, pickled breakfast radish
– Lagunitas New Dogtown Pale Ale

Third Course: Braised Short Rib
– yukon potato puree, ginger glazed baby carrots
– Lagunitas Maximus DIPA

Dessert Course: Peach Galette
– vanilla bean gelato, salted caramel sauce
– Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut-Down American Strong Ale

The cost of this dinner is $45 per person, not including taxes and gratuity. Call (408) 354-8300 or email losgatosevents@californiacafe.com to make a reservation.

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]