Los Gatos Brewing Company Hosts ‘Firkin Fest’ this Weekend

Alongside picture perfect weather in the South Bay this weekend, Los Gatos Brewing Company hosts its third annual Firkin Fest on Saturday.

But first, you might be asking, “What the frick is a firkin?” LGBC’s website provides a definition:

“A firkin is a cask which holds nine imperial gallons. Firkins hold cask-conditioned beer. Cask is the container, and this was the original method of storing and serving beer.

“The beer’s ingredients are allowed to mature naturally in the firkin, leaving the beer unfiltered and containing live yeast. The living yeast conditions the beer through a process called secondary fermentation and produces the CO2 naturally.

“No artificial carbonation allows you to taste the true flavor of the beer. The beer is dispensed either by gravity or by a beer engine/hand pump.”

Firkin Fest is the brainchild of Los Gatos Brewing brewmaster Kent Wheat. The first two fests proved popular and were well attended, introducing many to a wide range of beer styles as well as the intricate qualities of cask-conditioned beer or “real ale.” As in past years, expect many of the brewers to be on hand to answer any questions about their creations.

There are over 16 breweries scheduled to participate, including:

Los Gatos Brewing Company
Seabright Brewery (Santa Cruz)
Rock Bottom Brewery (Campbell)
Faultline Brewery (Sunnyvale)
Firehouse Brewery (Sunnyvale)
Strike Brewing Co. (San Jose)
Hermitage Brewing Co. (San Jose)
Tied House Brewery (Mountain View)
Santa Clara Valley Brewing (San Jose)
Rabbit’s Foot Meadery (Sunnyvale)
Red Branch Cider Co. (Sunnyvale)
Campbell Brewing Co.
El Toro Brewing Co. (Morgan Hill)
Drake’s (San Leandro)
Firestone Walker (Paso Robles)
Freewheel Brewing Co. (Redwood City)
Two Rivers Cider Co. (Sacramento)
Discretion Brewing (Santa Cruz)

Tickets for the Firkin Fest can be purchased online. Admission is $35 (plus fees) for unlimited tastings, a 5 oz. souvenir glass and a pretzel necklace.

For more information, visit the event page.

What: 3rd Annual Los Gatos Brewing Company Firkin Fest
When: Sat., June 14, 12pm-4pm
Where: 163 W Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113

[This post was shared on SanJose.com.]