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Check out these 5 beer events happening in Fresno this fall

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JoAnn Hallum

Houseplant killing optimist- freelance writer -kid herder

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“Mmmmm beer…” 
         – Homer J. Simpson

Is there a better way to welcome the coming of fall than with a drink with friends? There are lots of fun ways to enjoy a glass of craft beer this fall in Fresno, and I’ve compiled a handy list for you. From polka to taco trucks to lederhosen, there’s fun for everyone!

fall beer events

1. Fig Garden Village Wine Walk & Craft Beer Tasting

Do you like to drink for a good cause? Habitat for Humanity Fresno County is joining the merchants of Fig Garden to host this event. Tickets are on sale now for $30 (prices go up at the door) for this event, which takes place Sept. 20 from 5-8 p.m. There will be over 50 wines on hand as well as 8 craft beers. Food will be provided from restaurants in the Village and you’ll be able to check out sales in the shopping center. You can buy tickets here and find out more on their event page. You can also pick up tickets at We Olive Fresno and The Elbow Room.

fall beer events2. Sudz in the City

On Sept. 22 at Cultural Arts District Park, Sudz in the City will bring you unlimited samplings. There are 32 breweries involved (and a margarita bar!) so you’re guaranteed to have great variety. This event also includes live music from Lucky Lopez and Blink 180 True (to name a few), and food trucks will be on hand in case you get hungry. This event runs from 2-7 p.m. and tickets are available here. It’s a great way to hang out downtown and enjoy great beer. For more information, check out the event Facebook page here.

fall beer events

3. Tioga-Sequoia Oktoberfest 

Downtown Fresno is going to be hopping in September (get it?!). On Sept. 22 from 12-11 p.m. you can visit the Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. for Octoberfest. Featuring German food, German beer, and polka music, this is a more traditional take on the classic celebration. All ages are welcome and admission is free. You’re encouraged to dress up in your best lederhosen, so don’t forget to pull those suckers out of the back of your closet. If you’re looking for a family friendly event to drink great beer at, this is your event. For more information, click here.

fall beer events

4. HoPtoberfest

September is a great month for sampling all things German at House of Pendragon‘s Sanger, Clovis, and HoP PK locations. Starting on Sept. 22, you can purchase a 1-liter stein for $25 filled with any German-style beer. Then, when you bring your stein to a House of Pendragon tasting room from Sept. 22 to Oct. 7, you can fill it with MORE German beer for the price of a pint. So far ,the beers featured are a German Pilsner and Festbier, with more to come. Check out the HoPtoberfest 2018 Facebook page here.

fall beer events

5. Big Fresno Fair Craft Brew Fest

On Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. you can enjoy craft beer at the Fair. Inside the horse racing infield, check out over 30 craft breweries, listen to music, and play lawn games like cornhole. You can also place your bets on your favorite horse and sample fare from food trucks. Tickets are $45 in advance. Your ticket includes parking in the infield parking lot, admission to the fair, and a custom tasting cup. Learn more about this event here.

…

It’s safe to say there’s a lot of refreshing brews in FresYes, and this is the season to try them. The only difficult decision here is figuring out which events to attend (hint: probably all of them).

Tickets going on sale for Craft Brew Fest + Wine Festival at The Big Fresno Fair

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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Though summer is just beginning to bear down on us, many Fresnans are likely already looking forward to the start of one of our city’s favorite events—The Big Fresno Fair. Those working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure this year’s Fair continues to thrill and delight guests are excitedly preparing for the event as well, and they’ve shared with us some exciting news.

The Big Fresno Fair has announced not only the return of last year’s popular Craft Brew Fest, but the addition of the new Fall Wine Festival. Both events will serve as fundraisers for the Fair’s non-profit foundation, Friends of The Big Fresno Fair, in support of the Fair’s award-winning Fresno County Historical Museum. What’s really special and fun about both of these events (beyond the awesome local craft beer and wine selections) is that they take place inside the race track during live horse racing, providing attendees a unique view of the races while enjoying their beverages.

“As a Fair, it is our mission to provide entertainment options for everyone,” says Lauri King, Deputy Manager II, The Big Fresno Fair. “With the addition of the Craft Brew Fest last year, we catered to the wide array of craft beer enthusiasts in our area. We are excited to expand this event to give our wine enthusiasts something new and different to enjoy at the Fair—all while giving back to the community by supporting our Fresno County Historical Museum.”

Craft Brew Fest

Guests enjoying craft beer at last year’s Craft Brew Fest (Image via The Big Fresno Fair)

Craft Brew Fest

More than 30 craft breweries will offer tastings at this year’s event (Image via The Big Fresno Fair)

Craft Beer Fest offers chance to sample from 30 craft breweries

This year’s Craft Brew Fest will highlight over 30 craft breweries from throughout California and the nation, along with food trucks, music, and lawn games. New this year, the Fair has partnered with the Dawg Pound Cornhole League to hold a cornhole tournament. Attendees can register in advance here, as space is limited. The cost to compete is $15.

The event will also feature betting stations for the horse races, and screens will be added this year so wagerers can see the odds before placing their bets. The Craft Brew Fest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 2-5 p.m.

Craft Brew Fest

Fall Wine Festival features California wineries

Given the success of the Craft Brew Fest in 2017, the Fair decided to move forward with its idea of holding a wine festival, as well. The Fall Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, also inside the race track. Like the Craft Beer Fest, it will feature betting stations, music, and food trucks. The event will also include olive oil tasting from the Fair’s San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition gold medal winners, art and luxury car displays, and shopping boutiques to create a unique experience for attendees.

The Fair has partnered with the San Joaquin Valley Wine Growers Association to bring in more than 30 wineries from the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast for attendees to sample, enjoy, and learn more about.

Craft Brew Fest

Tickets go on sale in July

Ticket prices for these two events are $50 (per event) for an all-inclusive ticket (includes event, fair admission, VIP Parking); $35 for event-only ticket; and $25 for designated driver ticket. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $60, so you can save by purchasing in advance.

Tickets will go on sale exclusively to Big Fair Fan Club (the Fair’s free email newsletter) members first, on Tuesday, July 10, at 9 a.m. until Sunday, July 15, at 11:59 p.m. During this time, every ticket purchaser will be entered to win a $100 betting voucher. A winner will be selected from both Craft Brew Fest and Fall Wine Festival ticket purchasers. You can easily become a part of the Big Fair Fan Club and gain early ticket access by signing up here.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, July 16, at 9 a.m. A limited number of tickets will be sold to both events.

For more details on the Craft Brew Fest, please visit: http://bit.ly/BFFCraftBrew

For more details on the Fall Wine Festival, please visit: http://bit.ly/FallWineFestival

Craft Brew Fest

Make it a social event and invite your friends to enjoy the Craft Brew Fest with you! (Image via The Big Fresno Fair)

About The Big Fresno Fair and Fresno County Historical Museum

The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the fifth largest fair in the state of California and represents the 21st District Agricultural Association. More than 600,000 people from throughout the state visit The Big Fresno Fair each year, making it the largest event in the Central Valley. The 2018 Big Fresno Fair will run Oct. 3-14.

The Fresno County Historical Museum is located within the fairgrounds and is open to visitors year-round. This unique, 14,000 square foot, two-story museum preserves Fresno County’s rich history with displays encompassing agriculture, sports, public safety and military memorabilia, and so much more. View historical artifacts and cultural exhibits downstairs and learn about key local figures upstairs. Guided listening tours are available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Learn more about the Fresno County Historical Museum here, then call (559) 650-FAIR to schedule a tour.

 

HoP PK is the love child of beer and Mediterranean food

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Craig Scharton

I’m a weirdo. I’m a downtown revitalization, old neighborhood, old houses weirdo.

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Chafic Dada and Tommy Caprelian met at a Visalia craft beer event in 2013. Chafic was part of a Visalia family that had opened three Mediterranean restaurants that all featured craft beer. Tommy was from Sanger and had just started making beer commercially—in fact, this was the first event he had brought his beer to.

The two entrepreneurs quickly decided that someday they would partner together on a venture that would combine both of their concepts.

HOP PK

HoP PK is located in downtown Fresno across from the Spiral Parking Garage. It’s a great place to grab some food before a Grizzlies or Fresno Football Club event.

HOP PK

HoP PK = House of Pendragon + Pita Kabob

The history

The Dada family had opened Pita Kabob in an old car mechanic shop in downtown Visalia. They were developing a style of Mediterranean food that was an incredible mash-up of traditional pub food with a Lebanese twist (or is it the other way around?). They’d come a long way from the original 1,000 square foot deli that Chafic’s parents had started. His mom began cooking authentic food at home and bringing it to the deli on Fridays. This became so popular they built a commercial kitchen and never looked back.

Tommy Caprelian and House of Pendragon are both products of Sanger. He started his path toward making beer in 2006 and expanded to a brew pub in Clovis, a tasting room at his brewery in Sanger, and now the partnership with HoP PK (this stands for House of Pendragon and Pita Kabob). Prior to opening his own brewery, he worked as the Assistant Brewmaster and was in charge of Quality Control for Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. Good breweries always produce great alumni, who continue to grow the craft beer scene. The folks at Tioga-Sequoia are proud of Tommy’s success and they partner together often.

HOP PK

The interior of HoP PK features the downtown Fresno skyline.

The restaurant

HoP PK is located at 820 Van Ness Ave., across from the Spiral Parking Garage. The interior of the restaurant is completely renovated. There is a wonderful wood sculpture of many of downtown Fresno’s iconic buildings. There are comfortable booths, or you can sit at the bar or one of the long community tables. They also have a second floor that can accommodate up to 100 people for private events and parties.

Although HoP PK features House of Pendragon beer, they also have other local beers as well as interesting beers from throughout the west coast. They have specialty beers like sours and saisons, alongside dark beers, lighter pilsners, and lagers. There are 32 taps and you can order a flight of House of Pendragon beer to find the one that you love.

HOP Pk

You can get a flight featuring House of Pendragon beers.

HOP PK

Hoppy Hour specials!

The food

The food is incredible. Chafic has a great way of designing a menu to match the wide variety of craft beers. He spends much of his time in the kitchen to make sure that the quality stays high.

The Shawarma Fries are a huge hit. I’m a big fan of the Jerusalem Falafel Pita Wrap. The Mediterranean Flatbread is so good you’ll finish the whole thing in one sitting. And their Pita Chips with either Cilantro-Jalapeño Hummus or Garlic Dip are fresh and delicious, and will be perfect for a casual time sitting at the bar. Finish the night with some baklava—I love the pistachio option.

HoP PK

Along with the traditional choices of lamb, beef and chicken, they also feature vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. They have wine, too!

Hours

HoP PK is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (later on ArtHop nights—which is this Thursday!), and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.). They are now open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit their website here, and make sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Don’t miss these craft beer events coming up in March

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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If you’re a craft beer fan in the Fresno area, you’re going to love the month of March!

In order to give you time to round up the posse and plan for safe driving arrangements, I present to you a roundup of three awesome craft beer events taking place in the upcoming month. Mark your calendars now!

craft beer events

March is a great month to be a craft beer fan in Fresno or Clovis!

Craft Beer Crawl 2018

When: Sunday, March 11, from 2-5:30 p.m.

Where: Pollasky Ave., Old Town Clovis 

Breweries expected: Firestone Walker, Ballast Point, Riley’s, Zone 9, Mad Duck, Temblor, San Joaquin Warthogs, and more.

Cost: $35/person, with tickets available in advance on Eventbrite.

What to expect: Food trucks and live music will make the day extra festive. This is a 21+ event, and it will happen rain or shine. Typically, this event does sell out, so it is advisable you purchase tickets early.

Follow for details and updates: Facebook event page

craft beer events

The Roar & Pour is the only beer tasting event that can also offer you a view like this! Pictured: Chaffee Zoo’s African Adventure and Kopje Lodge

Roar & Pour Spring Beer Festival

When: Friday, March 16, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s Kopje Lodge

Breweries expected: Mad Duck, Tioga-Sequioa, Lagunitas, Firestone, Southgate, Tactical Ops, and more

Cost: $40 for zoo members, $45 for non-members if purchased in advance, $50 for non-members purchasing on the day of the event. Buy tickets online here.

What to expect: Enjoy live music by Eva Scow, Patrick Contreras, and First Gear Band after hours at the zoo! Included in your ticket is a commemorative glass and unlimited tastings. Food will be available for purchase from the Kopje Lodge.

This is the only craft beer event that will not only provide you with awesome music and brews, but also amazing views of lions, gazelles, zebras, and more as you overlook the African Adventure exhibit while you enjoy your tastings.

Follow for details and updates: Facebook event page

craft beer events

Pups & Suds: A Night in the Garden

When: Sunday, March 25, from 5-8 p.m.

Where: Gazebo Gardens, 3204 Van Ness, Fresno

Cost: $20/person at the entrance. Includes one non-alcoholic beverage, dinner, and raffle tickets

What to expect: This event benefits the Fresno Humane Society and funds raised will go towards medical treatments and surgeries needed by local pups. Your own pup is welcome to accompany you (on a leash) to this fun event featuring beer and wine from Gazebo Garden’s Beer Garden as well as tacos from award-winning El Premio Mayor, delicious Indian fare from Ganesh Masala, and tasty frozen desserts from Sno Café. Live music will be provided by DJ Rey, and adorable, adoptable furry friends will be showcased throughout the evening.

Follow for details and updates: Facebook event page

Beer crawl focuses on local brews

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Valerie Shelton

Caffeine addict - karaoke queen - dachshund mommy - writing machine

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When I attended the first Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl in April 2015, my big takeaway at the time was that the local breweries that participated—Tioga-Sequoia, Tactical Ops Brewing, Riley’s Brewing and Three Monkey’s Brewing—really brought their A-game. And from the size of the crowd, the popularity of craft beer was skyrocketing in the Valley.

Fast forward to last Sunday’s most recent beer crawl. In just three short years, the event has transformed into an all-local craft beer festival with 11 microbreweries participating, all hailing from the Central Valley.

Beer crawl

A line of craft beer crawlers wait to sample brews from Mad Duck Brewing inside the Fifth Street Antique Mall.

With the least distance to travel, Zone 9 Brewing Co., which just opened its taproom on Tollhouse and Sunnyside in Clovis eight short weeks ago, brought ice-cold kegs of their increasingly favored stone beer—an American hefeweizen brewed with local stone fruit—and a rich chocolate chip stout.

Sean Wolfe, one of four enthusiastic co-owners of Zone 9, said the brewery makes it a priority to use local hops when possible, as well as locally grown fruits and other ingredients. In fact, Zone 9 is named after the growing zone in the Fresno area.

Beer crawl

Zone 9 Brewing serves up some Stone ale and Chocolate Chip Stout samples.

“We’re your hyper-local nanobrewery,” Wolfe said. Zone 9’s other niche is perfecting recipes to ensure their brews are hazy in coloration. While they all achieve this, each beer has its own flavor profile. For Wolfe, a man who likes his hops, it’s all about the 5 Diamond IPA, one of the beers Zone 9 brewers have been making the longest. But lately, he said, it’s all about the stone fruit-inspired brews.

Indeed, fruitier beers were on full display Sunday and I was thankful for the refreshment they provided during the 100 plus-degree heat.

A couple of my favorites traveled the longest distance—all the way from Bakersfield. These fruit-forward beers were a blood orange Belgian-style witbier and a blueberry hefeweizen from Temblor Brewing Company. This was the first time I had heard of Temblor and was immediately impressed with the two out of four offerings I tried. Odds are the brewery was new to a lot of other crawlers, since this was Temblor’s first time at the Clovis event.

Beer crawl

Temblor Brewing traveled all the way from Bakersfield to let Fresnans try their beers.

“Carole Lester [of B.O.O.T.] contacted us and we decided to come out,” Temblor sales representative Andrew Edquist said. And it’s no wonder the brewery was invited. In just two short years, Temblor has already established its brewery/restaurant/concert and event venue inside a sprawling 14,000 square-foot facility, which was once home to a Costco.

Temblor was equipped with four of its brews on tap to sample—Under a Blood Orange Sky, a Belgian witbier; Naïve Melody Blueberry Hefeweizen; Streets of Bakersfield IPA; and Pierce Road Oatmeal Stout. I sipped the first two and was amazed at the blood orange and blueberry flavors. A Secret Garden, where Temblor set up shop, smelled of that blueberry the second you walked through the door, and it tasted as great as it smelled.

Beer crawl

Pink Heels volunteers Jody Mize and Alexis Webb serve up adult root beer floats featuring Riley’s Brewing’s hard root beer.

“The blueberry hefeweizen is pretty unique,” Edquist said. “It is a seasonal beer that we made as an experiment with our hefeweizen and the blueberries made it darker in color and the tannins of the blueberries made it a little more bitter.”

Under a Blood Orange Sky is one of Temblor’s headliners and a customer favorite. It tastes somewhat similar to Blue Moon or Shock Top, but more fresh and crisp.

Also debuting at the craft beer crawl were the hotly anticipated 411 Ales and Spirits Brewery, which will be opening up a taproom along downtown Fresno’s new ale trail soon, and Bird Street Brewing out of Lemoore. Both breweries set up kegs just outside Centennial Plaza.

Joseph Soleno with 411 Ales and Spirits serves up two varieties of his prelude beer.

Joseph Soleno, the founder and owner of 411 brought the Prelude, a regular berlinerweisse, and a Prelude Raspberry berlinerweisse. The two selections are on the lighter side of the sour spectrum of beers that will be offered at the brewery when it opens in October.

“I chose these beers because I know a lot of people might be turned off by sours,” Soleno said.

Bird Street Brewing pours samples for craft beer crawlers.

Sticking with fruit, Bird Street offered three selections and I opted for the strawberry blonde. Like 411, Bird Street will also open its first taproom soon. But those wanting to try Bird Street now don’t have to wait for the Lemoore taproom’s grand opening because bottles are already being sold at Fresno’s Total Wine & More.

“We’ve been in business about three years,” Bird Street Brewing’s Phillip Wren said. “We were homebrewers and then we went commercial and our space was so small we couldn’t really open up to the public, so that is when we started bottling. We did it backwards. Most people open up a taproom first.”

Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl is Sunday

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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES

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If there’s a better way to end the summer than with a beer crawl, I sure don’t know what it is.

The Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl is happening Sunday, Aug. 27. This is a twice-yearly event, so if you miss this one, you’ll have to wait until next year to chat with local brewmasters as you taste their craft beers.

Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl

From 2 to 5:30 p.m., all your local brew favorites will be in one place, including 411 Ales & Spirits, Bird Street Brewing, Riley’s Brewing Co., Tactical Ops Brewing, Inc., and many more.

There also will be food trucks, corn hole, live music, and shopping at your favorite Old Town Clovis stores.

Check-in is on Pollasky Ave. near Fourth Street. Tickets are $35 when purchased in advance and $45 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased online or at one of the following Old Town locations: Heart’s Delight, Fifth Street Antiques or Dave Shivers State Farm Insurance. 

Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl

Ticket giveaway

We’re giving away two tickets to this fantastic event! Click here to enter. Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Must be 21 years old or older to enter. Deadline to enter is Friday, Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. PST.

Good luck!

Full Circle Brewing Co. in Fresno Has New Owners, New Energy

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Craig Scharton

I’m a weirdo. I’m a downtown revitalization, old neighborhood, old houses weirdo.

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Full Circle Brewing Co Fresno

Full Circle Brewing Co. unveiled its new logo in February. [photo: Full Circle Brewing Co.]

Full Circle Brewing Co. is a longtime business in downtown Fresno’s Chinatown that now has new owners and a new energy.

Arthur Moye moved to Fresno from San Jose ten years ago. He’s a Certified Public Accountant, but like many interesting people, he had a hobby he was passionate about — home brewing. When he first moved to Fresno, he decided to check into the local craft beer scene and visited Full Circle, never imagining he’d sell his accounting firm to his partner in order to own and operate the place.

When Full Circle’s former owners put the craft beer business and property up for sale, Arthur and several other downtown enthusiasts decided to invest together. Arthur was already engaged in downtown revitalization having moved his firm downtown, getting involved with Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals and joining the board of the Downtown Fresno Foundation. Arthur and his new partners could see the changes happening in downtown and wanted to be an integral part of revitalization.

Full Circle Brewing Co Fresno

Full Circle’s interior has a much more open space thanks to renovations made to the bar. [photo: Full Circle Brewing Co.]

Full Circle is focused on making great beer and creating a fun environment through entertainment and events. They started by hiring experienced local brew master Mike Sumaya, and have upgraded their equipment and are dramatically expanding their production capabilities.

Their beers are getting rave reviews, especially the Juicy, a Northeast IPA, and Cluster Fuggle, a cream ale that’s brilliantly clear, light, and crisp – an ale version of an American Lager. These styles are gaining in popularity on the West Coast and Full Circle has been ramping up to keep up with demand.

Full Circle doesn’t have its own kitchen, but they do host food trucks and other local restaurants and catering companies to fill the need. So far, every one of them has been a hit and they seem to specialize in the authentic, whether it’s tacos or barbecue.

One of the really fun and unusual aspects of the Full Circle facility is that they have their own permanent roller derby track. That’s right, they practice, and have matches and tournaments on the Slab. Having watched roller derby at my grandmother’s house many decades ago, it was a treat to watch families and fans cheering for their teams. It’s really something to see. I know some of the ladies who play and they love it. They also have live concerts in the side yard and have hosted a few craft and vendor fairs.

Full Circle’s beers are starting to pop up around town, which is happening even faster than the owners dreamed. You can currently find their beers at: Rocket Dog, House of Juju, Craft Beer Wine Bistro, Cigar Mas Fino, Pita Kebab Gastropub-Downtown Visalia, and they even made it into the Fresno Airport!

Full Circle Brewing Co Fresno

Roller Derby at Full Circle Brewing Co. [photo: Full Circle Brewing Co.]

Brew U: Craft Beer 101

Recently, Fresno State’s Continuing and Global Education launched a downtown Fresno campus inside of Bitwise South Stadium, and they’ve announced a Craft Beer 101 class that will eventually become a multi-class certificate program. The folks from Full Circle will be teaching the course in the Bitwise classroom and at the brewery. The first class was announced at the Downtown Fresno Partnership’s State of Downtown event and was completely sold out within days! (Learn more about Brew U in this video.)

When you head to Chinatown to check out Full Circle Brewing Co., I’d recommend you also visit Central Fish Company and Chef Paul’s Cafe while you’re there. Central Fish Company is a restaurant, an Asian grocery store, and a fish market (the fish at your favorite sushi restaurant comes from Central Fish). And Chef Paul is a Fresno legend whose food will make your soul feel good.

Visit Full Circle Brewing Co.

Hours: Wednesday through Friday: 4:00-11:00 p.m.
Saturday noon to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 6:00 p.m.

Location: 620 F Street, Fresno, CA 93706

Follow Full Circle on Facebook, Twitter, and on their website.

Here Are 10 Ways to Celebrate National Beer Day in Fresno This Weekend

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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES

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National Beer Day is Friday, April 7, and you know how much FresYes.com likes to turn a made-up food/drink holiday into a big deal (See: Pizza | Margarita | Pi)

Beer is already a huge deal in these parts, and getting huger by the day. So, I thought I’d give you some options for celebrating, and not just on Friday. I have a feeling many of you will want to keep this celebration going before Friday and throughout the weekend.

Thus, here are 10 ways to celebrate National Beer Day in and around Fresno this weekend.

Thursday

National Beer Day events

1. Fresno Grizzlies Opening Day

What goes better than beer and baseball, right? Head out to Chukchansi Park Thursday evening to watch the Fresno Grizzlies start their 20th season by taking on the Reno Aces, and enjoy Happy Hour, where you can get a 12-oz. beer, hamburger, and fries for $5 from 6:05 p.m. to first pitch. [Details, Tickets]

2. Arts & Hops at the Beer Garden

The Fresno County Farm Bureau is turning 100 this year and will celebrate at Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. during its inaugural Arts & Hops event, which ties in to the monthly downtown Art Hop. The event is 5-11 p.m. and will feature music and food from Taco Jaliscience, Smokehouse Catered Meats, and Fatte Albert’s Pizza. [Details]

3. BC’s Pizza & Beer 20th Anniversary Bash

The Grizzlies aren’t the only ones celebrating 20 years. BC’s Pizza & Beer in Clovis will be serving up free pizza from 5-6 p.m., and will do a special toast at 6:30 p.m. featuring Firestone Walker Brewing’s 20th Anniversary Ale. They also will tap a few rare, limited release drafts just for the special occasion. [Details]

Friday

4. Rocket Dog Brats & Brew

Rocket Dog Brats & Brew will celebrate National Beer Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with local craft beers on tap. Customers will be able to vote for their favorite craft beer, and the winning craft beer company will receive a Rocket Dog National Beer Day Trophy and $350 donation to the nonprofit organization of their choice. Confirmed local beers on tap include Tactical Ops, Pine and Palm, Pendragon, Tioga-Sequoia, Two Dudes, and Full Circle. “A Taste of Fresno” Flights, one beer from each of the six local brewers, will be available for $6.99. Rocket Dog will be giving away free pint glasses to the first 100 customers. [Details]

5. Free Horror Movie Night & Potluck

What goes better than beer and horror? Okay, baseball, but this is a good combo, too. Bring a dish for the group and you can participate in the Central Valley Horror Club’s potluck taking place at Full Circle Brewing Co. Friday at 8:30 p.m. The movie? Sometimes They Come Back. The beer? Cold and delicious. [Details]

Saturday

National Beer Day events

6. Cornhole Tour Fresno: Cornhole Tournament

All skill levels are welcome in this tournament. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Full Circle Brewing Co. Grab a partner, grab a beer, and do some cornholin’. [Details]

7. Selma Craft Beer Fest

Head to Pioneer Village in Selma Saturday from 2-6 p.m. for the Selma Craft Beer Fest featuring local craft breweries Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., Riley’s Brew Pub, Full Circle Brewing Co., Mad Duck Brewing, Fortiter Brewing Co., Zack’s Brewing Company, Fresno’s home brew club San Joaquin Worthogs, and TCHOPS home brew club. The event is to raise money for Selma’s Cancer Support. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $10 for non-drinkers. [Details]

8. House of Pendragon 4th Anniversary

Saturday from noon to midnight, House of Pendragon in Clovis and its brewery in Sanger will celebrate the brewer’s 4th anniversary. Both locations will be serving the same beers on tap and have anniversary glasses on sale. The Clovis tasting room will have Pita Kabob on hand, and Sanger will have Dapper Dog serving up gourmet hotdogs. [Details]

Sunday

National Beer Day events

9. Yoga & Beer

This all-levels vinyasa flow yoga class will take place Sunday from 3-4 p.m. at Full Circle Brewing Co. It will be guided by 500-hour certified local teacher, Ali Thurner, and after (or during) the relaxing and mindful class, everyone will enjoy a beer (or craft root beer) and some snacks, which are included in the $20 package. A portion of every package sold will go directly to benefit Fresno non-profit organization, Homeless In Fresno/HIF. [Details]

10. Herbs & Beers

If yoga and beer isn’t your scene, perhaps planting and beer is. Class takes place Sunday from 2-3:45 p.m. at Gazebo Gardens Nursery and includes the pot, three herbs of your choice, and aluminum markers. Also includes your first ice-cold craft beer, and expert instruction and support from in-house chef/MC/personality, Brian Guerrero-Buchheim. Taqueria Jaliscience will be there with food. Class is limited 40 people, cost is $25 in advance or $30 day of event. [Details]

Have a safe and fun National Beer Day, all.