More than 30 breweries from the Inland Empire and beyond are expected to participate in the Inland Empire Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival, set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at The Shops at Dos Lagos, 2780 Cabot Drive, Corona.
Participating Inland Empire breweries include 8 Bit Brewing Company, 3 Iron Brewing Co., Aftershock Brewing Co., Black Market Brewing Co., Brew Rebellion, Brewcaipa Brewing Company, Craft Brewing Company, Coachella Valley Brewing Co., Desert Barn Brewery, Euryale Brewing Company, Garage Brewing Co., Hamilton Family Brewery, Inland Empire Brewing Company, Inland Wharf Brewing Co., Ironfire Brewing Company, Kings Brewing Company, Main Street Brewery, Oak Hills Brewing Co., Off the Grid Brewing Company, Packinghouse Brewing Co., Refuge Brewery, Rescue Brewing Co., Route 30 Brewing Co., Sandbox Brewing Company, Skyland Ale Works, Sons of Liberty Aleworks, Stadium Pizza, Stone Church Brewing, Storytellers Brewery and Meet House, TAPS Fish House and Brewery, Temecula Brewing Company, Tusk Brewing, Wiens Brewing Co. and Wicks Brewing.
Tickets ($35, plus a $3.77 service fee if purchased online, or $40 at the door) include a commemorative Inland Empire Brewers Guild pint glass and unlimited 4-ounce pours.
The event will feature two special collaboration beer releases — “Empire Pale Ale” and “Empire IPA ” — created by the guild brewers that have the same grain and hop mix, but different yeast strains.
The event will also feature live music by Kings of Rhythm, a cornhole tournament, food and other vendors, and a cigar lounge.
A portion of proceeds will benefit All-American Riders, a non-profit organization which focuses on assisting local veterans.
More brewery winners
Five Inland Empire breweries have won a total of seven medals at this year’s San Diego International Beer Competition.
Garage Brewing Co. in Temecula — which recently took home six awards from the Los Angeles International Beer Competition — leads the pack with three medals, while the others got one each.
Here’s what they won for:
- Garage Brewing Co.: Gold, Fruit Beer (Tangerine Deuce Coupe DIPA); Silver, Chocolate and Chili Beer (Hatch Chile IPA); and Bronze, Herb & Spice Beer (Spiced Coconut Porter).
- Ritual Brewing Co.: Gold, Barleywine (Fat Hog Barleywine).
- Last Name Brewing: Silver, Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Stout (Nom De Famille).
- Claremont Craft Ales: Bronze, Imperial Red Ale (Happy Days).
- Ironfire Brewing Company: Bronze, Irish-Style Red Ale (Killarney’s Irish Red).
Chipotle fundraiser
You can help fight a rare genetic disease — Fanconi anemia — affecting at least one Inland Empire family, and all you have to do is eat a burrito.
The Colonies Crossroads Chipotle, 1053 E. 19th St. Suite A, Upland, is hosting a fundraiser for the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund from 4-8 p.m. Monday, May 13.
Those with Fanconi anemia can have birth defects, developmental disabilities, and endocrine problems.
But that’s not all. The majority of those affected by the disease develop cancer, and 90% develop bone marrow failure — the inability to produce blood cells — by age 40.
In the year 2000, the typical lifespan of those with the disease was 30.
To help out, simply show up, let them know you’re there for the fundraiser and the restaurant will donate 33% of your total bill to Fanconi Anemia Research Fund.
Chili for charity
The fourth annual Regional International Chili Society Chili Cook-Off and 17th annual Cruise for Sight Car Show will take place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Sylvan Park, 601 N. University St., Redlands.
In addition to the car show and chili cook-off, there will be vendor booths and a DJ.
Prizes will be awarded for traditional red chili, chili verde, homestyle chili, and people’s choice.
Admission to the event is free. Chili tasting kits, which include a people’s choice ballot, are $5.
A full 100% of proceeds will support the free programs of the Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind.
Castaway sunset
This Sunday, May 12, is Mothers Day, and it might also be one of your last opportunities to dine at the Castaway Restaurant in San Bernardino.
The iconic restaurant, perched on Little Mountain, closed its dining room in April, but remains open as a special events venue, and has two final champagne brunch services scheduled: Mothers Day and Fathers Day, June 16.
The Castaway is at 670 N. Kendall Drive.
Roll with mom
So Mother’s Day is Sunday. What are you gonna get her?
Oh, there’s the usual flowers or candy, or treating her to a meal at her favorite restaurant.
How about teaching her how to make sushi?
RA Sushi is offering a Sushi and Sake 101 class on Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m.
RA’s culinary team will teach participants about sushi and guide them in making a California Roll, Tootsy Maki Roll, and tuna and salmon nigiri.
Guests will also enjoy sake flight pairings, edamame, and miso soup.
The cost of the class is $50 (plus $8.91 in taxes and fees if purchased online) per person.
Also, through Sunday, May 12, the chain is offering a $10 bonus gift card (valid May 13 through June 16) with the purchase of a $50 gift card.
RA Sushi has locations at The Shoppes at Chino Hills, 13925 City Center Drive, Unit 2065, and at The Shops at Dos Lagos, 2785 Cabot Drive, Unit 101.
Claremont closure
The folks behind Coates Fried Chicken & Burgers in Claremont announced on Instagram this week that the eatery’s last day will be Saturday, May 11.
The restaurant had gone through a number of changes since opening April 1, 2017 — perhaps that should have been an omen — as Grizzly’s Biscuits & Donuts, the Claremont Village’s sole doughnut shop.
It soon had to change its name to Grizzby’s due to a trademark dispute.
Then in late 2018, it closed briefly before reopening in January with a more lunch-friendly menu.
Coates is at 353 W. Bonita Ave.
The wait is almost over
We’ve been waiting patiently for the Inland Empire’s second Cracker Barrel Old Country Store to open, and that day is almost here.
The new location, 1080 W. Renaissance Parkway, Rialto, will open at 6 a.m. Monday, May 13.
