IPA Fest at Lucky Baldwins

That is right. While everyone else seems to be blogging about the new Bing search engine from Microsoft or about his/her opinions on Sonia Sottomayor, I have my heart set on the upcoming IPA Fest at Lucky Baldwins in Pasadena (13 June to 21 June). For those of you in Southern California, this is one of the best opportunities to taste some of the worlds best IPAs, even if the majority come from California. Lucky's has many festivals throughout the year, but there are really only two that I look forward to: The Belgian Beer Fest (you have to, its over 2 weeks long . . .) and the IPA Fest.

Why is the IPA Fest so special? There are very few bars that have more than 60 taps so as it is. And then, when you take 50 of them and pour only IPAs from them, now that is something special. That is something to mark on your calendar weeks, if not months, in advance. You might be thinking, so what, I have tried so many IPAs already I doubt that Luckys will have many that I have not tried?

Well, you should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking this. I go to all of the festivals at Lucky's and each time there are beers that either I am yet to try or, better yet, did not even know existed previously. Without a doubt, this will be the case again this time around. And, so what if you have already had Avery's Maharaja . . . its well worth trying it again (and its cheaper at the festival that anywhere else!). And, I am willing to be that the folks at Lucky's have been sitting on a keg of Pliny the Younger from Russian River . . . what more could you ask for in a festival!?

Anyhow, I plan to be trying many new beers starting this coming Saturday and then providing a detailed list with reviews for each and everyone shortly after each visit to the festival. And, if its like the last Belgian Beer Festival (I went 17 times in 16 days . . . and there were some days that I did not get to go!), there will be plenty to write about over the coming days!!!