Photo by J.P. Crumrine
Paws for Rhythm and Brews, the first Animal Rescue Friends of Idyllwild beer festival, is Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Idyllwild Nature Center. Thirteen craft beer and cider brewers will be featured that day.
During the festival, results of a home brewers competition will be announced. Submissions may be made through May 24 and judging will occur May 31 by the Coachella Valley Brewery. Judges are members of the American Home Brewers Association. The contest has more than 28 categories, including cider and mead. Also, a best-of-the-festival brew will be awarded.
The Coachella Valley Home Brewers Club also will demonstrate home brewing during the day.
“It’s a brand new festival and we’re hoping it grows bigger every year,” said Robert Hewitt, one of the event’s organizers. “Thirteen craft brewers the first year is awesome.”
At 1 p.m., the Forest Lumber stein-holding contest will begin. There is a $10 entry fee, but entrants receive a special mug and the beer in the mug, and the winner earns a trophy. If two or more women enter, they will compete separately, said Janice Murasko, who, with husband Hewitt, planned and organized the ARF fund-raising event.
The winner is the person who can hold a full stein of beer out from their body with their arm parallel to the ground for the longest. “If any beer is spilt, it’s an automatic out,” she said and added that the world record is 20 minutes and 19 seconds.
Shuttle service from the Town Monument and Idyllwild School will be available for attendees. Shuttles service, sponsored by Palm Springs Subaru, will begin running from and to town at 10:15 a.m.
Shuttles also will be available from and to the Nature Center parking lots to the festival.
Super 300 Swing Loaded Blues will provide music throughout the day.
Several food vendors also will offer refreshments, including Big Dev from San Diego, familiar to Jazz in the Pines attendees.
Tickets may be purchased at www.arfbeerfest.com. In advance, for $25, the ticket gains admission, a commemorative beer glass and 10 4-ounce pours. On June 6, the day of Paws for Rhythm and Brews tickets will be $30. At the festival, additional tasting tickets may be purchased.
Admittance for non-drinkers is $5. For those who prefer other libations, wine and cider will be available.
Libations available at the 2015 Paws for Rhythm and Brews
Ace Craft Ciders
Angry Orchard
Bailey Vineyard
Brew Rebellion
Coachella Valley
Coronado Brewing Company
La Quinta Brewing
White Labs
Mike Hess Brewing
Ritual Brewing
Samuel Adams
Stone Brewing Company
The Traveler Beer Company (Vt)
