On a cold, breezy night that marked the end of the latest heat wave, and the summer season, guests from around the Bay Area gathered on the rooftop of the Tech Museum in downtown San Jose for the latest edition of the Content LAB series, “Beer LAB.”
The rooftop setting provided a unique view of the downtown area, as well as the hills on the horizon to the west. DJ Chale Brown of The Changing Same collective of producers and DJs set an inviting mood to the event through his selection of soul and R&B hits remixed with contemporary tracks.
The guests returned time and again to the bar for the flavorful beers on tap, provided by Camino Brewing Company, and nearby they screenprinted their own drink coasters with the help of the School of Visual Philosophy. Guests debated which of the two beers on tap were better: the explosion of flavors in the Bohemian Pilsner or the rich notes of the Café con Leche Stout.
Once the guests were settled in, The Cultivator Daniel Garcia welcomed everyone, made a quick joke, and introduced the first speaker of the night, Craig Carroll from Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, last year’s Geektoberfest Golden Beaker Winner. Carroll discussed the different kinds of beer, from ales to milk stouts, and everything it takes to go from idea to bottled product–all with a glass of beer in his hand.
Next, guests were treated to a mouth-watering assortment of food pairings provided by Organicopia and were guided through the experience by Steve Vandewater from Uproar Brewing Company, who explained why certain foods were paired with certain beers. Chili turkey and chorizo stuffing was paired with Bellpenny Brewing Company’s inaugural beer, ESB, or Extra Special Bitter. Espresso chocolate truffle was paired with Half Moon Bay Brewing’s Coffee with Milk Stout. Different styles of beer provided by Uncommon Brewers, Half Moon Bay Brewing, Uproar, and Camino Brewing paired deliciously with the rest of the entrees.
Vandewater wanted everyone to learn how to enjoy beer more. A great beer experience includes everything from understanding the different flavors of beer to serving it in glassware that encourages an appreciation of the aroma of beer.
Singer-songwriter Chris Reed closed out the night with a live performance as guests socialized over food and drink before making their way down to explore the rest of The Tech Museum and Geektoberfest in the floors below.
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Written by Francisco Alvarado Photography by Christina Olivas
Thank you to event partners: The Tech Museum, Swanson Family, BioCurious, Uproar Brewing Company, Organicopia, Bellpenny Brewing Company, Uncommon Brewers, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Blue Oak Brewing Company, Camino Brewing Company, Bank of America, Tabrizi Productions, Tommy Aguilar aka “Chale Brown” of Universal Grammar, Chris Reed, SOSKIphoto, and Michael Borja.
Beer LAB Recap On a cold, breezy night that marked the end of the latest heat wave, and the summer season, guests from around the Bay Area gathered on the rooftop of the Tech Museum in downtown San Jose for the latest edition of the Content LAB series, “Beer LAB.”
