Almanac Beer Co. & Admiral Maltings Launch Alameda Harvest Celebration this Weekend! Join the Fun! GalleryAlmanac Beer Co. & Admiral Maltings Launch Alameda Harvest Celebration this Weekend! Join the Fun!
After Hours, Alameda, Alameda After Hours, Alameda Community Events, Alameda Headlines, Alameda News
Almanac Beer Co. & Admiral Maltings Launch Alameda Harvest Celebration this Weekend! Join the Fun!
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27 – 12noon -9pm
WHERE: 651 W. Tower Ave. in Alameda – all around Almanac Beer Co. and Admiral Maltings neighboring homes
WHAT: Inaugural Alameda Harvest Celebration at The Point!
- Neighbors Almanac Beer Co. and Admiral Maltings team up to host a weekend-long showcase of the island’s bounty from more than a dozen Alameda based companies and purveyors
- Experience Alameda Point and enjoy all that Alameda Island has to offer as it has evolved into a haven for craft beer, wine, spirits, coffees and fabulous food.
- Benefit the homeless! A portion of proceeds will benefit the Alameda Point Collaborative, a local nonprofit working to end homelessness in the Bay Area.
- Kid- friendly and wheelchair accessible
- Dog-friendly dogs on leash welcomed!
- Admission is free!
- Food & beverages are pay-as-you-go.
- Free map – a curated tour of the best places to eat, drink, stay & play in Alameda
- RSVP on Facebook here and follow #alamedaharvest on Instagram
Who’s Showing Up?
Bands – Live Music Both Days!
- Saturday: 1pm-4pm – Snap Jackson & The Knock on Wood Players
- Sunday: 1pm-4pm – Jinx Jones Trio
Alameda’s Finest Libations & Artisanal Food Purveyors:
- Admiral Maltings
Co-host Admiral Maltings produces premium quality freshly kilned malt sourced from sustainable barley, rye and other grains from the Sacramento Valley, using traditional floor-malting. Over 500 unique, new beers have been brewed with Admiral’s top-shelf malt varieties. - Almanac Beer Company
Co-host Almanac, launched in 2011, set out to brew beers inspired by California’s rich agricultural bounty. Their motto, Farm to Barrel, reflects their passion for brewing barrel-aged beers that showcase ingredients from CA farms. Varieties span the gamut from delicate oak-aged lagers, to nuanced barrel-aged sours, decadent stouts, and of course, hazy IPAs. - Alameda Island Brewing
- Alameda Point Craft Soda Company
- Building 43 Winery
- Burnt Ends BBQ
- Devout Coffee
- Faction Brewing
- Hangar 1 Vodka
- Rock Wall Wine Company
- Scolari’s Good Eats
- Squabisch Pretzels
- St. George Spirits
- Urban Legend Cellars
About Alameda Point Collaborative , beneficiary of the event
The Alameda Point Collaborative‘s mission is working to end homelessness by providing housing and services to create communities where formerly homeless families and individuals can flourish. In 1999, APC transformed vacant military housing on the former Alameda Naval Air Station into a supportive housing community. APC now provides over 500 formerly homeless residents with the safety and stability of a place to call home. APC has also created social enterprise businesses including Farm2Market and Ploughshares Nursery.
Blues & Jazz on the East Shore of the Bay
In search of the best clubs for Blues & Jazz along the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, we asked
Jeff Tauber on sax
Saxophonist Jeff Tauber for his advice and got the whole story. Some clubs are listening rooms and others are bars and lounges. Easy links to their websites will get you to their music calendars.
Ashkenaz – is still happening at 1317 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley. African, Blues, Hip Hop, Reggae, World Beat and other genres. Ashkenaz is dedicated to providing dance and music from traditional cultures all around the world, featuring local and international bands.
the backroom – 1984 Bonita Ave in Downtown Berkeley – books all acoustically-based genres, including Jazz, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Americana and more. It’s an intimate, comfortable venue with no food or drink other than water or soft drinks. Adults can BYOB. Local musician Sam Rudin wants to keep the music venue small and comfy with a Steinway grand piano on stage and thrift shop overstuffed chairs below.
Britt Maries’ – 1369 Solano Ave in Albany – The owner is turning Britt Marie’s Wine Bar & Restaurant into a community music venue so local musicians have an opportunity to play and customers can enjoy a Jazz supper club type of venue, much like in the 1940s. Dancing also. Tauber on sax and Craig Browning on keys played there recently. They are two latter day jazz men committed to playing the songs the way they were written – soft, melodic and lyrical.
The Cheese Board Collective & Pizzeria (2 doors down) – 1504 and 1512 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley – Offers up Blues and Jazz and even during lunch! The Pizzeria backs up, but the line moves quickly. “Kickin’ the Mules Blues Band” plays there.
Chris’ Club – at 656 Benicia Road in Vallejo is dubbed the world’s best eclectic dive bar. Call (707) 552-2916 to find out when they will have a Blues Jam. They have live Music every Thursday, Sometimes on Friday and Saturday (Check their Facebook). Thursdays include Live Blues 7-11pm, with World Famous Do It Yourself NY Steak BBQ and BBQ Oyster Bar on the Back Patio.
Everett & Jones Barbecue, located at the entrance to Jack London Square at 126 Broadway in Oakland, hosts Saturday Night Blues from 9pm – 1am. On Fridays there are two venues: Q’s Lounge – 8pm-12midnight – a relaxed environment with the latest in live Soul and Jazz, up close and personal. Dotha’s Juke Joint – 9pm-12midnight – brings you down home live Blues in a funky-chic setting with a plate of the best BBQ in town. Check who’s been playing!
– A true neighborhood bar dating back to the 1940s. 860 San Pablo Ave in Albany – Blues & Funk. Open Mon – Sun 3pm –
Terrence Brewer
2am. Check out B-Side Cypher: We the People video talking about Session Tuesday jam.
The Ivy Room – A true neighborhood bar dating back to the 1940s, presents a variety of entertainment and a meeting place for the entire East Bay community. 860 San Pablo Ave in Albany – Blues & Funk. Open Mon – Sun 3pm – 2am.
Jupiter – a European-inspired beer house and premiere alternative Jazz venue at 2181 Shattuck Ave in Downtown Berkeley. A two-story lounge with a two-story beer garden, fire pits and heaters, Jupiter offers up handcrafted beers & ales along with wood-fired pizza, Jazz, Blues & Latin music. On Fridays they serve food until midnight!
The Sound Room – home of Bay Area Jazz & Arts at 2147 Broadway in Oakland. According to Tauber, some of best Bay Area musicians play here. Proceeds from their food and drink sales pay the rent and utilities and proceeds from ticket sales pay for the band and sound equipment. Of note – all of their wines are on some level, associated with Jazz.
Starry Plow – 3101 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley – is still going strong since the 70s with Grunge, Rock, Irish and Blues. Thursday nights are filled with Funk Soul, Hip Hop, Jazz and Latin music. Check out who has played there! Always the Revolutionary Irish watering hole, Starry Plow serves locally sourced pub-comfort food and lots of different beers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Yoshi’s – 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland’s Jack London Square – is at the top of Tauber’s list , having built a reputation for being one of the most respected Jazz Clubs in the Bay Area with great Japanese cuisine. It now can seat 310 people, yet still maintains its intimate vibe. They have expanded to include broader genres now to appeal to a variety of musical tastes, though you can always find Jazz and Blues on their calendar.
Editorial Note – one more: The 7th St. Cafe (the old Rev Cafe) is bringing BLUES back to the neighborhood at 1612 7th St in West Oakland. Karaoke Nights on Saturday at 8pm and Comedy on Sundays at 8pm. 7th St. Cafe features the 7th St. Blues Band and has Blues Jams often on Fridays and other nights. Call and find out what’s going on – (510) 444-7746.
Unfortunately Birdland Jazz has closed – Birdland Jazz (Birdland Jazzista Social Club) – 4318 Martin Luther King Jr Way in Oakland is open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays starting at 8pm (like the old Blues Clubs in West Oakland), featuring Jazz, Blues, Latin Jazz or Jazz Jams. They depend on volunteers and donations. Volunteer and become a Jazzista! Jeff Tauber, our club guide, plays at Birdland now and again. Another group that started in a garage in Berkeley, now has moved to Oakland. You have to read the history.
Tell us your favorite Blues and Jazz venues.
East Brother Beer Co. & Taproom Lauded by Residents & Tasters
Red Lager – light and tasty!
At a recent Saturday East Brother Beer Co. tasting at Cordial Bottle Shop in San Leandro, one group of tasters held the Bo Pils as ‘worthy.’ Others touted the Red Lager and Red IPA. It is hard to distinguish yourself in the crowded craft beer market these days, but this new beer company keeps it simple and sticks to the classics. Partners and friends, Rob Lightner & Chris Coomber have been making beer their entire adult lives and a few years ago decided to pour their knowledge and enthusiasm into their own brewery and taproom in Richmond.
Why did Richmond call out to them? “We only looked in Richmond,” says Chris, “because both Rob and I have roots here. It is centrally located, near where we live and has the right vibe. People working here contribute to that vibe. Making beer is hard work. The labor in this town is an important part of the history in Richmond – from the shipyards to the port to the oil industry. My grandfather worked at Chevron for 40 years and he was proud of Chevron and of Richmond. We decided on Richmond even before we went out looking for the right space.”
What was it about Richmond? “We felt so welcomed here,” continues Chris. “Richmond is real and made us feel really welcome. It was
easy.” Their beers are straight, easy beers in the classic style. And fitting into the Richmond ambience, the taproom is welcoming, simple and comfortable. “We are really happy,” comments Rob, “to be part of the slow but sure revitalization of Richmond – to be part of the energy here.” And Richmond is happy to have them.
“As a resident I am absolutely excited to have a taproom like this in Richmond that we can go to,” says Chad Smalley, Richmond resident. “I have been waiting for a place like this since I’ve been living here – for ten years.” Rob and Chris are pleased with the taproom visitors as they are people from all walks of life who come in to have a beer, listen to music, watch the game and have a bite to eat with their family and friends. The casual atmosphere inspires the vibe. They are family-friendly and dogs on leash are welcome! “We wanted to have a welcoming place for folks to come to and have welcoming and familiar beers to drink,” continues Rob.
The beer. Good Beer Hunting (their design company) said that when they sat down to talk about East Brother’s image they asked about the beers and breweries that inspired them “… there was a common element — timelessness, and a commitment to precision.” There is a lot of experimentation and innovation out there in the craft beer market. “We are not trying to do anything fancy,” says Rob. ” We are crafting well known traditional styles. We’re doing the same thing over and over again – striving for perfection. We want to have a diversity of lagers and ales.”
Chris thinks people are always looking for that clean aftertaste that makes you want to take another sip. EB is currently brewing five beers – Red Lager, Pale Wheat, Oatmeal Stout, Red IPA and Bo Pils. You can read more about the style of these beers here.
Today the Can Van, a woman-owned mobile canning service, arrived to set up operations to can EB’s Red IPA. They canned 2,640 beers or 110 cases, which was a lot for this new brewery. Breweries have returned to canning for several reasons according to Chris. Cans are better at protecting the beer from light and oxygen. The liners in cans have improved and there is no metallic taste. Though it currently is more expensive than bottling, you only have one item to recycle and you can just smash the can. Plus, you don’t need a bottle opener. Another plus is that aluminum keeps the beer cooler.
Curbside Burger
What’s there to eat?
Food trucks are at the taproom Wed. – Sun. On Thursdays Curbside Kitchen is there serving up Gourmet Filipino-American grub. Full menu here.
Sidewalk Fries
Taproom Hours:
- Wed. & Thurs. 4-8pm
- Fri. 4-9pm
- Sat. noon – 9pm
- Sun. noon-8pm
Where you can find East Brother Beer Co. beer:
- Albany Taproom — 745 San Pablo Ave, Albany
- Boo Koo — 25 Miller Ave, Mill Valley
- Cordial Bottle Shop — 1111 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro
- El Cerrito Natural Grocery — 10367 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
- Estudillo Produce — 1305 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro
- Last Spot Lounge — 1 Tewksbury Ave, Point Richmond
- Little Hill Lounge — 10753 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
- Mill Valley Market — 12 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley
- Northbrae Bottle Shop — 1590 Hopkins St, Berkeley
- Pt Richmond Market — 160 Washington Ave, Richmond
- Salute E Vita Ristorante — 1900 Esplanade Dr, Richmond
- Smoke — 2434 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley
- The Good Hop — 2421 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
- Up & Under — 2 West Richmond Ave, Point Richmond
- Zee’s Deli Wine & Spirits — 913 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Kentfield
East Brother Beer Co. is located at 1001 Canal Blvd in Richmond. (510)-230-4081. Location tip: When you see the first 1001 sign – note the arrow sending you straight
. Follow the signs past 1015 and turn right, following the 1001 signs with arrows into the parking lot and follow the lights to the front door. Enjoy!
The Backroom in Berkeley Presents Jazz Singer Faye Carol Every Sunday!
Just in from the Back Room…They are experimenting with Faye Carol performing every Sunday at 5pm. Join them to listen to one of the finest jazz singers who is a great entertainer with warmth and a voice you can’t help but fall in love with.
Faye Carol is one of the premier vocalists of her time. Her unique style and gift of connecting with her audience is astonishing. This Bay Area living legend is a recipient of countless awards and honors including:
- 2014 Bay Area Jazz Hero Award,
- 2016 City of Berkeley Lifetime Achievement Award,
- 2015 induction into the Oakland Blues Walk of Fame, and
- four Cabaret Gold Awards.
After beginning her career with gospel music, Ms. Carol was an integral part of Oakland’s innovative funk scene in the 1960s and later went on to form her own trio. She soon built a reputation as a daringly versatile and consistently creative vocal stylist arranging standards and popular songs in her own unique way.
She has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Albert King, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Billy Higgins, Charles Brown, Bobby Hutchinson and Pharaoh Sanders. Now established as a world-class artist at the top of her craft, she continues to dazzle and delight audiences at home and beyond. She will be accompanied by Joe Warner on piano.
“Faye Carol is one of the greatest singers on the planet…There is nobody singing the blues and jazz like she is.” – Charles Brown
(courtesy of The Backroom music event calendar
The Backroom – 1984 Bonita Ave in Downtown Berkeley – books all acoustically-based genres, including Jazz, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Americana and more. It’s an intimate, comfortable venue with no food or drink other than water or soft drinks. Adults can BYOB. Local musician Sam Rudin wants to keep the music venue small and comfy with a Steinway grand piano on stage and thrift shop overstuffed chairs below.
Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance or you may buy at the door the day of the show with no service fee. Doors open at 4pm.
