My Craft Brewery Pilgrimage is moving at full speed; we have already visited four of the six stops on this year’s list, and are headed to September and October stops in San Diego County!
We are pilgrims with a mission; actually, a few missions. Recognizing the strong historic connections between monastic life and brewing beer, and the significant contributions monks have made to brewing, I set out to explore those connections.
I am also committed to a life of leadership, monasticism, and revelry; a brewery pilgrimage just makes sense.
Southern California has a growing appreciation for craft brews, and I am exploring that. I always enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories in real life; this is a great, relaxed way to do that. And, we highlight a different nonprofit organization at each stop. Good beer for good causes!
The July and August Pilgrimage stops had fascinating similarities as well as exhilarating differences.
In July, the pilgrims arrived at the Noble Ale Works in Anaheim. Jerry Kolbly at Noble Ale Works extended great hospitality to us that was far above and beyond the call of duty. We had a personal tour of their entire operation, lots of information about their plans for the future, and plenty of excellent, well-hopped beer! I am already looking forward to my next visit. We also caught up with Rowan Mundhenk, who was back in California from his peacemaking work in Egypt.
In August, we headed to the Eastern frontier, the very edge of civilization, to visit Hangar 24 Brewery in Redlands. Hangar 24 is also a very popular, growing operation. We had a great tour there, and excellent beer. Their most popular brew is their Orange Wheat, although I prefer their Chocolate Porter. We highlighted the work of the Riverside Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT)’s own Operation Safehouse as our local nonprofit organization.
The Brewery Pilgrimage continues with a visit to Lost Abbey in San Marcos on Saturday, September 10, and one more monthly stop on Saturday, October 1.
I have begun preliminary planning for next year’s Craft Brewery Pilgrimage, and would appreciate hearing any suggestions you have. I may need to do some research over the next few months.
[Image by craigemorsels]
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