Written by Kevin Quandt & Kevin Raos //
Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival //
Golden Gate Park – San Francisco
August 9th-11th, 2013 //
For the first time last year, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in SF’s Golden Gate Park introduced “Beer Lands”, a heavenly oasis for brew aficionados and party animals alike. Beer Lands is back for this year’s fest, taking place from August 9th-11th, and the stable of California brewers has somehow grown stronger.
So it got us thinking, with such delicious local brew options (something that virtually no other festival curates … ahem, Coachella), what would be the ideal adult beverage to enjoy during some of our favorite acts?
Indica IPA by Lost Coast Brewery for Willie Nelson // “How’s the glaucoma?”
Nothing will go straight to your head like some Willy Nelson and Indica IPA by Humbolt county’s Lost Coast Brewery. Based in Eureka, Lost Coast brewery has been a staple in the Northern California beer scene since 1986, producing such favorites as Great White, Downtown Brown and Indica IPA. One dose of the Red Headed Stranger washed down with some Indica IPA and you’ll be hanging out with Ranger Dave in the forest after the set. Don’t forget to bring a towel, as you’ll be foaming from the mouth from these delicious beers. -KR
Back in Black IPA from 21st Amendment for NIN // “Dark, rare and slightly dangerous”
21st Amendment Brewery has been churning out some seriously amazing beers over their short history in the shadow of AT&T Park, and Back in Black IPA was lucky enough to make the jump from spout to can, an honor only held by a few of their brews. Don’t be too scared off by the darkness of this beer, as it can go down smooth, sometimes too smooth. So, if you are feeling no pain and need to let off some steam, then Trent Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails headline set is sure to suit the dark beer drinker in all of us. Though the NIN lineup is still in sway after some personnel changes, this set is sure to be the most hardcore of the weekend, so expect moshing, headbanging and the possibility of some scattered mayhem to beloved songs such as “Head like a Hole” and “March of the Pigs”. -KQ
Drake’s Denogginizer Imperial IPA for Pretty Lights // “Mind-melting goodness”
Mix a little Denogginizer Imperial India Pale Ale with little Pretty Lights and your noggin will be rockin’ in no time. Hold onto your head – the bass notes will hit as hard as this mind-melting brew that boasts an ABV of 9.75%. An East Bay beer titan, Drake’s Brewery has been making quite a name for themselves by putting out some of the best beers in the bay. Classics such as 1500 Pale Ale and their Kölsch-Style Blonde Ale anchor a seasonal beer selection that is constantly rotating. Like Pretty Lights’ beats, you might not know what your getting into, but you know it’ll be good. -KR
Honey Saison from Almanac Beer for Jessie Ware // “Sweet but complex”
Almanac Beer Company is another reasonably new brewery in San Francisco whose emphasis is on small batch farm-to-table beers utilizing local producers for the bulk of their ingredients. After only 3 years in the beverage industry, Almanac has crafted some seriously impressive, and environmentally honorable, beverages including a Bier de Chocolat, an Extra Pale Ale with local Mandarin oranges and a celebrated Honey Saison. The latter will likely be on tap this August as this sweet, complex adult beverage is sure to go down smooth while enjoying the neo-R&B powerhouse that is Jessie Ware. Her contemporary sound touches on many genres with one constant; her powerful vocals that cut through so cleanly. She’s already started a successful festival season and is sure to garner more fans at Outside Lands. -KQ
Urban People’s Common Lager by Linden Street Brewery for The Head and the Heart // “Familiar and friendly”
Linden Street Brewery is going back to the roots of brewing, paying homage to the once bustling Oakland brewing scene of the pre-prohibition days. Differentiating themselves from the “West Coast” style ales, Linden Street is replicating “Old California Style” lagers brewed the way European immigrants did it during the Gold Rush. Their flagship beer, the Urban People’s Common Lager, has it’s own unique flavor while still honoring the tradition of all those that have come before. The Head and the Heart, like the Common Lager, have a comfort to them that traces it’s lineage to the folk rock roots of Americana. They might not be that big of a name yet, but they are friendly, easy going and will never do you wrong. This is a great pairing, especially in the afternoon sun – if the fog decides to subside. -KR
California Lager by Anchor Brewing for The Soft White Sixties // “SF originals you can win with”
Anchor Brewing is the quintessential SF brewery and is well regarded among locals and out-of-towners, alike. Almost 120 years of brewing experience has led to a string of successful beers over the past century, most recently released is the California Lager, which many attendees are hopeful to imbibe at Beer Lands in the coming months. What better nod to the local brewery and their tasty new creation than enjoying one, or two, during local breakout band The Soft White Sixties. The distinct golden hue and creamy head should pair perfectly with a breezy summer set of the Sixties’ patented soul-drenched Cali-rock. A recent sold out record release show not far from Golden Gate Park is a sure sign this set will be highly attended. -KQ
Big Daddy by Speakeasy Ales & Lagers for Paul McCartney // “Who’s your daddy?”
Sir Paul McCartney, arguably one of the biggest acts in live music right now, and one of the biggest song writers of all time, is headlining the biggest music festival in the Bay Area this year. The ultimate ‘big daddy’, Paul McCartney pairs too perfectly with the robust citrusy hops of Big Daddy IPA from Speakeasy Brewery in San Francisco. Familiar, kind and good for almost any occasion, you can’t go wrong with either Big Daddy IPA or Mr. McCartney. Don’t know what to listen to? Put on the Beatles. Don’t know what to drink? Make it a Big Daddy. -KR
Check out 10 sets you won’t want to miss this year at Outside Lands.
Drake’s Denogginizer-Hold onto your head