Breweries, locals celebrate return of Sacramento Beer Week after two-year pause due to COVID-19
This comes at a time when Sacramento County's test positivity rate sits at around 3%.
This comes at a time when Sacramento County's test positivity rate sits at around 3%.
This comes at a time when Sacramento County's test positivity rate sits at around 3%.
The 13th annual Sacramento Beer Week is officially back in full swing.
The event was put on pause for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds celebrated its triumphant return during one of its main events Saturday afternoon: the Sac Mac and Beer Fest at River Walk Park.
Device Brewing was crowned the champion of the macaroni and cheese and beer pairing competition. But Device Brewing retail general manager Heather Vickers said the real win was being back in the community.
"It feels great to be able to have people come out and just enjoy themselves again, see their friends and family again and drink great craft beer,” Vickers said.
For Oak Park Brewing Company brewer Geoff Scott, the return of events like Sacramento Beer Week is also a way to boost business.
"It allows me to interact with consumers that come to our place that might not know about Oak Park and really push what we're about to them,” Scott said.
Some locals told KCRA 3 that is what they like about Sacramento Beer Week.
"We try to really think about which ones that we didn't know about and going and trying out their beers,” said Sacramento resident, Moriah Mayworth.
Big Stump Brewing Company on L Street is also participating in Sacramento Beer Week. They had their annual Street Fighter tournament on a classic Nintendo console on Saturday – the first time the competition was held in two years.
"It was so much fun. Everyone, they're great sportsmanship. Everyone was cheering everyone else on,” said Big Stump Brewing shift lead Marissa Taylor.
But as COVID-19 cases slightly start to rise on the East Coast and in San Francisco, should Sacramento County be concerned? Dr. Mark Vaughan, medical director at Auburn Medical Group, said we should be conscious of what is going on – but we should not be worried. That is especially because the latest numbers show the test positivity rate in Sacramento County is 2.9%.
"We have the BA.2 variant coming, which seems to not be more dangerous for individuals who get infected with it, compared to prior strains, just more contagious,” Vaughan said.
Locals attending Sacramento Beer Week events told KCRA 3 that they are taking each day, one sip at a time.
"I feel like as long as we're being mindful of what's happening in our area, looking at COVID levels, but also listening to the experts, and just being aware of what they might have to say, I think we'll be OK,” said Evan Brady.
Sacramento Beer Week is a 10-day event. Dozens of breweries, taprooms and restaurants are participating in the festivities.
| Read More | 13th annual Sacramento Beer Week kicks off after two-year pandemic hiatus