Beer Is Major in Micro Economics

For beer lovers who want to get out of town this weekend, the first Pacific Coast Beerfest is being held in Santa Barbara.

About 40 micro-breweries, including the Huntington Beach Beer Co., will offer about 120 beers from California, the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the country from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Las Positas Avenue and Highway 101.

“We’re trying to get across that fine micro-brewed beer is really no different than fine premium wine,” said Greg Turk, president of the GT Group, the organization managing the festival. “Once you have tried a premium beer, it’s hard to go back to the mass-produced American beers that we grew up with.”

Other participants include the Boston Beer Co., Solana Beach Brewery, Manhattan Beach Brewery and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

The festival also will feature three cooking-with-beer demonstrations, a presentation on “The Art of Brewing Microbrewery Beer” by Walter Scheurle, associate brewmaster for Samuel Adams, two live bands and food.

Admission each day is $15 ($5 for designated drivers), and tasting is $1 per three-ounce sample. A souvenir glass and program will be included with admission.

For information, call (310) 207-6904.