A beer by any other name
Standard beer, pretzels not included.
The Sacramento Brewing Company is hosting a barley-wine-tasting event. Now, before you don your beret and set out for an evening of chardonnay and toothpick- skewered cheese cubes, let me explain that barley wine is not exactly wine. In California, any beverages that contain more than 3.99 percent alcohol by volume cannot legally be called “beer.” This explains the proliferation of porters, stouts, ales and the ever-popular malt liquor. So, when the Sacramento Brewing Company makes its strongest winter beverage (with more than 7 percent alcohol content), the brewery has to call it a “barley wine.” And when the SBC wants you to taste its newest barley wine and compare it with samples from previous years and with barley wines from other breweries, the brewery throws a barley- wine-tasting party. Taste your fill from 4 p.m. until midnight. The kitchen will be open all evening, and soft drinks will be available for the designated drivers. Be sure you have one (a designated driver, not a soda) because the 2002 Babylon Barleywine is a strong brew. The Sacramento Brewing Company is located at 2713 El Paso Lane. Call 485-4677 for more information.
