Brew la la

It’s generally not legal to drink along the banks of Sacramento-area rivers. Saturday, it will not only be allowed, but also encouraged: It’s time again for the annual West Coast Brew Fest. Taking place in Miller Park along the Sacramento River, the 12th annual festival will feature more than 120 different craft brews, live music and food vendors.

Unlike last week’s Raley Field Brewfest, the festival is an all-you-can drink affair. A $30 pre-paid ticket ($40 at the door) includes entrance to the event, a special tasting cup and access to all the samples you can handle. Barbecue, hot dogs and Mexican food will be available to purchase to complement the tasty fizzy liquid in your beer belly. The festival is a family affair, with kids and pets welcome (though they’re not allowed to sample the beers). Additionally, it is a competition, so award winners will be announced in categories such as stout, wheat, ale, lager and cider.

The catch is, after 3,000 tickets are sold, the festival stops admitting any more. So make sure to check out www.westcoastbrewfest.com and buy your tickets early. It happens Saturday, May 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Miller Park, 2790 Marina View Drive.